Tag: Jesus saves

bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, Uncategorized

Heart Lessons

krisshetter

Before I became a Christian and even when I was a “baby Christian” I’d hear a lot of phrases from the Bible thrown about by believers and non-believers.  Passages such as “judge not, lest you be judged” (Matt 7:1) and “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13) are frequently taken out of context and misused.  And then there’s the quotes that aren’t even in the Bible such as, “God helps those who help themselves,” “God will never give you more than you can handle,” and “Love the sinner, hate the sin.”  While all those sound good, we must always be careful not to put words in God’s mouth.  Along with all of these I think one of the most misunderstood concepts people have is about being wealthy.  Non-believers will use this against successful Christians.  And believers sometimes think having wealth is a sin.  When Jesus said,

“How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!  Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Luke 18:24

This was in response to asking a wealthy ruler to give up all his power and wealth and come follow Him.  The ruler was very sad because he was very wealthy and he wasn’t all that honest.  It’s necessary to know that no one is saved by giving up all their wealth.  What Jesus was really asking of the ruler was to be honest about what he coveted.  There was much more going on in this story than a man being told to give up his wealth to follow Jesus.  This is why I keep hearing over and over these days to not just read the Bible but to study it.  Take, for instance, this famous poem by William Wadsworth:

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o’er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze …

“I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud“

If we were to just read it for what it basically says we would think he was a lonely man who thought he was a cloud.  And when he saw some flowers he thought they were actually dancing.  Sounds like someone on drugs.  But when we study the poem, we find a beautiful short tale about a man who loves nature and finds joy whenever he sees daffodils. Therein lies the need for great Biblical teachers and pastors. 

As we explore the last chapter of James, we find him being very angry with the wealthy members of the church.  Not because they are wealthy, but just like the ruler Jesus admonished, they have turned their wealth into their god.  They have cheated and lied all in the name of increasing their wealth.  How many of us today covet our bank account in lieu of helping those in need?  As an American, even our poorest are considered wealthy in relation to other countries.  Just having a home, a steady job, owning one or two cars, having three meals a day, a closet full of clothes, a tv and more, far and away exceed what others have.  And none of that is wrong.  James condemns the wrong use of riches – using wealth as a weapon rather than a tool to build others up.  I’ve heard so many people over the years actually worry that Jesus will ask them to give up all their money and become a poor missionary.  I say, if that’s truly what you are worried about then be careful, that just might be what God asks you to do!  

How many times have you heard people say they’re worried God will ask them to be another ‘Mother Teresa?”

James doesn’t stop there.  Our lack of patience, our lies (both little and big), our lazy prayer life, and our lack of desire to help our fellow Christians grow and be their best in the eyes of Christ, are all on display this week in James 5.  

If we aren’t careful so much of James can turn into one of those misused verses or phrases.  If we remember two things as we work on the final week of this study let them be this: 1) it is always about what is in our heart that Jesus cares about and 2) thankfully we are given grace each and every time we confess that we have forgotten the first.

bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, Uncategorized

The Mind-Field

krisshetter

That day we were taking our usual walk through the canyon by my house.  What wasn’t usual was that it was April 2020 – the height of the panic of Covid-19.  Our entire conversation was focused on trying to discern the truth about the dangers we were facing.  My friend turned to me and said, “I don’t understand.  Why aren’t you afraid?”

Before I reveal my answer let me back up a bit.  I am a maturing Christian.  I’m past the “baby Christian” phase and making what my Bible Study Girls call “imperfect progress.”  Had this virus and the media response to it been around about 10 years ago I would be freaking out.  I wouldn’t be able to sleep.  I would pace the house all day with jumbled, unsettled thoughts – not being able to accomplish anything.  I would be frantic about the economy, my husband’s business failing, my kids getting sick and so much more.  The battlefield of my mind would look like a World War 1 field of hidden trenches, barbed wire and the stench of all things unsanitary.  That’s how I handled a lot of problems.  Fast forward to that April 2020 walk.

