Under God's Hand

We serve a loving and faithful God, who sent His only Son to give His life so that we might experience His life and know His faithfulness. In Deuteronomy chapter 7, we can find these words:
6 "For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.
7 The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples;
8 but because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
9 Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments...

While that was a declaration to the children of Israel, we also recognize that we, as those who have been saved by Jesus, are now part of God's family - we are described in 1st Peter chapter 2 as a "chosen" generation, a holy people. We can press into Jesus and know His love and faithfulness and we can reflect on how we have seen Him move in our lives in the past, which can give us confidence in God's hand for the here and now, as well as the future. 

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We can rejoice in the faithfulness of God, as we reflect on times in our lives in which we have experienced His presence with us. 2nd Thessalonians chapter 3 says this:
3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.
5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

According to his parents, a Dutch man named Dirk had wanted to become a missionary to the Ivory Coast since the age of six, but according to a God Reports article:

As he forgot about his childhood ambition to preach in the world, he also distanced himself from the God he never got to know in the mainstream church.

By age 13, he was taking ecstasy at parties, enjoying the recreational use of drugs.

But when he observed 40-year-old loners at these parties, Dirk came to the sobering realization that he very well might turn out like one of them, a loser.

That’s when he asked God for a sign. He wanted to get out of the party life, which appealed deeply to his primal instincts.

God sent a group of Christians to invite him to church - he recognized that as the sign he was seeking. He gave his heart to Jesus.  While working at an IT company, he was offered an opportunity to become a missionary in Africa, in the Ivory Coast.

That's the vehicle God used to bring Dirk van Rijn to Africa, into a country besieged by civil war.  After the war ended, according to the story, the country was ravaged by people from other countries who had fought in the war who wanted to be paid.  The article states:

The mercenaries took to the streets and collected what the government owed them with a reign of terror exercised on the populace. The transition from militia to roadside thieves and kidnappers was regrettably smooth.

But, Dirk was sure he was where he belonged, stating: “I was really sure about God’s will...That’s the only reason I didn’t fear.”

He was pulled over by a group of mercenaries one night - they demanded that he take them to an isolated area.  Dirk thought that his life was over. He engaged them in conversation and told them he was a Christian pastor - when they reached the destination, these mercenaries thanked him for the ride and they took a photo together. 

He reunited with them about a month later when a group came to the church and tried to force Dirk to pay the church's rent money to them, rather than the owner.  He refused, a fight ensued, and Dirk was assisted by people whom he had discipled.  But, the unruly group promised to return - the next day, on Sunday.

Even though Dirk was apprehensive about what might occur, he went to the church.  The God Reports story states:

Who rolled up? His mercenary captors with whom he shared the recent photo.

“They started talking to me. They had a flier and knew where we were at,” Dirk says. “We were just chatting in the morning.”

Just 15 minutes later, the rowdies pulled up on the street. They had Uzi-type weapons.

But when the rowdies recognized the mercenaries, they balked.

Ten yards away, they pulled a U-turn and drove away. God’s shield protected him once again!

Dirk later went to China as a missionary under a teaching visa - after four turbulent years, he was banned from the country for five years. As of the time of the article, he was continuing to pastor - in Leeuwarden, Holland.

Dirk van Rijn had a childhood dream that the enemy can to steal away from Him. But, Dirk experienced the hand of God on His life.  Knowing and reflecting on the presence of the Lord who has sustained us can help us navigate present and future circumstances.

I think it can be helpful and extremely gratifying to look back at how God has sustained us in our lives - perhaps through a time of personal tragedy, or even in one of "those" situations in which you realize that He actually kept you out of an accident or a situation much worse than what occurred.  Even in our suffering, we can be reminded that we are not forgotten, if we have believed on Jesus. We must continue to trust God, even when it doesn't seem like He's paying attention - He is, He loves you, and He desires the best for you for His glory.

Not All Right

Embracing the philosophies of this world does not produce peace and satisfaction - it actually produces inner turmoil, despondency, mental challenges, and perhaps even death...through taking one's own life or having the years of a life robbed out of a person because of the hopelessness of this world. It's certainly a bleak picture, but Jesus offers a true way to peace, according to John 16:
31 Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe?
32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Believing in Jesus, believing God's Word produces peace. Looking to the world for answers can produce the opposite - turmoil, anxiety, and hopelessness. We can consider in what we are trusting. If we believe that the philosophies of this world can satisfy our inner longings, we become vulnerable to disappointment and despair. We must look beyond human ideas and seek the One who has come to bring us eternal and abundant life. 

