Blog Archives - Faith is the Evidence

Faith is the Evidence

Shocker Alert!! Some Of Us Need To Forgive God

8/29/2020

Before you get too excited and call me a heretic, an unbeliever, a turncoat, or worse, hear me out. Read this post and then I think you'll understand what I'm talking about, and maybe you'll forgive me and then forgive yourself.

When something bad happens in our lives, the lives of our loved ones, our friend, our church family, a natural disaster where there is loss of life and property, or as is going on today, police brutality, racism, racial injustice, and finally a global pandemic, we often ask, "How could God let this happen?" Life’s disappointments produce a sense of sadness resulting from our unfulfilled expectations. One moment we are celebrating life, and the next moment we feel knocked across the face by unexpected disappointments. Here’s another one of our favorites, “God is trying to tell us something” as if God is the one causing these things.

I'll let you in on a not too well kept secret God is not your enemy!

God's intentions and actions toward you are always good.

1 John 1:5 CEV Jesus told us God is light and doesn't have any darkness in him. Now we are telling you.

James 1:17 NCV Every good action and every perfect gift is from God. These good gifts come down from the Creator of the sun, moon, and stars, who does not change like their shifting shadows.

You can trust that God always has your best interest at heart.

Proverbs 3:5‭-‬6 NLT Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

God is good all the time. He doesn't change back and forth from good to bad and back again.

Psalm 118:1 ESV Oh give thanks to the Lord , for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

It's the devil who wants you to believe that the bad stuff is God’s fault or that he allowed it or God doesn’t care or he’s mad at you or he’s just not paying attention.

The devil knows that if you’re mad at God, he’s got you separated from the only one that can really help! When tough times come that's not the time to be mad with God. I know that we often do, and I admit that I've been there. I've been mad at God. But think about it, that is definitely not the time to get mad and "let go of God".

There is an easy way to tell if something came from God or the devil.

John 10:10 ESV The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

That makes it crystal clear. If there is stealing, killing, or destroying happening, it’s the devil’s doing, not God’s.

Now do you see what I mean when I said "Some of us need to forgive God?" In retrospect maybe I should have said "Some of us need to ask God to forgive us for ever doubting him"; but if I said that you may have never read this post.

Agape Is Kind

8/28/2020

Just as people in offices, factories, government, and military, wear badges to show that they belong there we as Christians have a badge too. Our badge is love. Wear the badge of love proudly so that the world can see that you belong to Christ.

1 Corinthians 13:4‭-‬7 NIV Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

There are three major kinds of love identified by three Greek words; eros, phileo, and agape.

We are most familiar with eros love, or romantic love.

As its name indicates, eros is passionate or sexual love (eros is the source of the English word erotic). The second major kind of love is phileo the Greek word for friendship love.

Philio refers to brotherly love and is most often exhibited in a close friendship. Best friends will display this generous and affectionate love for each other as each seeks to make the other happy.

Agape is the most powerful, noblest type of love. Agape is sacrificial love. Agape love is more than a feeling—it is an act of the will. This is the kind of love that can be commanded and controlled or directed by the mind and will of the person who chooses to love.

This is the love that God has for His people and that prompted the sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus, for our sins.

Agape Is Always Kind

If you and I are to be truly loving, we must live a lifestyle of kindness.

Ephesians 4:32 ESV Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

It has been said that “kindness is a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see.

Are you kind to others?

Jesus was always kind. He expressed kindness at the wedding in Cana, when he turned the water into wine so that the bride and groom wouldn't be embarrassed because they ran out of wine.

John 2:1‭-‬10 ESV On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”

He was kind to the widow of Nain, when He resurrected her son.

Luke 7:11‭-‬15 ESV Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.

He was kind to the big crowds he fed, more than 5,000 on one occasion and more than 4,000 on another;

He was kind to his mother by providing for her while he was hanging on the cross,

John 19:26‭-‬27 ESV When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

And He was kind to the thief hanging on the cross next to him.

Luke 23:42‭-‬43 ESV And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise."

Living a life of love marked by kindness is one aspect of living in a way that pleases God.

Kindness

All people deserve kindness no matter the differences, viewpoints, or cultures. Kindness celebrates others and serves when there is a need. It looks out for the well-being of others and shows compassion when needed. It assists others and shows courtesy and benevolence to anyone. Kind people do not display animosity, ill will, or envy toward others.

Kindness is characterized by benevolence and tenderness. A kind person is disposed to help others and to do so with sympathy and consideration. Godly love will make a person kinder. No one can be loving and unkind at the same time.

1 John 4:8 ESV Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

That means God is kind. God’s kindness leads to repentance.

Romans 2:4 ESV Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

God's kindness leads to salvation

Romans 11:22 ESV Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.

The ultimate expression of God’s kindness is in His grace in Jesus.

Ephesians 2:4‭-‬8 ESV But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

May God help us to be kind at all times. Were you kind to that person in the line at the today that didn't have quite enough money to pay for their groceries? How about that homeless person you saw yesterday or maybe even this morning?

Look to the cross. See the kindness and mercy that Christ perfectly showed in His ultimate sacrifice for us.

Love is kind. May the Lord fill us with His love so that we might be kinder, more forgiving people for His glory.

Prayer The Key To Enduring Crisis

8/26/2020

Editor's Note: Pastor Rick Warren recently published a devotional series on prayer being the key to enduring any crisis and we have many today; COVID-19, racial injustice, the senseless shooting of African American men and women, police brutality, political division, financial uncertainty, natural disasters, dishonesty and greed at all levels of governments, divisions in the church, and that's not all. Prayer is the way to endure all of them. This post is excerpts from Pastor Warren's devotional series.

Step One in Crisis: Listen and Let God Speak

“It was the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede, the son of Ahasuerus, who became king of the Babylonians. During the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from reading the word of the LORD, as revealed to Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years” (Daniel 9:1-2 NLT).

Prayer is the key to enduring any crisis.