Trench warfare WWW1

“I’m not afraid of dying is the simplest answer,” I replied.  I had peace in my mind and in my heart that for one, I didn’t have control over much of what was going on and two, if I got sick or someone I loved got sick and died I knew I would see them again.  I hadn’t thought about it much until she asked me.  And when I answered I realized my mind battlefield looked more like victory than a bombed-out shelter. Sure there are the occasional skirmishes but my battle plan is solid.

So many of God’s lessons about going out and making “fishers of men” first require us to get right minded with Jesus.  And James reminds us of this when he admonishes us to control our tongue, commit to doing good deeds, show others mercy, and gain God’s wisdom.  So, when he says:

“Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

JAMES 3:18

I first think, “how can I be a peacemaker when I frequently battle myself?”  We’ve all joked before about having an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other.  Each whispering in our ear.  The tug-of-war going on in our minds is surely not peaceful.  And if we can’t get our own mind to be at peace with God then how can we reflect peace out to others?

I was reading excerpts from Francis Frangipane’s book, The Three Battlegrounds.  One of those battlegrounds is our mind.  The description of the combatants is fascinating.  It’s important in any battle to know who, exactly, you are up against.

“We should know this about Satan: he is an ancient and extremely treacherous foe.  On the other hand, the strength of most Christians lies primarily in idealism and untested fervor.”

In other words, Satan has had a lot more practice on this battlefield than you or I.  It’s no wonder he seems to succeed so easily.  We are tricked into thinking all our negative self-talk is justified – even in the face of knowing we are made in God’s image.  Ya, but that saggy stomach and those large hips.   And people aren’t going to like us anyways.  Honestly, with this realization of Satan’s 10,000 page resume up against our entry into this battlefield for what, 30 years, 20? 5? 1?  It’s no wonder we struggle finding peace in our minds.  

“What happens when you wake up in the morning feeling low, irritated, discouraged, or frustrated – and you don’t know exactly why?  There has to be reason.  For every root there is a fruit.”

Joyce Meyer, Understanding the Root of Your Fruit

We’ve all done this – some of us are doing it every, single day.  We wake up (that is if we ever did get to sleep) and immediately start thinking how bad the day is probably going to be.   Sometimes we struggle because we just aren’t taking care of ourselves physically.  Did you drink that extra glass of wine and went to bed late?  What’s your diet and exercise routine (ha!)?  Or maybe it’s a spiritual problem like you care too much about what other people think about you instead of focusing on God.  Maybe you’ve forgotten that Jesus lives in you and you’ve shoved Him aside in order to try and “take control.”   I do know this, when we aren’t aligning ourselves with God then the opposite must be true.  And if that’s the case how in the world can we effectively handle a grumpy salesclerk?

“I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants – but let them not turn to folly.”

PS 85:8

Turning to folly is the key to that statement.  The gift of peace is right there for the taking.  God allows us to be sifted by Satan.  He did it to Peter in order for Peter to get his pride in check.  God knows we have wheat and chaff in our minds.  He is greater than Satan.   So, when God allows Satan to test us, sift us, and we turn to the angel on our shoulder instead of the devil, God knows the end product will be good.   Our minds want to tell us the opposite of God’s love.  Our minds want to be distracted by worldly things.  Those darn minds can think too highly or lowly of ourselves.  And our minds like to seek revenge.   Just as James describes the small bit controlling a large horse, we need to use God’s Truth in His Words to tame our wild minds.  

This is what my mind looks like when I want to just scream!