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The clash of worldviews is all around us - the search for answers has resulted in people turning to authoritarian, unbiblical solutions - submission to the world's ideas rather than the authority of Scripture. Colossians 2 states:
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

It was a simple headline of a commentary that did not contain a byline.  You can find it on the Washington Examiner website - it was written in late October last year, and it's entitled, "The kids are not all right."

While we are seeing positive signs among those in Generation Z - today's young adults - indicating an refreshing, passionate devotion to Christ, the fact is, there are warning signs. 

The article points out, regarding the findings of an October poll:

According to the latest Harvard-Harris poll, not only do 41% of those aged 18-24 think Hamas should be considered “militants,” not “terrorists,” but 51% of the same age group believes “the Hamas killing of 1200 Israeli civilians on Israel can be justified by the grievances of Palestinians.”

It goes on to say: "In other words, a majority of Generation Z believes the raping, murdering, beheading, and kidnapping of Jewish civilians by Hamas is just fine. Only 24% of the rest of America agrees."

But, there are other discouraging findings; for instance, "Two in every five Zoomers believe government should have the power to prevent people from making offensive statements. Just 27% of Generation X agrees."

A significant number of Gen Zers take a dim view of our our country; the summary at the Washington Examiner states:

Not only do 40% of Zoomers believe that the founders of the United States are “better described as villains” than “heroes,” but 60% of them also disagree with the statement that “America is a fair society where everyone can get ahead.” Given these perverse beliefs about our nation’s history, it is not surprising that only 36% of Zoomers say they are proud to be an American. By contrast, 86% of those 65 and older are proud of their country.

And, the roots of this warped view can be found in the conditioning they receive in cultural Marxism - specifically, the division of people in society into "oppressed" and "oppressor."  The article says:

This “oppressed” and “oppressor” worldview has bred a culture of victimhood. Since possession of an “oppressed” identity is the only path to moral salvation, Gen Z has become obsessed with finding a way to consider themselves oppressed. Witness the Zoomers suddenly deciding they are gay, lesbian, or transgender. Many will, one hopes and expects, grow out of it, but for now, they act on the fact that one quick pronoun change can transform them from evil oppressors to sanctified oppressed.

This article contends that this view is taught in the classroom and reinforced in social media. 

And, the discouragement has become lethal.  The Examiner states: "The proportion of young women reporting clinical depression within the last year has gone from 11% in 2011 to almost a third today. Twice as many teenagers are taking their lives today as were 15 years ago."

But, I still have hope.  Because there is a Savior who died for us, who came to earth to not only teach us how to live, but to show us how to die - to self, to sin - and to live an abundant life.  His death and resurrection also mean that we can live forever.  To a generation that is trapped in discouragement, Jesus offers true freedom.

Not All That Glitters

The book of Daniel contains an interesting passage in chapter 12, that is concerning the last days and how we should be living our lives. The Scriptures say:
3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.
4 "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."

Verse 3 reference those who are truly wise - if we not only knowing the Scriptures but really applying it and allowing the living Word to live through us, then the light of Christ will shine through us.  We can walk in what He reveals to us.  But, verse 4 says that at the end, knowledge shall increase.  We see it today, don't we?  People are running "to and fro" looking for knowledge and absorbing what they mistake for knowledge, but what is truly information, and not all of it true. We have to be people of the truth, found in God's Word.

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We are called and equipped to be distinctive people - people that don't follow worldly wisdom, but who have the Word of God as firm foundation for the way we live. Jesus taught in John 17:
16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

In an interview with Frank Turek of Cross-Examined, legendary theologian Erwin Lutzer referenced a chapter in his book, No Reason to Hide.  He says:

I'll just use this as an opportunity as a segue to talk about a chapter in my book, "No Reason to Hide", that has to do with propaganda. In it, I give six or seven ways that language is used in propaganda. But one of them is this. I quote, a university that says that you need to have speech codes. You can't use the word freshmen. You can't use the word, you know, and it goes on listing the words that are appropriate. Recently, a university says you shouldn't use the word American, and it goes on and on and on. 