We can learn a lot from Daniel and his prayer life. As an old man when the time came closer for the Israelites to return to their homeland, Daniel knew his people were not ready. The Israelites still did not have a right relationship with God. This grieved Daniel, so he prayed.

His prayer in Daniel 9 provides six important pieces about how to pray in a way that God answers during a crisis. We’ll look at each of these six steps over the next few days.

First, you let God speak to you before you speak to him.

You need to hear the voice of God. He will always make the first move in your life. He never expects you to do something he doesn’t do first. The Bible says we love God because he first loved us. We serve him because he first served us.

God initiates. Then, we respond.

So how do you listen to God? You read the Bible. We talk to God because he first talked with us through his Word.

Daniel did this: “It was the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede, the son of Ahasuerus, who became king of the Babylonians. During the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from reading the word of the LORD, as revealed to Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years” (Daniel 9:1-2 NLT).

You will never pray effectively until you study Scripture and listen to God. The more you know the Bible, the more effective your prayers will be.

You will never pray effectively until you study Scripture and listen to God. The more you know the Bible, the more effective your prayers will be.

Step Two in Crisis: Focus and Seek God

“I love those who love me, and those who seek me will find me” (Proverbs 8:17 ISV).

Daniel gives us a great blueprint for prayer during difficult times.

We can find six important principles for this in Daniel 9. In the last devotional, we looked at the first of those principles: We let God speak to us before we speak to him.

The second step to praying in a way God will answer during a time of crisis is to focus our attention on God and seek him.

Daniel did this in Daniel 9:3: “I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him” (ESV).

This is basic relationship advice that works beyond your relationship with God. You’ll improve any relationship in your life if you physically turn yourself toward the other person and focus on them when they talk to you. Whenever my wife talks with me, I turn my face toward her. I’ve been married for more than 40 years. She loves it because she knows she has my undivided attention.

Turning your face toward someone shows attention. You can do with this God, too. Physically, look up toward the sky. If you can, go outside and look into the heavens as you pray.

Physically turning toward God is the first step in truly focusing on him and seeking him, which is vitally important during a crisis—and every other moment of our lives.

In Amos 5:4, God says, “Seek me and live” (NIV). You’re not really living unless you’re truly seeking God.

God guarantees he will always be with you. He says, “I love those who love me, and those who seek me will find me” (Proverbs 8:17 ISV).

Step Three in Crisis: Pour

“I poured out my heart, baring my soul to GOD” (Daniel 9:3 The Message).

Over the last few devotionals, we’ve been looking at how Daniel prayed during a time of crisis in his life and the life of Israel. His response shows us how we can pray in a way that God answers.

So far we’ve learned that we must let God speak to us before we speak to him and focus our attention on God and seek him.

Then, we must express our desires with passion.

Too many of our prayers are simply cut and dried. We speak without really thinking about what we’re saying. We have the words memorized. There’s no passion or authenticity.

The truth is, God cares more about the passionate sincerity of your prayers than the words you use. Think about how the right words with the wrong emotions won’t work with your spouse. That won’t work with God, either.
Human beings are made in the image of God. He shows emotions. He gets angry. He gets sad. He gets happy.

God doesn’t just love you. God loves you passionately—emotionally.

Daniel described his passionate prayer in Daniel 9:3: “I prayed earnestly to the Lord God, pleading with him” (GNT).

The word “pleading” in Hebrew means to “ask with emotions.” It’s a serious seeking. It’s searching with all your heart. It’s begging.

That’s a prayer God will listen to and answer.

I love this paraphrase of Daniel 9:3: “I poured out my heart, baring my soul to GOD” (The Message).

Step Four in Crisis: Show God You’re Serious

“As I prayed, I fasted and wore rough sackcloth, and I sprinkled myself with ashes” (Daniel 9:3 TLB).

Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 9 provides us with a great model for how to pray during a crisis. In the last few devotions, we’ve learned from this passage to let God speak to us before we speak to him. Then, we focus our attention on God and seek him. And, we express our desires with emotions.

Next, the kind of prayer God answers during a crisis is one where we demonstrate our seriousness. You need to signal to God that you are determined about your need. It isn’t just a whim or a casual thought. You need to let God see how important it is to you.

Daniel described three different ways he signaled his seriousness to God: “To show my sadness, I fasted, put on rough cloth, and sat in ashes” (Daniel 9:3 NCV).

We’re going to focus on the first thing he did: He fasted from food. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that people have employed for centuries.

Jesus said some miracles could only happen through prayer and fasting, not by prayer alone. Why? Fasting tells God you’re serious about your prayer.

Moses fasted before he received the Ten Commandments. The Israelites fasted before they went into many of their major battles. Daniel fasted in order to receive guidance from God. Nehemiah fasted before he began a major building project. Jesus fasted in victory over temptation.

Fasting doesn’t have to be related to food. It’s about removing other things from your life so you can focus on prayer.

Step Five in Crisis: Thank God for His Love and Promises

“O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands” (Daniel 9:4 NLT).

There is nothing more important you can do during a crisis than pray. As we’ve been learning, Daniel 9 gives us a great pattern for prayer as we walk through life’s toughest times.

We’ve already learned to let God speak to us before we speak to him, focus our attention on God and seek him, express our desires with passion, and demonstrate our seriousness.

We must also thank God for his love and promises.

Daniel describes this in Daniel 9:4: “O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands” (NLT).

This may be the last thing you want to do during a crisis. You may be angry with God and frustrated with him. But that’s why you need to do this. You need a change in your perspective.

A few verses later, we read this: “The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him” (Daniel 9:9 NLT).

We should be grateful that God is faithful even when we’re not. God keeps his promises every time.
And God will continue keeping them in your crisis. He won’t abandon you. Show God you realize that. Let him know you trust him.

Step Six in Crisis: Humbly Confess Your Sin to God

“We have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations. We have refused to listen to your servants the prophets, who spoke on your authority to our kings and princes and ancestors and to all the people of the land” (Daniel 9:5-6 NLT).