God is always working in our life.  We just need to pray and persist in our goal toward God-centered wisdom.   When we rise in the morning and thank Him for another day to be able to serve Him; when we take the time to sit in communion with Him; when we keep our eyes, hearts and minds on Him throughout our day it doesn’t leave much room for Satan to enter.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”

Rom 8:5

I don’t know about you but I’d rather make it through the minefield safely using Jesus as my bomb-sniffing dog.  Constantly looking to him along the path for guidance.  He knows what lies ahead.  When we are closely aligned, I can see His subtle signals telling me to be careful and which steps to take.  When we successfully make it to the other side we can guide others through that field as well.  

bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, Uncategorized

Lord, I Cry Out For Mercy

krisshetter

She was rarely “late.”  With each passing day she began to worry more.  She and her boyfriend knew better but they were young, just 15 and 16.  They frequently met up for sex while his mother was at work.  And they didn’t use protection.  So, five days after she should’ve started her period, she found herself sitting on the toilet, with a small Tupperware bowl waiting to catch her urine.  She had never been to a clinic before and had called to see if they could do a pregnancy test.  As she sat there, she prayed.  She wasn’t a church-goer.  In fact, her parents never spoke of God.  Yet she regularly was moved to pray.  She didn’t know what it meant to trust God or receive justification through faith in Jesus.  She just knew she needed to pray.  She had prayed for a lot of things over the years.  For her mom to stop hitting her.  For her dad to speak to her.  For her brother to stop tormenting her.  She didn’t know if God was listening but she kept praying. 

As she sat there praying for mercy – because that’s what would have to happen – she swore she would change her ways.  She made empty promises, begging to not be pregnant. And just as she began to capture a sample, her period started.  God had not only granted her mercy but also mercy on her potential child.  For had she been pregnant she most assuredly would have aborted it.

That girl was me.  I didn’t deserve His mercy.  I was living in sin, regularly.  I created my own set of rules – a false sense of “righteousness.”  I deserved the punishment.  I deserved to have to face a difficult choice and live with it for the rest of my life.  But He showed mercy.  I’ve remembered that day for the past 39 years like it was yesterday.  But how many times have I failed to show others that same mercy?

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.  Mercy triumphs over judgement.”

James 2:12-13

I was recently listening to a podcast by Joyce Meyer.  She spoke about not being mediocre.  Mediocre is halfway between being a failure and being successful.  The work of not being mediocre is constantly seeking knowledge, constantly improving ourselves.  So, the other day I set about creating a Christian definitions list. We sit in church, listen to podcasts, read devotionals but how many times do we hear buzz words or theology that we just don’t grasp?  Here’s my starting list:

Righteousness: our outward appearance of God’s truth.  Our actions and our words.  It’s important to note that without the ingredient of God’s truth we create a “false, man-made righteousness.” (2Tim 3:16)

Sanctification: the process by which the Holy Spirit molds us into Jesus’ image (1Thes 4:1)

Justification: when we pronounce our faith in Jesus Christ and we are instantly saved. (Gal 2:16)

Grace: simply put, God’s favor and kindness towards us. And He shows us grace in different ways:

  1. Salvation Grace: is when our freedom was purchased through Jesus’ blood (Eph 2:8)
  2. Numerous Grace: God forgives me each time I sin (Rom 6:14)
  3. Forgiveness Grace: When God helps me to forgive others (James 4:6)
  4. New Grace: each day I have the opportunity to begin again (Heb 13:25)
  5. Freedom Grace: I am free to forget about other people’s opinions and just be me (1Cor 15:10)
  6. Future Grace: God has promised to be with me at all times (Heb 4:16)

Mercy: when we are not given the punishment we deserve. (PS 40:11-13)

When I wrote all this down I received clarity of the amazing work God, through His Holy Spirit,  does in each of us.  But most of all I thought about mercy.  I understood that God forgives us each time we fall into the traps of sin.  We all have been in the situation Paul lamented when he wrote the following:

Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.  For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.  What a wretched man I am! 

Romans 7:21-24

Each and every day we find ourselves sinning – worried about money, hoarding our gifts, being judgmental and unkind to others, unforgiving of our loved ones or even strangers.  Gossiping, stealing, or even hating or causing injury to others.  There is only one being to have ever walked this earth that didn’t need God’s grace, forgiveness and mercy – Jesus.

Charles Spurgeon wrote in his prayer “Deliver Us From Evil about mercy.

