Takeover

The disciples who walked with Jesus on earth were inquisitive about what they referred to as the "signs" of His return to earth - the "end of the age." In Matthew 24, He laid out the signs for them:
5 For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.
6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Wars and rumors of wars.  We have for many years seen the buildup of military power by several large nations, but there has not been a significant attempt by one country to subvert another, such as the current crisis in Ukraine.  Russia, China, Iran, North Korea - these countries have military ambitions and have continued to build their arsenals.  We can take courage, though, if we are looking through spiritual eyes - for as human conflict intensifies, it points to the second coming of Jesus.

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I was thinking earlier today about how human conflict often arises from selfish ambition, and we certainly see that at play in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. There is certainly an element of evil present when you see innocent people who have found themselves either defending or fleeing their nation under attack. James chapter 4 states:
1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?
2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

One of the perspectives that we can develop when analyzing a situation involving human conflict is the spiritual - is there something spiritual going on that is manifested in the physical?  I want to spend a few moments looking into the spiritual implications of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

I came across an interesting article on the ReligionNews.com website regarding Putin's perceived ambition to not only annex Ukraine and bring it back under political control, but spiritual, as well.  Knox Thames served in the Obama and Trump Administrations, specializing in religious minorities.  He writes:

...Ukraine is the second-largest European country, second only to Russia. While many faiths operate freely in Ukraine, such as Roman Catholics, evangelicals, Muslims and Jews, the country’s population of 43 million is overwhelmingly Christian and predominantly identifies with Orthodoxy.

He contends that Putin has essentially tried to bring the Russian Orthodox Church under more government control.  In 2018, the Orthodox Church in Ukraine essentially declared independence from its Russian counterparts.  Thames writes:

The Orthodox Church of Ukraine becoming free was a declaration of independence from foreign influence and achieved greater religious freedom. Then-Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko declared that autocephaly was another example of Ukraine pivoting away from Moscow and toward Europe. In response, the Russian Orthodox Church cut all relations with the Ecumenical Patriarch, threatening to split Orthodoxy.

With war at hand, these religious battles will recede to the background for the time being. However, people on both sides are turning to their faith. Images of Ukrainians praying throughout the country were posted on Twitter on Wednesday (Feb. 23) when the attack started. Other, non-Orthodox Christians noted how Christians on both sides are fighting: “Tanks are rolling down from Russia, Russian Orthodox priests are blessing the tanks,” while “Ukrainian Orthodox priests are blessing the Ukrainian soldiers to fight against Russia.”

But, Putin apparently has a spiritual aim in seeking to control Ukrainian life.  Thames states:

Putin cited NATO expansion as the casis belli, among other issues, fearing Ukraine’s reorientation to the West. But Ukraine’s religious reorientation is also a concern. The president of the European People’s Party, Donald Tusk, cited sources saying Putin’s “demands are also connected with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and its independence from Moscow. De facto what Putin wants is the full capitulation of Ukraine.” The capitulation sought is both physical and spiritual.

I remember the days following the fall of the Soviet Union - a consortium of Christian organizations mobilized to reach people in Russia and former Soviet countries with the gospel.  It was called The Commission, and leaders warned that the window of opportunity was limited. Putin has proven to be no friend to evangelical Christians nor religious freedom.

Even though Russia is not on the Open Doors World Watch List, the ministry's website says that in Russia:

Much of the pressure on Christians in Russia comes from the government imposing restrictive legislation. Since the implementation of the anti-terrorist Yarovaya laws, the level of surveillance of all non-Orthodox Christian churches has increased. As a result, Christian activity is often under state surveillance, and church services are sometimes raided by security forces. Christian converts in the radicalized Muslim region of Caucasus face immense pressure from family, friends and local community to renounce their faith. Out of fear, converts do not even attempt to go to church meetings. Some have been forced to flee or find refuge in safe houses.

A 2016 USA Today story reported, regarding a package of new laws:

Under the pretext of fighting terrorism, the package includes a particularly chilling measure, especially for evangelical Protestants and others who actively share their faith. The new measure makes it a crime to engage in religious activities that range from preaching and teaching to religious publishing, anywhere in Russia besides government-approved sites.

Meanwhile, in Ukraine, the evangelical church in concerned. 

Evangelical Focus offers these insights into the state of evangelical Christianity there, where an estimated 2 percent of the population would be considered evangelical, according to the article, which says:

The president of the Christian civil movement Vsi razom! and of the association of Christian journalists Novomedia, Ruslan Kukharchuk, describes what is happening as “so terrible that, at moments, it even seems unreal”. “This doesn't happen in reality. It only happens in the plots of movies and history books”, he says.

According to Kukharchuk, “now in Ukraine we are more united than ever”. “Keep praying for us, may God help us”, he concludes.

The article goes on to say:

“People in churches are afraid and concerned”, said pastor Sergei Nakul speaking from his church building in Kyiv. “Please keep calm and continue to bodly and wisely pray to our Lord. Please pray for our people, our families and churches”, he added. Nakul said missionaries, pastors and radio broadcasters sought to continue to share “the Good news of Jesus Christ”, adding that “in these dangerous times, this is what our people really need”.