In the last few days we’ve looked at how to pray during a crisis. Daniel shows us six key principles during his prayer in Daniel 9. The first five of these principles are:

Let God speak to us before we speak to him.

Focus our attention on God and seek him.

Express our desires with passion

Demonstrate our seriousness.

Thank God for his love and promises.

Finally, we need to humbly confess our sin.

God won’t listen to prideful complaining, but he will listen to humble confessing. God responds to humility.
God already knows every foolish thing you’ve ever done in your life, but he still wants you to confess your sin.
How does God respond when you humbly admit you blew it? He responds with forgiveness, mercy, and grace.
Confessing simply means agreeing with God about your sin. You tell God he is right—what you did was sin. You don’t make excuses. You don’t call it a mistake. You admit that you were wrong.

Get specific with your confession like Daniel did in Daniel 9:5-6: “We have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations. We have refused to listen to your servants the prophets, who spoke on your authority to our kings and princes and ancestors and to all the people of the land” (NLT).

Agape Is Patient

8/24/2020

Just as people in offices, factories, government, and military, wear badges to show that they belong there we as Christians have a badge too. Our badge is love. Wear the badge of love proudly so that the world can see that you belong to Christ.

1 Corinthians 13:4‭-‬7 NIV Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

There are three major kinds of love identified by three Greek words; eros, phileo, and agape.

We are most familiar with eros love, or romantic love.

As its name indicates, eros is passionate or sexual love (eros is the source of the English word erotic). The second major kind of love is phileo the Greek word for friendship love.

Philio refers to brotherly love and is most often exhibited in a close friendship. Best friends will display this generous and affectionate love for each other as each seeks to make the other happy.

Agape is the most powerful, noblest type of love. Agape is sacrificial love. Agape love is more than a feeling—it is an act of the will. This is the kind of love that can be commanded and controlled or directed by the mind and will of the person who chooses to love.

This is the love that God has for His people and that prompted the sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus, for our sins.

Agape is always patient, is always kind, never gives up even when the going is difficult, is always eager to believe the best, believes that no person is a hopeless case, and agape gives us power to endure anything.

God commands us to have agape love toward everyone. This includes those whose personalities clash with ours, those who hurt us and treat us badly, and even those who are hostile toward our faith.

Agape Is Always Patient

We live in a day of impatience. We are impatient with servers, store clerks, family members, and even with ourselves. We have a critical need for patience.

God is a patient God.

He suffers long with people.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Christ is a patient Savior.

He was patient with his apostles.

He was willing to bear how little faith His disciples had.

Matthew 8:23‭-‬26 ESV And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing." And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

He was willing to bear the slowness of His disciples in understanding.

Matthew 15:10‭-‬20 ESV And he called the people to him and said to them, "Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person." Then the disciples came and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?" He answered, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit." But Peter said to him, "Explain the parable to us." And he said, "Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone."

He was willing to bear being spit on and struck in the face, for us.

Matthew 26:64‭-‬68 ESV Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?" They answered, "He deserves death." Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, saying, "Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?"

Isaiah 53:7 ESV He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.

He has been patient with us. Christ wants to help us to be patient with others.

Patience

Patience is waiting without complaining. — Robin Meadows

“Patience is a virtue, and a virtue can’t hurt you.”

The Greek word translated patience, makrothumia, is a compound formed by makros (“long”) and thumos (“passion” or “temper”). So patience, as a quality of the Fruit of the Spirit, literally means “long temper,” in the sense of “the ability to hold your temper for a long time.” A patient person is able to endure a lot of pain and suffering without complaining. A patient person is slow to anger as he waits for God to provide comfort and punish wrongdoing.

James 1:19‭-‬20 ESV Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

A patient person can take a lot of provocation before reacting. Patience is exhibiting calmness in stressful situations. It’s showing empathy toward others when they are not doing things to our standard. Patient people don’t become easily annoyed, agitated, and they don't show intolerance. Patience is produced when we support the growth in others. It’s not getting upset when a delay occurs that won’t matter in 10 years, let alone 10 days.

Grandparents Are Important

8/22/2020

This post is for all my grandparent friends. We know that we are important in our grandchildren's lives but we really don't know how important. Throughout history, grandparents have played a central role in the lives of their children and grandchildren. There is even a Grandparents Day, put into place by President Carter in 1978, to celebrate how important grandparents are.

Here are a few scriptures that affirm that importance from "7 Scriptures That Show How Important Grandparents Are" byJennifer Waddle

Today, let’s take a few moments to stop and reflect on the value of grandparents—past or present. Let’s dive into a few Scriptures that offer beautiful words of affirmation about the aged—words that show just how important grandparents truly are.

1. Isaiah 46:4 NCV Even when you are old, I will be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you. I will carry you and save you.

Gray hairs may not be welcome to every grandparent, (certainly not to me), but God’s sustaining grace is. The encouragement, in Isaiah 46:4, is that God does not grow old with us. He does not wear out. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Hebrews 13:8 NCV Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

No matter what age and stage they’re in, grandparents are important to God. He carries them through every season of life. He sustains them and continues to be their refuge. What a beautiful affirmation for grandparents everywhere!

2. Proverbs 17:6 NCV Old people are proud of their grandchildren, and children are proud of their parents.

Not only are grandchildren a crown to the aged, the aged are the pride of their family. What an excellent reminder of the importance of grandparents!

3. 2 Timothy 1:5 NCV I remember your true faith. That faith first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I know you now have that same faith.

There is, perhaps, nothing more important than passing down a heritage of faith. Grandparents have a divine responsibility to share the love of the Lord with their children and grandchildren. It’s a responsibility that should be seen as a blessed opportunity to share the Gospel with the next generation.

Just as Paul reminded young Timothy of his spiritual heritage, grandparents are reminded of the importance of their spiritual legacy. What an encouragement for grandparents to rise up and actively share their faith in Christ.