“We come for mercy, great God.  It must always be our first request, for we have sinned against a just and holy law of which our consciences approve.  We are evil, but Your law is holy and just and good.  We have offended knowingly.”

Charles Spurgeon

I knew having sex outside of marriage was wrong.  I knew having unprotected sex outside of marriage was stupid.  And yet I did it time after time.  God gifted me with mercy over and over.  He also gifted me with mercy when He delivered the right man to me to become my husband.  I didn’t deserve him.  I was a mess.  After 31 years of marriage I still thank God my husband has stuck with me as I erase the ways I learned while outside of God’s justification. And I know now, it’s time for me to pick up my part of the bargain.

Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.

Matthew 5:7

I’m grateful that God flipped this admonition.  He has done it with so many of us.  He has shown us the mercy we didn’t deserve.  We need to pass that glorious gift along to others.  There are those in our lives that we hope to fail, that we wish ill will, that we hope will “get their just due.”  Aren’t we thankful that God doesn’t think the same about us?

For about two years I worked as a substitute in a high school office.  I job-shared for a woman who was completing her counseling certification.  There were two positions like mine.  When the other position was filled with a young woman I was encouraged by her enthusiasm.  She was full of ideas and brought a cheery face to the job.  And then she started being late every day.  At times she wouldn’t even show up.  When she did show up, I would find her on Facebook or on personal phone calls.  Her failings impacted my job.  I became bitter because, hey, I was just a substitute.  Why should I have to make up for her issues when she was an actual employee?  I found myself driving to work dreading what was to come.  I actually prayed she would get hit by a bus so I wouldn’t have to deal with her anymore.  Yes, I did that.

The turmoil got so bad I considered quitting.  But I knew that would leave others, whom I considered friends, in a difficult situation.  Three months in, I sat at an intersection on the way to work.  It was a long red light.  The Holy Spirit descended on me in the car.  I had my Perspective Change Moment.  What I should have been doing all along was praying for God to intervene positively in her life.  I could have left her to do two people’s jobs and/or complain endlessly to the supervisor, but I needed to show mercy and love.  So, I prayed every day for the next week that God would resolve the problem.  For God to help her.  For God to take control.  The peace that came over me was amazing!

After that one week she resigned.  And a good friend of mine who had been a finalist for the job previously was hired.  God is good.  God is forgiving.  God, thankfully, is merciful.   I love this quote by Christopher Columbus about mercy:

I am a most noteworthy sinner, but I have cried out to the Lord for grace and mercy, and they have covered me completely.  I have found the sweetest consolation since I made it my whole purpose to enjoy His marvelous presence.

To whom do you need to show mercy?  How has God been merciful to you?

bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, Uncategorized

Army of Love

krisshetter

I look at the current news and wonder what part we Christians have played in allowing the destruction and violence that has permeated our society. There’s the climate change activists who burn down car dealerships. Antifa groups who want to destroy basic societal norms. Abortion rights, LGBTQ, and BLM protestors who scream in other people’s faces. And on and on. The amount of hate that exudes from our tvs and cell phones is almost unbearable. But how do Christians play a part in any of this?

James reminds us of Jesus’ second most important commandment He gave to the disciples before His death.

Love your neighbor as yourself, and you are doing right

James 2:8

You notice it doesn’t say that whatever your neighbor does is ok and we should agree that it is good and right? And yet so many of us think we either need to agree or deny the truths of our faith in order to love our neighbors. Our fear of man, rather than God can lead us to stand on the wrong side of the room. Just as Peter did when the disciples all were called back to Jerusalem to discuss the issue of circumcision and whether Gentiles must first become Jews before accepting Christ. After having lived as a Gentile and bringing Gentiles to Christ without the requirement of circumcision, Peter took one look at the disapproving traditional Jews at the meeting and caved. He separated himself from the Gentiles. Paul had to admonish him for his hypocrisy.

When I saw that they (Peter and Barnabas) were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said, to Cephas (Peter) in front of them all, “You are a Jew yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it then that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?