We can recognize that human conflict has spiritual roots, and in this case, there is a long spiritual history between Russia and Ukraine.  Putin not only has attempted to take military action, but has engaged in an attempt to unite the countries from a religious standpoint. It's been reported that Putin considers Ukraine part of Russia, but many in Ukraine are not playing along, and that includes Ukrainian churches.  And, in his effort to consolidate power, Putin has also attempted to reject the influence of evangelical Christianity under the guise of fighting terror.

We can be faithful to pray: for those that are staying in Ukraine, who have been thrust into a conflict that is not of their own making.  And, those who are leaving need our prayers, too.  I am thankful to hear of ministry mobilization that is occurring, as efforts to provide relief and encouragement continue to do amazing work.  

We also cannot ignore the prophetic significance of what is occurring.  According to the book of Ezekiel in chapter 38, Russia will lead a consortium of nations, many of them currently Muslim in nature, in an unprecedented attack on Israel. While this conflict doesn't quite fit the picture - yet - we know that there is a role of Russia in the end times, and a renewal of military action certainly shows this nation heading in that direction.

It's Real

The disciples of Jesus were excited about the newfound power they were experiencing, and as they reported to Him what God was doing through them, the Lord responded with clarity in Luke 10, where we can read this:
17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name."
18 And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

The power and authority that Jesus has given to us is predicated on our acceptance of Him as our Lord and Savior - that means that we now belong to Him and our "names are written in heaven." Because of that relationship, we can experience the presence of God moving through our lives.  Jesus reminded His followers that He was there when Satan fell, and that his forces, powerful as they may seem, are not as powerful as those aligned with God.  We have power to walk in victory because Jesus has defeated Satan's power.

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The Bible teaches us that we are to be spiritually-minded, and when we walk in the Spirit, we can activate the power of the Spirit, enabling us to overcome the power of evil and the works of the flesh. In Ephesians 6, we can read these verses, one of which was cited by a filmmaker in an interview a number of years ago:
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Joey King is now a young adult, but when she was a little girl, she was one of the stars of a horror movie called, The Conjuring.  And, as she revealed to actress-turned-talk-show-host Drew Barrymore recently, there were some spiritual elements at play off the screen. 

Faithwire reported on the interview, in which King said that “It was pretty intense. Some weird stuff happened on the set, along with the movie being scary,” adding, “It’s true, I developed this bizarre, rare, out-of-nowhere blood disorder, and basically, my body, like all the red platelets from my body were like drained. They were just gone.”

After the movie completed its filming, according to Faithwire:

“Then, all of a sudden, I got home, and I’ve never had a problem with my blood since,” she said, sparking a shocked reaction from Barrymore. “Every time I think about it, I just shudder a little bit.”

King has discussed this story before, telling shock radio host Howard Stern in 2020 that her blood issue was discovered after bruises started mysteriously appearing on her body during filming.

“In the [movie], when the mom gets possessed, she gets all these bruises on her,” King said. “And so during the filming of those particular scenes, I started having a lot of bruises show up on my body.”

No doubt, this film dealt with some spiritual elements, and when a person exposes himself or herself to the presence of evil, there could be some unusual things occur. 

The film, interestingly enough, was made by twin brothers Chad and Carey Hayes, and was based on a true story. A CBN.com article from around the time of the release of the first film in what has become a series related that the Hayes brothers "grew up Baptist, but now consider themselves Messianic Jews. Recently, they shared in an interview CBN.com that their interest in The Conjuring is partly due to their faith."  The film, according to the article, "chronicles the true story of family terrorized by an oppressive darkness and the married couple, Ed and Lorraine Warren, who help to rid their house of evil."

At the end of the movie, according to the article, there's this quote from Ed Warren: 

“Diabolical forces are formidable. These forces are eternal, and they exist today. The fairy tale is true. The devil exists. God exists. And for us, as people, our very destiny hinges upon which one we elect to follow.”

Chad said, "We want people after experiencing our movie to question where are they. Where am I in my own faith? Where am I in my belief? The Lord has the authority overall, and so here we are. If you find yourself in that kind of a situation like the parents did [in this movie] and you don’t have the Warrens there, where are you at?"

The story told by Joey King echoes another series of supernatural occurrences on a movie set, in a film that was set in a time of intense spiritual warfare: the time period leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. The actor playing the role, Jim Caviezel, has related what he experienced.

The Looper website said that:

Lead actor Jim Caviezel has claimed he was "lit up like a Christmas tree" while filming the Sermon on the Mount sequence of the film. "I knew it was going to hit me about four seconds before it happened," the actor told The 700 Club. "I thought, 'I'm going to get hit.' And when it happened, I saw the extras grab the ground."

Caviezel said that after the strike, fire was coming out of his head and his body was illuminated — though the cameras hadn't yet finished panning over to his position.

An assistant director was struck on set, as well.

The site also reported:

Not only did Caviezel get struck by lightning and endure a couple misplaced lashes, he also dislocated his shoulder while carrying the film's massive crucifix. According to the cross-bearer himself, the wooden construction weighed 150 pounds. "It feels like 600 pounds as the day goes on," Caviezel told Fox News.