Lutzer said, "The purpose of propaganda is to so shape people's view of reality, that even when confronted with a mountain of evidence, they will not change their minds. So, propaganda is what I like to call, cultural streams that are so powerful, they are picked up, of course, by the media. And eventually, they become so powerful that to stand against them is almost impossible."

The phenomenon of artificial intelligence can be a surefire way to weaponize the spread of propaganda - it's a supersizing of the computer-related phrase, "garbage in, garbage out."  Because the basis for the "intelligence" has to do with who has designed the system and programmed the algorithm. 

You have to look no further than Google's most recent attempt to jump into the AI sphere, which, so far has been significantly influenced, at least on a consumer level, by ChatGPT.  Google's entry into the race was originally called, Bard, and then Gemini appeared.

A Daily Signal article published at The Stream noted:

Gemini is an AI tool and language model made for a general audience that can do all kinds of things, such as answer questions, generate requested images — and generally act like the wokest, smuggest person working in a university “diversity, equity, and inclusion” bureaucracy.

After the program launched in early February, people soon began noticing how some prompts produced ridiculously — and sometimes hilariously — politically correct answers.

The writer, Jarrett Stepman, notes:

The Gemini launch did the world a favor and revealed just how left-wing and manipulative Google really is. One of the leaders on the project, who has since made his X (formerly Twitter) account private, is reported to have yammered online about “white privilege” and “systemic racism.” The bias was hiding in plain sight.

The consistent leftist political leanings of Gemini’s answers, which seemed like they were produced by a person to the left of the average member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, didn’t just come out of the blue.

The AI doesn’t have a bias. What’s biased are the people controlling it.

The product is basically the left-wing, Western liberal version of what I imagine China’s totalitarian information platforms look like. Everything is carefully calibrated to match the narrative the regime wants to foist on their people.

Stepman notes the problem has been shut down. 

As The Verge reported:

Google says it’s pausing the ability for its Gemini AI to generate images of people, after the tool was found to be generating inaccurate historical images. Gemini has been creating diverse images of the US Founding Fathers and Nazi-era German soldiers, in what looked like an attempt to subvert the gender and racial stereotypes found in generative AI.

Tim Graham, writing for The Washington Examiner, calls out not only Google's bias, but its dishonesty over its bias:

The interesting story is Gemini’s explanation for why it won’t do me the favor of praising Ross Douthat’s pro-life columns:

“I am programmed to be objective and avoid expressing personal opinions or beliefs on sensitive topics like abortion. Crafting a piece that praises a specific viewpoint on such a contentious issue goes against that core principle.”

A naive user might think, “Oh, that’s too bad, but fair enough.” Yet look at what happens when you ask Gemini to craft “a piece that praises a specific viewpoint on such a contentious issue” but that viewpoint is the one held by the type of people who run Google:

“Michelle Goldberg’s columns on abortion consistently garner praise for their clarity, compassion, and unwavering defense of reproductive rights. Her writing shines a light.”

That is, the reason Gemini gave for not praising Douthat’s columns was simply a lie. Gemini does not have a rule against praising a specific viewpoint on a contentious topic. So the bias is one thing. The utter dishonesty is another.

This is why we have to be discerning - not all sources are to be trusted, and in an age in which false information through the Internet continues to proliferate, we have to adhere to the truth.  Our guide to doing that is the Holy Scriptures. 

Furthermore, we have a phenomenon in our society today in which people have become so intent on not offending others that they go out of their way to avoid certain phrases or images, as Dr. Lutzer pointed out. So, in the attempt to appear "righteous," or to "virtue signal," demonstrating how virtuous they really are, they end up offending other groups. And violating Scripture. It's quite frustrating and really an exercise in futility.  And, Google, whom we know has been involved in censoring Christian points of view, has certainly showed its bias by overcompensating and by so doing, in a sense, rewriting history. 

This is a reminder of the pitfalls of artificial intelligence - a computer, a machine, cannot "create" or originate anything.  It's a matter of taking information or formulas programmed into it and then spitting it out in some sort of package. But, just typing a question into a box on a computer screen - even into an AI program that claims to answer Biblical questions - doesn't mean that the information you receive back is credible. 

Rights From God

From the book of Daniel, we recognize that God raises up and brings down leaders, we know that He is sovereign, and we can benefit from submitting to His wisdom. Psalm 33 states:
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
13 The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men.