4. Psalms 92:12‭-‬15 NCV But good people will grow like palm trees; they will be tall like the cedars of Lebanon. Like trees planted in the Temple of the Lord , they will grow strong in the courtyards of our God. When they are old, they will still produce fruit; they will be healthy and fresh. They will say that the Lord is good. He is my Rock, and there is no wrong in him.

It’s important for grandparents not to grow complacent, but instead, flourish under the mighty hand of God. After all, it was Sarah, in the Old Testament, who laughed when she heard she would bear a son in her old age.

Despite God’s promise, she believed she was past her prime and would remain a barren women. However, the Lord had other plans—plans that would make Sarah the matriarch of the lineage of Israel.

Grandparents, don’t let old age stop you from bearing fruit for God! By the power of the Holy Spirit, remain open to the mighty works of the Lord. Your grandchildren need what you have to offer!

5. Titus 2:1‭-‬5 NCV But you must tell everyone what to do to follow the true teaching. Teach older men to be self-controlled, serious, wise, strong in faith, in love, and in patience. In the same way, teach older women to be holy in their behavior, not speaking against others or enslaved to too much wine, but teaching what is good. Then they can teach the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be wise and pure, to be good workers at home, to be kind, and to yield to their husbands. Then no one will be able to criticize the teaching God gave us.

For grandmothers, in particular, this passage points out the importance of living an upstanding life as an example to younger women. After all, the next generation needs guidance and mentorship. They haven’t experienced what you’ve experienced. Younger women need older women to teach them and encourage them through the various stages of life.

Resist feelings of unimportance and rise up to the call of being a strong example. Your wisdom and life experience is much needed!

6. Proverbs 13:22 NCV Good people leave their wealth to their grandchildren, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for good people.

Whether it be a financial blessing or an investment of Godly character, the inheritance that grandparents leave behind is of utmost importance. It was Patrick Henry who once said, “This is all the inheritance I give to my dear family. The religion of Christ will give them one which will make them rich indeed.”

I encourage you to take some time to pray, and plan a course of action that will help you leave the most valuable inheritance possible. Remember, it’s not monetary gifts that matter most. Your spiritual contribution to your grandchildren is far more important than silver or gold.

If you are planning on giving a monetary gift to your grandchildren, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

7. Psalms 145:4‭-‬5 NCV Parents will tell their children what you have done. They will retell your mighty acts, wonderful majesty, and glory. And I will think about your miracles.

As one generation commends the mighty works of the Lord to another, the messages of faith, hope, and love are passed on. I can’t think of a more impactful way for grandparents to leave their imprint on their extended families.

Let’s be so inspired by the wonderful works of the Lord, we cannot help but declare them!

Gracious God,

How marvelous are Your works on our behalf. We praise You today. Thank You for motivating us to declare Your mighty acts to our family members. There is no doubt, Father, that You love and value us as grandparents. Help our families to recognize our importance as well.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Is Not Wearing A Mask Faith Over Fear Or Is It Testing God?

8/22/2020

Matthew 4:5‭-‬7 CEV Next, the devil took Jesus into the holy city to the highest part of the temple. The devil said, “If you are God's Son, jump off. The Scriptures say: ‘God will give his angels orders about you. They will catch you in their arms, and you won't hurt your feet on the stones.’ ” Jesus answered, “The Scriptures also say, ‘Don't try to test the Lord your God!’ ” (emphasis mine)

Despite the President's reluctant admission that wearing a mask or face covering is effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19, and enabling the nation to return to some semblance of normal, there is still the debate around wearing or not wearing a face mask. Since the beginning of the pandemic in the United States there have been those in the church that have argued that abiding by stay at home orders, or not having-person church services inside somehow reflects a lack of faith in God. I have always disagreed with way of thinking and have tried to reflect that in the posts in the Coronavirus category of my blog.

I ran across a post today written by James Emery White the senior pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, NC, and the ranked adjunct professor of theology and culture at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. I am including excerpts from his post in this one. In James' post, "Does Wearing A Face Mask Displace In God?", he argues that using the phrase "faith over fear" to justify not wearing a mask, or not social distancing, or not gathering large crowds, is misplaced at the very least, and is in reality doing something that scriptures prohibits in that we are often presuming on God's protection independent of His promises and may, in many cases be a flagrant disregard of the reason and rationality for the promise

The following are excerpts from, "Does Wearing A Face Mask Displace In God?". Bold emphasis is mine.

They were apparently among those who feel that wearing a mask displaces trust in God. They may have even carried sentiments of “freedom over control,” “facts over hype” or even “right over left.” You’ll understand if I don’t touch those other sentiments with a 10-foot pole—I just won’t take the bait—but I will not walk away from “faith over fear.”

Not as a theologian, much less as a pastor.

You will not find a single case in the biblical record of God wanting people to throw responsibility and common sense to the wind in order to demonstrate faith in Him before a watching world. Yes, you find God calling people to do things that make no sense before a watching world as an act of faith—from making a boat on dry land in preparation for a flood, to walking around a city for seven days blowing horns.

Yet you won’t find a case where someone presumes upon God’s protection independent of God’s promise of protection in a flagrant disregard of the reason and rationality He’s employed them to use.

Do Not Test the Lord

Going further, what you will find are clear admonitions that we are not to take it upon ourselves to test God in ways He has not directly advised. In fact, the phrase “Do not test the Lord” is a common refrain. In the great critique of the sins of Israel in Psalm 78 the phrase “they put God to the test” is mentioned not once, not twice, but three times.

In the Old Testament book of Numbers there is a telling story of the men of Israel wanting to confront the Amalekites and Canaanites in the name of the Lord. Moses warned them against it; the advantage would be their enemy’s, and the Lord had not said He would be with them in their actions. The scriptural description is revealing: “… in their presumption they went up toward the highest point in the hill country, though neither Moses nor the ark of the Lord’s covenant moved from the camp”

Numbers 14:39‭-‬43 CEV The people of Israel were very sad after Moses gave them the Lord 's message. So they got up early the next morning and got ready to head toward the hill country of Canaan. They said, “We were wrong to complain about the Lord . Let's go into the land that he promised us.” But Moses replied, “You're disobeying the Lord ! Your plan won't work, so don't even try it. The Lord refuses to help you, because you turned your backs on him. The Amalekites and the Canaanites are your enemies, and they will attack and defeat you.” (emphasis mine)

Result?