Galatians 2:14

Peter is many of us. We fear discord. We fear disagreement. We fear being judged. And at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion Peter feared physical harm. So instead of standing firm knowing God is by our side when interacting with our neighbors, loved ones or strangers, we sometimes, if not frequently, cave.

It’s almost as though our church leaders have failed to teach us one of the most important lessons that Jesus lived out — how to sit and dine with sinners while remaining faithful to God.  In a recent Bible study session, we asked the question, “What does it mean to allow Christ to live through you and is there anything specific that you should be doing?”  One person said we should guard our hearts and avoid situations where there is temptation to sin.  I had to laugh and say that would mean I would never go to the grocery store.  They knew what I meant – I struggle with being annoyed by all manner of behavior by other people.  If I could just not be around other people I don’t think I would sin at all!  I’ve come to realize that God puts these tests in front of me each day, waiting for me to finally “get it” – love my neighbors, show grace and give mercy.  And yes, even when I disagree with them.

Jesus himself sat among the sinners as the Ambassador to Heaven.  Instead of the dread of facing people who disagreed with him he seemed to enter those situations with hopeful anticipation.  So, when my Bible study group discussed the idea of avoiding people or places that give us open avenues to sin we looked at each and pointed out the areas we individually would need to always avoid.  In other words, raise the white flag and retreat from the full life for which we are called.  But we are called to be Ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20.)

How does this relate to strife in our society? As Christians, so many of us have flown the white flag high in hopes we won’t be hated. In hopes we wouldn’t have to face disagreement. We accept the sin of “almost right” laws and the non-Christian definition of what loving our neighbors mean. Loving and accepting others is not the same as agreeing and going along with them. Satan is always looking for ways to drip like water on a stone onto our commitment to the Almighty God. Phrases such as “Love is Love,” “All Science is Real,” and “Women’s Rights are Human Rights,” hide the true meaning behind each. We get lost in arguments about “why shouldn’t everyone be allowed to marry whom they want” or “well, if you don’t adopt a baby yourself then you shouldn’t decide about abortion.” So, we vote for laws that go directly against our core Christian beliefs. We agree that there shouldn’t be time for prayer in school, much less allow a student to read the Bible as their reading assignment. We agree that marriage doesn’t need a man and a woman and children can do without a parent. And we watch our moral society slowly chip away. We miss opportunities to share God’s messages of love, grace and forgiveness by being afraid of the disagreement. But Jesus’ behavior throughout His time on Earth was not one of retreat or agreement with sinners.

Pro-abortionist don’t realize every child is wanted and loved by God

It’s interesting to realize that Jesus didn’t preach to “fellow” Christians.  They didn’t exist.  He preached to people who didn’t know what being saved by grace meant.  He preached to people who may have been living as Jews but in name only.  He preached to High Priests who broke Mosaic Law on a regular basis.  He spoke to us — sinners. And when He commissioned the disciples, He sent them knowing full well the people they encountered may not even believe in a monotheistic God.  So, the argument made that we, as Christians, shouldn’t “impose” our ways on non-Christians falls flat.  If what we believe and the life we are called to live out is so amazing, so marvelous, then why wouldn’t we want to see everyone live in that same grace? God didn’t give us the gift of justification to hoard it. He gave it to share with the rest of His people.

I recently found an article by a pastor who was raised by two lesbian women.  He defines them as activists in the LGBTQ community.  He came to Christ one night when he attended a Christian meeting, fully loaded to disagree and fight against everything being preached.  Instead he walked away saved.

“I lived in the tension of accepting my parents that I dearly loved, but not theologically agreeing with their choice to be in same-sex relationships.”

Caleb Kaltenbach, Pastor, City on A Hill Church

He calls this “living in the tension” when we find ourselves in disagreement with our non-Christian neighbors and loved ones.  His family kicked him out for a short while.  But his work as a Christian brought them back into a loving relationship.  One that requires work to maintain.  He goes on to say, 

“Don’t settle for cheap love based merely on agreement. Pursue priceless love that accepts the person (no matter who or where they are) with the understanding that while you can’t “fix” them— God can.”