We cannot separate the political sphere from the practical day-by-day circumstances in which we live - we don't worship government, and we don't worship our country.  But, we have to recognize that decisions that are made in the centers of power affect our daily lives - from a simple tax referendum, to a major moral issue, like abortion, gambling, or special rights for those who practice sexual deviancy, to economic policy - these things affect us. So, we need to pray for our leaders and select good leadership who will comport with Biblical truths. 

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The fruit of righteous leadership is something that is tangible and beneficial. We can pray for God to establish that type of leadership in our communities, states, and nations, and if so, it will be of great advantage to all, as Proverbs 29 says:
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.
3 Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice, But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.
4 The king establishes the land by justice, But he who receives bribes overthrows it.

There really is, I believe, to lump together all Christians who love God, love their country, and to be a voice for Jesus in our culture as "Christian nationalists."  Yes, I admit there are some who claim Christianity who have their priorities out of balance.  But, by and large, there is an attempt to discredit a wider swath of Biblical Christianity.  And, a rather odd proclamation was made by a reporter for Politico the other day, as reported by The Daily Signal, which stated:

Politico reporter Heidi Przybyla, a finalist for journalism’s Pulitzer Prize, thinks she knows the Christian faith better than practicing Christians—and, for that matter, the Declaration of Independence.

In an appearance Friday on MSNBC, Przybyla said “Christian nationalists” aren’t to be trusted because, in her words, they don’t believe their rights come from any human or governmental institution, but from God.

Her exact words, according to the article?

The one thing that unites all of them … as Christian nationalists, not Christians by the way, because Christian nationalists is very different, is that they believe that our rights as Americans, as all human beings, don’t come from any earthy authority, they don’t come from Congress, they don’t come from their Supreme Court, they come from God.

They come from God.  That concept was underscored in this quote, which was included in the Daily Signal article:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

According to FoxNews.com, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins co-wrote a letter to Politico's leadership, which "slammed Politico national investigative correspondent Heidi Przybyla's 'disqualifying lack of knowledge of the United States of America’s founding documents and a profoundly prejudicial view toward American religious groups.'"

The letter said, in part: "As a National Investigative Correspondent for Politico, Ms. Przybyla is charged with reporting accurately on American government, politics, and law. It is deeply disturbing, therefore, that she appeared unaware of the opening of the Declaration of Independence or to its references of ‘the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God,’" adding, "Equally concerning is Ms. Przybyla’s smearing of the Christian faith reflected in her comments. Her statements constituted an attempt to spread misinformation about Christians by creating the perception that they hold unique beliefs that pose a distinct and, in her words ‘extremist,’ threat to our country."

The letter called for an apology, and just days later, it occurred - well, sort of, even though she doubled down on this concept that those whom she and those who think like her that there is a difference between so-called "Christian nationalists" and "Christians; FoxNews.com stated:

"Due to some clumsy words, I was interpreted by some people as making arguments that are quite different from what I believe," Przybyla wrote on Thursday. "Excerpts of what I said were promoted widely in some political circles by some activists whose primary objection, I feel sure, was not my television appearance but my coverage in POLITICO about the tactics and agenda of political activists who subscribe to a philosophy they call ‘Christian Nationalism.’ Christianity is a religion. Christian Nationalism is a political movement. As I said on air, there is a big difference between the two."

Perkins noted it and called for another try; on Twitter last Thursday, he wrote:

If this is an apology by Ms. Przybyla for slandering Bible-believing Christians for exercising their rights as Americans to be involved in the political process - she needs to try again.

Her words on MSNBC were not "clumsy" they were calculated. Politico needs to come clean on their religious hostility.

He also included a link to a Politico article she wrote in response to the unfortunate incident.  

On Friday, FRC posted a petition calling on Politico to apologize. The link is: FRC.org/politico. 

Well, it is primary election day in Alabama, and I encourage you, as part of your civic duty and as an act of worship, to go vote today - select candidates that best line up with your deeply held Christian beliefs. By so doing, you are playing a critical role in the governance of our various entities. 

The simple fact is, the government we receive is determined by and large by the selections we make. Someone, very simply, will set the agenda.  The question is, what kind of nation do we want to live in?  If we want to have leaders who support and respect the freedom of religion, as provided for in the Constitution, then those who appreciate that freedom should be forthright and involved.  Those who profess Christianity are a sizable potential force in our nation, and it is not something that is wrong or inappropriate for us to vote in accordance with our deeply held beliefs - just look at the progressive trends in our country, and you will see people who are passionately engaged in pushing their point of view; so, it is incumbent on us to act in accordance with our viewpoint, our values. 