Numbers 14:44‭-‬45 CEV But the Israelites ignored Moses and marched toward the hill country, even though the sacred chest and Moses did not go with them. The Amalekites and the Canaanites came down from the hill country, defeated the Israelites, and chased them as far as the town of Hormah. (emphasis mine)

They presumed God would be with them. God wasn’t. He never said He would be.

And lest we forget when the devil took Jesus to the holy city and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple saying:

“If you are the Son of God… throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone’” (Matthew 4:6, NIV).

If that is not a “faith over fear” moment, I don’t know what is.

Jesus’ reply?

“It is also written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test’” (Matthew 4:7, NIV).

Editor's Note: This quote by Jesus is from

Deuteronomy 6:14‭-‬16 CEV Don't have anything to do with gods that are worshiped by the nations around you. If you worship other gods, the Lord will be furious and wipe you off the face of the earth. The Lord your God is with you, so don't try to make him prove that he can help you, as you did at Massah.

Foolishness over Wisdom Is Not Faith over Fear

I am a person of passionate faith. I have not once “feared” COVID-19, nor stayed awake at night trembling with anxiety. But I also wear a mask, practice social-distancing, and have led the church I have been entrusted with to engage in online services for the foreseeable future.

Out of fear? No. It has been out of a deep faith that reminds me to not test God, to not presume on God, but to use my very God-given faculties and reason to honor and glorify Him and care for myself, my family and His people.

Just as it is not fear over faith when I put my grandchildren in a car seat, get an annual medical examination, lock my doors at night and turn on my alarm system, wear a seat belt or any one of a thousand other things that add safety and protection and health to my life and the lives of others.

Purposefully choosing to avoid such things—such as using a car seat for your child—is not putting faith over fear. It would be putting foolishness over wisdom. And to do any such thing in the name of God?

You are then doing the one thing He has said you must never do. Which is to test Him!

Eight Promises From One Short Verse

8/19/2020

For God is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. – Psalm 18:2

David sang this song to the Lord when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, including Saul. This psalm is written after Saul’s death and just before David ascends the throne to become Israel’s king. From the moment God declared David would be the future king of Israel, he faced nothing but trouble and hardship. In fact, he spent twenty years on the run as a fugitive and lost everything. He spent his youth running, fighting, and hiding in caves. He lost all his comforts, his family, and his connection and relationships with his own people.

Even then he wasn’t overcome or exhausted, but supernaturally strengthened. David spoke of the great things he could do when empowered by God, and he marveled at God’s perfect plan and perfect way.

As Christians, we serve a God who is not surprised by what we face each day. God is sovereign, so he knows all about panic, pandemics, chaos, and confusion. And he is with us no matter what we face.

God has also left us His Word, so we can go to it any time we need reassurance of his presence. In Psalm 18:2 we find that reassurance. In this one short verse, God gives us eight promises we can proclaim—about who He is and how He helps in all our circumstances.

1. The Lord Is My Rock

In times of trouble, when we feel shaky with life’s circumstances, it’s good to know that God is our rock. Someone who is extremely strong and mighty. Someone we can hold onto when we feel the earth moving. There is no one we can trust who is more reliable than the Lord.

On Christ the solid rock I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand,
all other ground is sinking sand.

Rock of ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.

2. The Lord Is My Fortress

When the word, “fortress,” refers to a person, it means that person is not susceptible to outside influence or disturbance.

The Lord is Almighty. He cannot be influenced, and nothing shakes the Lord. God is our mighty fortress. Nothing is more powerful than our God. Nothing can defeat him. The enemy tries to make us fearful by scaring us about what could happen, what might transpire. But God is aware of his tactics and we can trust in His power.

3. The Lord Is My Deliverer
To deliver means that you are removed from pain or from a situation. At times, it could mean you will be delivered from whatever is going on around you. When God delivered Daniel from the lion’s den He didn’t physically deliver him, but instead, God took the danger away by shutting the mouths of the lions.

Daniel 6:19‭-‬23 NIV At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we have been delivered from the penalty of sin. And God has also delivered us from the power of sin.

John 8:36 NIV So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

All because the Lord is our deliverer.

4. God Is My God

All the attributes of God are wonderful, but what makes them so great is that God is my God. He’s someone I can call on at any time of the day or night. He has given me access to his throne room where I am invited to bring him my petitions, knowing that God will answer them according to his perfect will.

Hebrews 4:16 NIV Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

God doesn’t think like us.

Isaiah 55:8‭-‬9 NIV “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord . “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

God loved us so much that he sacrificed his precious Son and when we accept Jesus and what he did for us, our Creator becomes our Father. And God becomes my God.

I know that God cares about me and tells me to cast my cares on him.

1 Peter 5:6‭-‬7 NIV Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

I also know that whatever circumstances I experience in life, God will work together for good.
Romans 8:28‭-‬29 NIV And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

We know that God will never leave or forsake us. Everyone lse can and may leave or forsake us but God promises that He never will.

5. God Is My Refuge

A refuge is a shelter of protection from danger or distress. It is like finding a safe place during a storm. The fears we face about this pandemic cause even faithful Christians moments of unrest. And while we can focus on what is happening around us, it is much to our benefit if, like Peter, we keep our eyes on the Lord instead of focusing on the wind and waves crashing around us.

Matthew 14:29‭-‬32 NIV “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

David was often running from enemies and in danger, yet, he called out to God. The same one who helped him when he was a boy, facing a lion and a bear. And later, as he stood facing the huge Philistine, Goliath. David remembered the same God who had helped him before would give him what he needed now.