He acknowledges this is a two-way street for a successful relationship.  But when the other party doesn’t do their part it doesn’t give us license to then act non-Christian.  We are always called to love and accept people for who they are at that moment.  Love of others that is based on acceptance instead of agreement can reunite relationships, heal families, save lives, and even change eternal destinations.  And that’s the message we so infrequently hear at church.  There’s a fear of discussing the big issues facing us as we live in the new Babylon.  But we need to practice and be reminded how to show love and while “living in the tension.”  And remembering our job as Ambassadors is to ACT like Christians, as defined by Jesus, not Pharisees.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:31

The next time you hear condemnation coming from a group or a person of which you disagree with their morals and values stop for a moment and pray.  Listen to God’s voice.  Rest in the fact that as Christians we don’t need to fear man.  Jesus saw everyone as a potential person to bring to eternal life and so should we.  And the life God wants for all His people is good.  It’s time to stop retreating, stop waving the white flag.  It’s time to step up in confidence with the love from God leading the way.  Our neighbors, our communities, our children, need us to spread His message.  We are his soldiers in His Army of Love. 

Is there someone that lives a life against Christian morals that you need to give up to God?  Let Him solve that problem.  Your job is to just love them.  

30daysofpraise, christian encouragement, Uncategorized

The Arresting Officer

krisshetter

As I sit here in my comfortable, middle-class, suburban home it’s hard for me to imagine living where rioting and violence have taken over cities in America.  Now mind you, my neighborhood is very diverse. On my block alone live people from India, China, Philippines, Samoa, Puerto Rico, and Mexico — and there’s only 18 houses. What connects the tumultuous cities are a number of characteristics but what shocks me the most is the concept of “defunding the police.”  There’s a lot of counterintuitive-ness going on in the world the last 10 years.  What seems good and right, now is apparently bad and evil and vice versa.  Loving your country and standing for its national anthem is evil but wanting to turn to Marxism, which only has ever brought about human suffering is good.  A white woman screaming in a black police officer’s face about racism is good but a statue commemorating President Lincoln signing the emancipation proclamation is bad. Thank God I live under God’s plan which is steady and true.

Praise God that he takes the most unlikely people – ones who have created chaos and violence – and changes them.  He is the “Super Cop.”  He ferrets out those who hide in shadows doing evil.  And he has no fear in standing in front of the powerful and saying, “you’re coming with me.”

I have a lot of respect for the police.  Even though I once told my two police officer friends, “Sometimes cops are real jerks!” (and they agreed with me) I still value the difficult and varied roles they are asked to play in our society.  For many years I was a security substitute in our local high schools.  The role of high school security staff is many fold.  We would ensure the morning drop off went smoothy in the parking lot as crazed parents cut each other off and cursed at one another.  We then closed up the campus making sure the only people on campus were authorized to be there.  We patrolled the campus – keeping kids in class and strangers out of the school.  But we also counseled students.  There’s the “always late” students who typically come from difficult homes.  The student who you find weeping in the bathroom because of a romance failure or a parent who has left the family were not unusual circumstances.  We were involved in altercations between students and staff which created opportunities to delve deeper into a student’s anger.  I imagine a city police officer experiences these and much, much more.  There are many difficult and dangerous situations they face and there are some uplifting moments in which it makes it all worthwhile.  When I see a college educated, privileged person screaming in the face of a police officer who is doing their duty to protect our cities it makes me want to weep for both.

A black officer listens while a white protester calls him a racist.

Saul was a violent and angry man.  His terror and violence against followers of Jesus was legendary.  He took comfort in the Law of God.  He thought of Jesus as being from satan, the false prophet.  So, he intended to eliminate this “dangerous sect” before it destroyed the Jewish faith.  But God met him on the road to Damascus and arrested him.  One of the definitions of “arrest” is “to bring to a stop.”  When God’s holy light flashed on him, he fell to the ground.  The men with him were speechless.  Saul knew immediately it was from the holy realm and asked, “Who are you, Lord?”  Jesus replied, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”  Wow, the authority in that statement!  Instead of handcuffs placed on Saul he was blinded.  He had to be led into the city.  For three days he sat in the jail of darkness and did not eat or drink anything (Acts 9:9).