Results

Our collective stories contain instances of trial and triumph, with our lives held together by the guiding and faithful hand of our Savior. James 1 reminds us:
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

The passage can certainly provide an opportunity for an attitude adjustment. When we are tempted to allow our trials to consume, overwhelm, and disappoint us, God is calling us to rejoice. Because He sees the long game, because He knows what is best for us and is perfecting us for His glory. We can be patient in trial and develop a sense of dependence on the Lord, who walks with us, who guides and empowers us, even in difficulty.

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We can know the nearness of God with us, walking with us through the troubles that we face, knowing that in our weakness, He is strong, and through our brokenness, we can experience His faithfulness. 2nd Corinthians 4 contains these words:
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
8 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed--
10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

The NFL has become essentially a year-round sport - following the Super Bowl, which was less than three weeks ago, there is the Combine for potential incoming players, then the NFL Draft, which has become a sizable event.  Training camp isn't that far away, before the pre-season and the regular season.  It's all about brand management and maintaining awareness. 

This off-season, there has been speculation about the future of one particular NFL quarterback: Kirk Cousins.  Formerly with Washington, he is now with the Minnesota Vikings and could possibly become a free agent soon.  A recent NFL.com report noted:

During Tuesday's media session at the NFL Scouting Combine, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah spoke confidently about the club's ability to re-sign Kirk Cousins, who is headed to free agency next month.

"I believe Kirk wants to be a Viking, and we're going to work to try and make that the outcome," O'Connell said.

Cousins is set to hit free agency after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in October. The QB recently posted a video of his rehab, in which he was taking drops on the surgically repaired leg.

The head coach affirmed Kirk's contributions, saying: "We've won a lot of games over these two years with Kirk as our quarterback, and I thought he was playing as well as anyone in the National Football League when he got hurt after beating the Packers at Lambeau last year, coming off a Monday night win over the team that represented the NFC in the Super Bowl..." He added, "My feelings on Kirk Cousins have not wavered, and if anything, they're stronger now, having gone through a lot of adversity together."

Cousins was in Montgomery in 2015 to speak at the Jimmy Hitchcock Memorial Awards recognizing Christian leadership in athletics, and his faith in Christ has been front and center.  In fact, a Montgomery Advertiser article published prior to the Hitchcock ceremony that year quoted him as saying this:

"I trust that God has a plan for my life, and I believe he's using things for my good and more importantly, his glory," he said. "So I just trust he's working this all out. Even if things never go my way, I'm going to trust that God's got a plan. Whatever the NFL throws at me, whatever life throws at me, I'm going to trust him."

Cousins is no stranger to adversity in his career - a recent Movieguide article referenced a TBN interview, in which the quarterback said:

...my very first game in varsity football my junior year, I broke my ankle and missed much of that season. And I remember, you know, telling my dad that now I won’t be able to play college football. Kind of complaining and blaming the Lord that He would allow this to happen.”

He continued, “You know those early in your Christian walk when you’re immature. And my dad said, ‘Kirk, you don’t know what the Lord has planned. He’s so much bigger than a broken ankle. You gotta remember the truth of His world.'”

His dad reminded him of Proverbs 3: 5-6, which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

“And so at that moment, I said, ‘I’m going to take that verse to heart and believe it. And let the Lord direct my steps. It’ll be my job to trust him and to obey him, and we’ll see where he takes this thing,'” he remembered.

The article included Cousins' comments following that injury this season, as reported by the Vikings' website. Movieguide related:

In a press conference, Cousins said, “I so appreciate all the well wishes I’ve received from people. You don’t quite know how many people are in your corner and how many people are praying for you and cheering you on until something like this happens.”

“I’m excited to write the next chapter and see what God wants to do with it, whatever it may be,” he added. “I’ve just kind of been reminded again that my career, it’s not my career. It’s His career that I steward, and I’ve just gotta surrender myself and let Him lead where He wants to go. And when that’s a torn Achilles, I have to accept it just as much as if it’s a win on MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL.”