1 Samuel 17:37 NIV The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”

All of us can probably remember when God delivered us from danger. The Holy Spirit is faithful in reminding us that God doesn’t change.

Psalms 102:25‭-‬27 NIV In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

6. God Is My Shield

God provides protection for us. Our adversary, Satan, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour

1 Peter 5:8‭-‬9 NIV Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

God reminds us that if we have accepted the Lord, we are God’s children and that the Spirit of God who abides in us is greater than the enemy who is in the world.

1 John 4:4 NIV You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Remember when God told Abram that he was Abram’s shield and exceeding great reward

Genesis 15:1 NIV After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. ”

God cares for his own. He is a loving father.

7. God Is the Horn of My Salvation

The horn is representative of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. It is a promise of future protection for believers. The kind of horn meant is the deadly weapon of the wild ox.

Psalms 92:9‭-‬10 NIV For surely your enemies, Lord , surely your enemies will perish; all evildoers will be scattered. You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; fine oils have been poured on me.

The horn is a sign of strength and a means of victory. God is the horn of salvation because he uses his power to secure and protect his people. God isn’t the horn of our salvation merely to liberate us, but also to make us holy and righteous people who don’t live in fear because we trust God.

8. God Is My Stronghold

A stronghold is something that has been fortified so it is protected against attack. God has fortified us. He’s given us his Word, which guides us and gives us wisdom.

God has also told us in Scripture about how we are to put on the armor of God. With the full armor of God, we will be able to stand against the rulers, the authorities, and the powers of this dark world, as well as stand against the spiritual forces of evil. The full armor of God will protect us from the devil’s schemes.

Ephesians 6:10‭-‬18 NIV Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Paul asked the Lord to remove an infirmity, God didn't remove what was hurting him, instead, God reminded Paul that His grace would be sufficient, for God’s power is made perfect in weakness. Paul then realized he would be wise to boast of his weaknesses as well as his hardships and calamities because God's strength became even more evident in his weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:8‭-‬10 NIV Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

In our lives, there are many times when things look impossible. And even then we are reminded that Jesus said impossible things are possible with God.

Matthew 19:26 NIV Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

The God who came through for David is the same God who can and will come through for you. He is your Rock, where you can have firm footing, an immovable foundation on which to stand and fight.

Fruit Of The Spirit And COVID-19

8/19/2020

Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 NIV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (emphasis mine)

Love

After nearly six months of life under COVID our nerves may be getting a little fried and we may not feel all that loving. We’re watching people struggle, we’re struggling. The levels of frustration are rising. We feel it in our homes, in our church and in our community.

The only remedy is God's love. His love is the only thing that allows us to deal with the losses and frustration of having to change our normal lives, and to comfort those hurting around us.

1 Corinthians 13:1‭-‬3 NIV If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Joy

Right now joy doesn’t necessarily feel natural, but we need to fight for joy anyway. Each new day that we are given we have an opportunity to practice joy despite our circumstances. Some of us are suffering greatly. Some are struggling to raise and educate children, work, and maintain a healthy family life. Some marriages are strained. Some of us are coping with mental health issues. There is a very long list of struggles for many people right now, however, if we approach each trial with the joy of the Lord we may also be able to experience peace in the midst of suffering.

Psalms 30:5 NKJV For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.

Peace

More than anything else lately we want peace. Peace in peace in parenting, in marriage, in ministry, and in our spirits. We want to feel internally and for that peace to be exhibited externally. We should want to be a force of peace to those in our community, and to inspire peace in our family and friends.

There's one thing for sure, we can't self-help or self-care our way to long-lasting consistent peace, COVID-19 has taken care of that.

True peace comes only from God and is embodied in Jesus Christ. As we put our trust in Him the outcome is a peace that passes all understanding.

Philippians 4:7 KJV And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Peace is possible through Him, who is peace. Peace is within reach and as the world continues to spin out of control we must hold fast to that peace.

Patience, Kindness and Goodness

There's so much confusion. Wear a mask, don't wear a mask, go school or distance learning, church services inside, outside, or online, dine inside restaurants, outside dining, or take out, haircuts inside or outside, etc.
We want answers and we want them now. We want action and solutions. We're fed up with all the confusion.

When we’re fed up we tend to run out of patience.

As we deal with the mental fatigue of life during COVID-19 a fair assessment might be that we’ve hit a wall. Not being able to live life like we're used to, not being able to connect with the people we love in ways that we used to, not being able to leave our house without having to remember our masks...it's a lot.

When we run out of patience, kindness and goodness are quick to follow. We’re out of patience so we snap at people. Our fuse is short so we respond critically rather than with grace. We lose our patience so we snap at people.
We lash out on people we don't even know on social media and label people without ever having a conversation.

We need to take a deep breath, slow down, exercise some patience, and kindness and goodness will follow. This kind of patience, at this time can only come through the Holy Spirit.

Faithfulness

It’s easy to give in to anxiety or fear as COVID numbers continue to climb, racial tensions continue to escalate, political divides deepen and lines drawn in the sand. There is disunity within the church as well as outside of it.

The church should be the example to the world of unity of all people. Within the church the need for unity is paramount, this doesn't mean that we agree with each other on every subject or are of the exact same mindset on a particular topic, but what it does mean is that we meet on the foundation of faith in Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:10 NLT I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

Our hope as believers is not ultimately in organizations, political parties or even our pastors. Our hope is in Christ alone and on that foundation of faith in Christ we are transformed.

Colossians 1:27 ERV God decided to let his people know just how rich and glorious that truth is. That secret truth, which is for all people, is that Christ lives in you, his people. He is our hope for glory.

This transformation needs to be visible to the outside world, we must live a life on display.

Romans 12:2 NIV Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

The world is in desperate need of faithfulness, and the church can be conduits of the faith.