But God sent another of his officers to release Saul from jail.  The disciple Ananias was told by Jesus to go to Saul and anoint him.  He hesitated at first, knowing Saul’s reputation.  When he entered the house, he placed his hands on Saul and called on the name of Jesus to fill him with the Holy Spirit.  Immediately Saul could see and was freed.  

How many times do we need to be “arrested by God” to finally see what life He wants for us?  Some of us have seen the inside of life’s jail for far too many years.  We justify our actions because it’s what the world wants from us.  Or we twist the meanings of God’s Word to suit our actions.  Like the city cop who knows the neighborhood junkie by name, God knows our names too.  That cop has given so much help and advice to the junkie but he keeps going back to what hurts him or may even kill him.  Jesus keeps putting His hand out to you and me.  When He shines that light on us as we stumble in the dark alleys let’s grasp Him and let Him pull us free.

30daysofpraise, christian encouragement, Uncategorized

God the Comforter

krisshetter

There is a great storm rising.  Can you feel it?  It’s a battle for God’s modern Jerusalem.   A spiritual battle rages in God’s created land – America.  The home of the free and land of the brave.  Since its inception, the United States of America has rested all its actions on a firm belief in the Almighty.  Every US State Constitution mentions God.  And although there have been those that want to erase this truth, believers have held strong.  Like all battles this one will destroy, it will maim, it will leave scars.  But God stands as our great comforter.  He is, as Paul writes in 2 Cor 1: 3-11. “The Father of Compassion and the God of all Comfort.”  This “God of all Comfort” is waiting for us to turn completely to Him when we face the slings and arrows of those who would destroy us

I started following Sean Feucht on Instagram when he ran for office in California.  He is a worship leader and strong family man.  He loves God.  And his loss for a chance to hold a government seat did not stop him for what has turned into his greatest mission – to fight for those of us who want to openly worship in what has become a modern Babylon.  Through the ministry, Hold The Line, he and other pastors hold outdoor worship services up and down the west coast of the United States.  This weekend they went straight into the heart of beast – Seattle, Washington’s CHOP – an area that ANTIFA declared independent from the country.  They set up their microphones and instruments.  And hundreds of worshippers came to sing praises to the Lord.  And Satan showed up.  Satan worshippers marched around them.  People attacked the stage wielding knives.  Pregnant worshippers were cussed at and spat on.  The more the “opposition” screamed, the louder the singing became.  Because God the Comforter was surrounding the believers.  Their wall of bronze enveloped them and they sang.  And they were baptized and they surrendered to the one and only Higher Authority.  

Lest we think this battle is solely between believers and unbelievers the comments this organization gets from supposed believers is so disheartening.  Many seem to think that Caesar has been placed as head of the church.  The dictates about not being able to sing in California churches or how many people are allowed at church are deemed “worthy” by these church goers.  Their fear has taken over their minds as they’ve forgotten the only fear we need to have is that of God.  As for Sean and company, his trials are purposeful.  God is using him and his family and friends to show how complete reliance on God to protect and comfort us is our utmost goal.  His trials lead him to comfort others. We can learn of patience and endurance when we watch as he is attacked over and over and gets up each day to praise God.

This modern Jerusalem – a place on the hill for freedom of speech, religion, assembly – is worth fighting for.  In the history of the world there has never been a country created to give all citizens so much freedom and so much responsibility, and called it God-given.  As a devout Christian, I am commissioned to fight this good fight.  And I will be comforted by our Great Father during my times of need. May I learn endurance and surrender so that I can comfort others.

Are you experiencing trials related to your faith? Tell us how you’ve turned to God in the comments. I’ve posted one of the videos an anti-Christian took of the Seattle worship service. There is some foul language on this.