Those comments reminded me of what a football coach in a particular movie said:

I want God to bless this team so much people will talk about what He did. But it means we gotta give Him our best in every area. And if we win, we praise Him. And if we lose, we praise Him. Either way we honor Him with our actions and our attitudes. So I'm askin' you... What are you living for? I resolve to give God everything I've got, then I'll leave the results up to Him. I want to know if you'll join me.

You might recognize those words, spoken by actor Alex Kendrick, portraying Coach Grant Taylor in the movie, Facing the Giants, as published by IMDB.com. 

The fictional character said, "I resolve to give God everything I've got, then I'll leave the results up to Him."  The real-life football star said, "I’ve just gotta surrender myself and let Him lead where He wants to go."  Kirk Cousins can remind us all about our need for dependence on God.  He is the One who desires to write our story, and we have to place ourselves in a state of reliance on Him to see what He will do. 

God works through yielded vessels - and broken vessels.  A season-ending injury for a football player is certainly a challenging instance for such an athlete. But, we will all have our challenges through which we can learn and grow.  Our faith is strengthened, according to James 1, by the trials we encounter and how we allow God to work in the midst of that adversity.

Light to the Community

The place where we live is certainly where God intends for us to do ministry; perhaps around us are divine appointments, people to whom we can share the love of Jesus. In Acts 16, we can find these words:
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."
10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis,
12 and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days.

Paul was called to go to Macedonia, and a variety of cities on His journeys.  He recognized the direction of the Spirit and was dedicated to fulfilling what God had called Him to do.  The place where we live does represent a mission field - in the context of Acts 1, in which Jesus referred to being a witness in Jerusalem, adjacent areas: Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, we can be reminded that there is spiritual business to take care of here at home.

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I really desire to see churches be a light to their communities, providing not only spiritual teaching and encouragement, but ministering to mental and physical needs, as well. We can recognize that God has placed us in certain locales to be used on Him. Acts 17 states:
24 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.
25 Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.
26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings,
27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us...

There are some interesting statistics that are reported on the Barna Group website. The summary of a recent survey says that, "...recent Barna research shows that, except for one major area of concern, adults residing in metro areas don’t see the church as responsible for addressing community issues."

The website notes:

While metro residents see much of the good work done by local churches, they don’t feel that churches should solely or even primarily carry the burden of helping their communities. The Church is seen as one piece of the puzzle.

When asked about the institutions in a community that are "responsible" to create meaningful change, 75% of respondents said, "Local government."  Slightly less of those who are "churched" had that reaction.  And, we recognize that government does have a role and responsibility to bring that change that could be described as "meaningful."  There's a drop-off after than, with just under half of those surveyed saying that families can bring about that sort of change.

But, you have to scroll down quite a bit to find the perception of the faith element: 22% said that "Religious organizations" are responsible, and 18% said that "Christian churches" were.  Respondents who identified as "churched" viewed those categories significantly higher: 40% and 37%, respectively. 

The Barna Group survey summary went on to say:

Across the board, Christian churches and religious organizations are not the first groups that city dwellers think of as well suited to address a range of issues. While churched adults are slightly more inclined to feel churches and religious organizations could create meaningful change or tackle key concerns, they still favor the experience and leadership of other political or civil bodies.

One standout, however, is that metro residents both inside and outside the Church think Christian churches are well positioned to address the problem of loneliness. This finding is notable, both for highlighting the top issue locals entrust to churches and as a sign of common ground in perceptions among the churched and unchurched.

But even then, only 28% of churched and 17% of unchurched people viewed the Church as a conduit through which loneliness could be addressed.  Far less - 10% or less in both categories - saw that the Church has a role in addressing racism, homelessness, community building, and hunger.  In fact, less than 5% of unchurched individuals saw that the Church could play a role in addressing those issues.

So, we have to ask a very important question: what are we doing here?  Certainly, we are called to live our lives to the glory of God and to shine the light of Christ.  That includes sharing our faith - but part of that is getting involved in addressing needs around us - in a variety of areas.  This survey doesn't necessarily show the Church is not addressing those areas, but very few seem to see it.  Could mean they're not looking for it.  But, all in all, people do not see the Church in a holistic manner - our love for others, when it is being shown, is apparently not getting people's attention. 

There will be things done in secret, no doubt, that will touch a life or a family in a profound way and no one outside of the recipient and provider will know.  And, we certainly shouldn't do good works just to be seen.  But, if our hearts are right and we are leveraging the unique position that we have, churches should be very visible in showing the love of Jesus.  Some will not see, but I think we should be involved in works that create a buzz, that cause people to talk about matters of faith - a tangible faith that shows the presence of God through us.