Hebrews 11:1 NIV Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Gentleness and Self-Control

As tensions continue to rise our ability to practice gentleness and self-control is becoming more difficult. It’s hard to have a spirit of gentleness and to practice self-control without first having love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness.

If we are filled with love, if peace resides within us and we have developed a strong practice of patience, then kindness and goodness will follow.

Psalms 23:6 NIV Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

If we have faith that is being consistently nourished through the spiritual practices of prayer, time in the Word, reflection and community, then being gentle in spirit and having self-control can come easier. Anger can be managed, frustration can be reduced and peace can come when we allow God to take the reins of our lives.

As God becomes bigger in us our capacity for gentleness and self-control will increase. We won't dignify every insult with a response, we won't need to right back at every punch thrown at us. We don’t need to blast people on social media or belittle others. Instead we have the opportunity to lead others by being gentle and kind, and persistent in love and faithfulness.

More of God and less of us!

2020 What A Year And, It's Not Over

8/17/2020

When 2020 started we heard a lot about how this would be the year of perfect vision; yet a couple of months in, I don’t think any of us could have imagined what we would experience.

There is no doubt that this year has brought many challenges. From living through a global pandemic, the continued fight against racial injustices, job losses, serious political division, and the inability to see and visit some of our loved ones. It’s been a tough year, but it has not taken God by surprise.

The upside of all this stuff is that many of us have spent more time with close family members. We’ve been able to do those projects we kept putting off because we were too busy. We've had Zoom calls, and drive-through birthday parades. Parents have gained an appreciation for teachers and we've somehow found creative ways to bring joy in the midst of uncertainty. We’ve been able to throw out the insignificant things and the busyness of life and focused on what we needed to do to sustain and protect ourselves.

What Have We Learned In 2020?

1. How to Fix Our Eyes on Christ

This pandemic has been difficult to navigate. As we watch numbers fluctuate, mandates change, and political division take place throughout our country, it can be easy to become discouraged; God is still in control even if we can't see it in the midst of the storm.

We have learned to keep our eyes on Him.

Revelation 21:6 NLT And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.

2. How to Love in a Crisis

This time is showing us the importance of loving our neighbors as we do ourselves.

Matthew 22:37‭, ‬39‭-‬40 NLT Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

We all have a part to play in this fight and we not only have to look after ourselves but also our neighbors to get through this together.

3. How to Care for Our Minds and Spirits

This year has also been a reminder of the importance of mental and spiritual health. Wear a mask social distance, wash our hands, be open to talk about racial inequality; many of these things are new for most of us. We have to fight harder to be mentally and spiritually strong. We need to figure out how much news is healthy and at the same time keep our eyes on the things above.

Colossians 3:1‭-‬4 NLT Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

By keeping our eyes on Jesus, we can be confident that He is our source and shield and He will get us through this season.

Psalms 18:2 NLT The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.

4. How to Build an Enduring Faith

We have to stay rooted in the word of God and allow this time to build our faith.

Colossians 2:6‭-‬7 NIV So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

In times like these when we're not sure of how and when God is going to move, we have to stand on the hope that He will move and turn it all around.

Hebrews 11:1 NLT Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

As we watch or read the news in this we can’t allow the events to cause us to lose hope in the future.

Instead, let’s stand on faith and wait expectantly for God to turn it around.

Psalms 25:3 NLT No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.

5. How 2020 Has Highlighted Racial Injustices

In the midst of this pandemic, a racial movement has swept through our country. Awareness of racism and injustices have been elevated.

Racism is a heart issue, and in order to address the heart, we have to willingly invite God in to do the work. If you have been experiencing this, ask God to search your heart, and reveal anything that is not like Him.

Psalms 139:23‭-‬24 NLT.Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

In 2020 people are finally acknowledging and taking ownership of the problem and most are working for change. Books on racism are selling quickly as more and more people are committed to understanding what they have been blind to see.

Yes 2020 has been quite a year and it's not over. It has been a tough year --- yet a necessary year. It has revealed many of the underlying issues that have persisted—division, racism, selfishness, pride, and so much more.

We have been the opportunity to see things for what they truly are. This year has given us a chance to really be the church while the doors are closed. It has shown us how we have so much to learn from one another in order to advocate for the oppressed. It has allowed us to put our differences aside to truly display how we can love our neighbor, even if we have opposing views or look differently.

As hard as this year has been, you can seen things through a new lens, the lens of love, the lens of Christ.

Philippians 4:8 NLT And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Let's be honest and acknowledge that there is an enemy behind all of the fear, anxiety, greed, hate, and other negative thoughts and actions. Whatever your perspective that enemy, force, or spirit, would like to divide and conquer us. That enemy is the devil, Satan. He would love for us to not come together during this time and disrupt the progress taking place.

1 Peter 5:8‭-‬9 NLT Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

Lets not fail those who will come behind us by missing what we have learned and will learn in 2020.

We can start by;

Being appreciative of our communities, life, and the small things we have taken for granted.
Truly seeing everyone in the image of God.
Being slow to speak and listen attentively to understand the hearts of those who are hurting.
Standing for something but not allowing our views to prohibit us from respecting others.
Seeking to learn more about God’s character instead of only coming to Him when we’re in need.
Seeing each day as a gift.
Walking in and seeking wisdom and knowledge every day.

Proverbs 4:7 NCV Wisdom is the most important thing; so get wisdom. If it costs everything you have, get understanding.

Never give up

Galatians 6:9‭-‬10 NLT So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

These difficult times will pass so let's focus and commit to seek God and His will for direction.