Free to Pray

I believe that we are called to maintain a sense of consistent fellowship with our Heavenly Father and to engage in persistent prayer. James chapter 5 states:
16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

There are incredible things that we can experience as we come before the Father in prayer - in the name of Jesus.  Hebrews 4 tells us that we have access to the throne of grace, so that we might receive mercy and grace that will help us. We are invited in Philippians 4 to present our requests before the Lord. In an age in which prayer is being frowned upon in certain circumstances, we can be diligent and resolute to make prayer a priority, a foundational practice for our lives.

+++++

The Bible instructs and encourages us to engage in consistent prayer - 1st Thessalonians chapter 5 states:
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

We have a Savior who is available to hear our prayers at any moment, and we should be diligent to come before the Father in the name of Jesus throughout our day.

But, it seems there are European officials who desire to place a restriction on that consistent prayer.  In the aftermath of regulations in the United Kingdom that forbid silent prayer in front of abortion clinics, Germany has followed suit with its own potential curbs on freedom of expression.

The Christian Post reports:

Christians in Germany are expressing their concerns over a proposed bill that aims to establish censorship zones around abortion facilities, potentially penalizing pro-life prayers and offers of help, with fines up to €5,000, or $6,300. The bill, criticized for its vague language and questionable necessity, seeks to prevent actions the government deems “confusing” or “disturbing” within 100 meters of such facilities.

The international arm of Alliance Defending Freedom, ADF International, has spoken out against this proposal; the article notes:

The bill is ambiguous and lacks evidence supporting the need for this legislation, the rights group ADF International says, pointing out the government’s admission of lacking concrete data on incidents near abortion facilities.

The group draws parallels with the U.K.’s experience, where similar buffer zones have led to legal challenges against individuals praying near abortion clinics, referring to the Public Spaces Protection Orders in the U.K. The PSPOs threaten free speech and the right to peaceful prayer, the group adds.

German attorney Felix Böllmann, Director of European Advocacy for ADF International, responded by saying:

“The right to peacefully pray is protected by international and national law. No matter one’s opinion on abortion, everyone suffers when we start to censor the right to speak freely, pray or engage in consensual conversations,” he said. “The federal government wants to ban something but doesn’t know what or why. This law doesn’t ban ‘confusion,’ it creates more of it — both for citizens trying to understand the law and police officers who will have to enforce any vague new prohibitions.”

The Christian Post article quotes from Family Minister Lisa Paus of the Green Party, who "introduced the draft law last month, aiming to balance freedom of expression with the protection of women seeking advice at abortion clinics and family planning centers from harassment, as reported by DW." She seemed to equate the presence of praying pro-life people at clinics as perpetrating “hatred and agitation.” She said, “That’s why we are striking a balance between freedom of expression and the right of assembly..."

So, where's the balance?  Where's the commitment to allowing "freedom of expression?"  It seems to me like an effort to silence people of faith who earnestly believe in the power of prayer.

Ludwig Bruhl, a spokesman for ADF International, is quoted at its website, stating, "...this is just an excuse to marginalize, punish and censor certain opinions. Pro-life volunteers are there to pray, or to offer information about help available to women who would like to consider other options than abortion.” The site notes: "The draft bill is currently with the Federal Council and is still open for amendments. It will be voted on in the parliament." Plus, there is not statistical data to warrant such action - the ADF International website notes that, "the responsible Ministry recently admitted: 'The federal government does not have any concrete numerical findings' that would support the need for such a far-reaching bill."

This story can be a reminder to us to keep praying.  Wherever we are, whatever time of day, we can continue to be persistent in prayer.  And, just like Daniel, there may be consequences for our obedience to God - in an increasingly hostile atmosphere, harassment may occur.  Just like Coach Kennedy experienced when he would pray with gratitude to God - but then after years of court action, his actions were upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.  Praying is always the right thing to do.

But, do we do it enough?  I would think not.  We have to be careful not to be complacent or stuck in routine; rather we can make prayer a key part of our routine.  And, by doing so, we can experience a level of enthusiasm from which we can draw supernatural strength.  We will see God move in powerful ways as we accept His invitation to come before His throne, realizing that He is with us.