Proverbs 3:5‭-‬6 NLT Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

10 Things Black Brothers and Sisters Most Need to Hear from the Church

8/14/2020

Photo Credit: © Getty Images/wildpixel

Editor's Note: The following is an excerpt from an article published on iBelieve.com and written by Contributing Writer Nylse Esahc. Nylse is an African-American a Christian and woman and mother of four children. The article are her thoughts, and mine too about being a black Christian here in the United States. I am posting the article without any editorial changes with the exceptions of the bold emphasises, which are mine, and the inclusion of scriptural texy. To read the entire article click on the iBelieve.com link. Nylse also blogs to encourage others from a Christian perspective at www.lifenotesencouragement.com. She can be found online on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

As a Christian, I have always felt that regardless of the color of my skin, the church would be a safe place. I imagined there would be no discrimination, no hierarchy based on race, no infiltration of laws that diminished Black people. Perhaps this was all in my imagination, because though I know this is possible, what I have lived for most of my life is a weird reckoning of how Christianity and the church try to deal with racism. There's usually some awkwardness in the body of Christ, as evidenced by the multitude of ethnic congregations. I've worshipped in spaces that are primarily white, Black, Chinese, or West Indian. I've also been made aware of many others—Filipino and South Korean, to name a few. This is a singular experience where I've always noticed the ethnicity of the congregants. To think that we have ethnically divided churches is unfathomable, considering that we are one body united in Christ. (Editor's Note: The Church that I pastor is extremely ethnically diverse but that's the exception and not the rule)

But I think people ultimately gravitate to where they feel comfortable. Many, like me, may have tried other congregations hoping that God's word was the primary connection, but instead became disillusioned when they realized different agendas, whether inadvertent or intentional, were at play. But often in comfort, bias grows and all of a sudden, you'll find that worldly thinking around race has infiltrated the church.

What I Deeply Desire to Hear from the Church

For me, all I've ever wanted to hear from my brothers and sisters in the church is a basic acknowledgment that racism exists—not only as it relates to police brutality, which has finally sparked a movement in this country—but that it is woven into the very fabric of this nation. The fact that racism exists does not mean that you individually perpetuate it (so no need to feel guilty), but that you are a recipient of its benefits in ways that you may have never considered.

It's the subtleties that are hard to explain, but are real nonetheless. For example:

Visiting an OB/Gyn who automatically assumes I have fibroids because many Black women get them, treating me like an assumption, instead of my reality.
Many incredulously commenting on my intelligence or indicating that my family and I are different.
Initial assumptions about my socioeconomic status simply because I'm Black.

These day to day subtleties are called micro-aggressions, defined as a statement, action, or incident regarded as an instance of indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group such as a racial or ethnic minority. Micro-aggressions make up the bulk of day to day living for a Black person, and they are exhausting. When they creep up in the body of Christ, this exhaustion can debilitate.

What it Means to Be Black and White and Christian

In all of this, I'm a Christian first, so this governs how I live. My faith is not lip service, but central to who I am. I'll also acknowledge that there is a lack of understanding on both sides, but the difference is Black people get the short end of the stick.

We are called to love each other, so all of us, Black and white, need to allow space for grace, because when we come together, there will be offense on both sides. However, the offense will feel greater for those who are not the beneficiaries of fair applications of equity and justice.

When Paul writes to the church at Galatia telling them,

"There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God's promise to Abraham belongs to you.” (Galatians 3:28-29 NLT)

Paul assures these believers that, in Christ, they have been fully united with everyone else who is in Christ. There are no lesser Christians in the family of God. Our earthly identifiers create no value distinction between us in our Father's eyes. Jews do not carry a higher rank than Greeks (non-Jews). Free people hold no greater honor than slaves. Men are not superior to women. No race is a "master race," nor any ethnicity inferior. Being one in Christ is possible because Christ holds the most honored position in the family of God, and all Christians are "in Christ." In that way, we are one; we are united. Since none can be higher, and none can be lower, we are equal in the eyes of God.

When we remember we are one in Christ, when we embody Christ's new commandment, loving each other as He loved (John 13:34-35), and when we recall that perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18), this changes the way we live.

John 13:34 NLT So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.

1 John 4:7‭-‬8 NLT Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

10 Statements That Refresh a Black Brother or Sister's Parched Soul:

1. I see you – Let's not be colorblind; instead, let's acknowledge the totality of a person. It's the equivalent of tossing the gift wrap to get to the gift. We're part and parcel of the gift, and since our melanated skin is probably what you see first, there's no use in trying to ignore it. We're Black—it’s the skin we're in.

2. I hear you – As you would with anyone else, listen to understand. When we speak, recognize that my experiences are mine, and somewhat unique to me.

3. I love you – Show your love by your actions—invite us to be a part of your life without any awkwardness. Truly love as Christ loved without conditions or restraint.

4. Please forgive me – As you become more aware of your Black friend's life, be open and honest with them. Please acknowledge that you may have conveniently overlooked many parts of their experience because it was too painful for you to deal with or because delusion was better than reality. If you can ever bring this up in conversation, it will go a long way towards cementing a friendship.

5. I want to know you – Not as a curiosity or a caricature, but as a person that you have a genuine interest in. When you want to know someone, you'll go beyond the superficial, empty greeting making your attempts sincere.

6. I acknowledge privilege – Acknowledging the flawed premise on which this country was built does not reduce a person's stature but rather is the start of equity in conversation. When we all start from the same place, it's easier to see the hurdles others have had to overcome.

7. I don't understand – With acknowledgment comes an opportunity to learn and clear up misunderstandings. Your Black brothers and sisters may not be able to help in this regard, but you can also avail yourself of other resources. Don't expect them to teach you everything about what it means to be Black because there are many Black experiences.

8. I will walk alongside you – When we fellowship together regularly, we're all fellows in a ship together walking along, sitting beside, and bearing each other's burdens as if it were your own. Coming alongside another is essential.

9. I'd love to help – By extending an offer to help, whether it is a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, or a service that is more tangible, your help is an expression of sisterly or brotherly love.

10. Your life matters just as much as mine – Never diminish another's life by uttering that repugnant phrase in response to a Black person's value of his life. Once you know the history of this country, you'll begin to realize that all lives have not mattered. In the body of Christ, my life has equal value and matters just as much as yours.

Perhaps these phrases can be the start of bridging the gap. Let's leave space for grace while exhibiting the love we should all have for each other, for we all precious in His sight.

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