Caviezel's shoulder popping out of place was just the start of his misery. "Later they stick you up on a cross in 25-degree temperatures with 30-knot winds," Caviezel explained. Filming almost naked in such frigid conditions nearly gave the actor hypothermia, and succeeded in giving him a lung infection and pneumonia.

All this to make the highest-grossing faith-based film of all time.  And, people's lives were changed.  Looper states: "Not only did the film have a profound effect on the atheist actor who played Judas, it affected a cast member of the Islamic faith. "One of the guys working on the film was a Muslim," Caviezel told The 700 Club. "He was one of the guards who beat me, and he converted. He had a real big experience there, you know?"  And, for most of those involved in the film, Caviezel says: "All the actors that worked on this film ... it will stay with them the rest of their lives," adding, "People will always come up to them, people will always ask them about the movie they were in, it will always be with them."

Unusual occurrences on a movie set with supernatural elements?  Doesn't surprise me. We have to be aware of and armed against the presence of evil in this world.  There are spiritual forces that are described in Ephesians chapter 6 that are dispatched by the devil to counteract the work of God. But, we remember that we have angels on our side, and we have a Savior, who has defeated the power of the enemy, who is victorious over sin and death.  Evil triumphs because that victory is not appropriated.

But, God is greater, as we see in the Word. When we believe that the power of evil is winning, when we are feeling defeated in our own lives because of the power of indwelling sin and the pervasiveness of temptation, we can go to the resources of God.  We have the power of the risen Christ, the full armor of God, the authority of the Word of God, and the ability to resist the devil.  The Bible speaks of discerning between good and evil - and when we can identify the work of the enemy, we can rely on the supremacy of God.

Well

The Scriptures have been given to us so that we might draw closer to God, to learn more about Him, to really know Him, and to experience the knowledge of His presence. God's power will certainly change our lives. In the book of 3rd John, the author writes:
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

The entry of truth into our consciousness has the potential to produce prosperity of soul. God is interested in every area of our lives, and if we are living according to the principles of Scripture, we find that His will is expressed through us.  When we study and meditate on the Word and spend time in prayer, it contributes to our emotional health.  When we apply God's principles in responsible financial stewardship, we can come to know Him as our provider.  That's how it works: the entry of God's Word produces change in conformity to His will.

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The Bible has plenty to say about spiritual and emotional health and well-being, and when we appropriate God's resources, we can have satisfaction in Christ. Proverbs chapter 3 states:
1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.

Yesterday, I commented on our being steadfast and satisfied in the Lord, regardless of trying external circumstances.  Gallup's latest Mood of the Nation survey unveils somewhat of a dichotomy, to which I think that Christian believers can relate.

Frank Newport of the Gallup organization, who has been a guest on The Meeting House, wrote these opening lines of the survey summary:

Gallup's January Mood of the Nation survey confirmed the finding that Americans are largely satisfied with the way things are going in their personal life, despite their remarkable lack of satisfaction with the way things are going in the U.S. more generally.

Newport certainly has an interest in analyzing the role of faith that emerges from Gallup data, and he writes in the summary:

The January Gallup data indicate that 92% of those who attend church services weekly are satisfied, compared with 82% of those who attend less than monthly. The difference is even more evident in terms of the percentage who report being very satisfied -- 67% of those who attend weekly are very satisfied with their personal life, compared with 48% among those who are infrequent attenders. Weekly religious service attenders are, in fact, more likely to say they are very satisfied than are those who make $100,000 or more in annual household income.

He referred to what he calls "a series of in-depth studies" regarding the "religion/wellbeing connection" around 10 years ago.  The findings were presented at a major conference in Washington, D.C. He writes:

...in the words of a summary published afterward, "The very religious rate their lives more positively, are less likely to have ever been diagnosed with depression, and experience fewer daily negative emotions. … The very religious also make much better health choices than do those who are not as or not at all religious."

Newport cited other studies over the last decade or so, and made this sweeping statement: "...the basic finding, as our recent Gallup data reinforce, is robust. There is an enduring and very well-substantiated finding of a correlation between individuals' personal religiosity and various measures of wellbeing, happiness and mental (and, in some instances, physical) health."

The article is fascinating, and deals with "religion" in general rather than Christianity.  Newport essentially rejects the notion that religious practice could be encouraged or reinforced through public policy and notes the seeming decline in religiosity that research has shown.  So, the coup de grace of his piece is this:

Although the connection between religiosity and wellbeing has been well-established over the decades, there would not appear to be much that can or should be done to harness the connection as a public policy objective. Certainly, if citizens become better acquainted with the research showing the positive effects of religion on wellbeing, it's possible they might be more likely to choose to be religious. It is also possible that current trends in religiosity could be reversed in the future, that the nation could become more religious, and that, in turn, could have a salubrious effect on the nation's wellbeing. But there is little evidence at the moment that religion, and perhaps the wellbeing that goes along with it, is going to have an increased presence in Americans' lives in the years ahead.

But, he does say that religious practice could increase "organically," writing that, "Religion in the U.S. has undergone significant ups and downs over time, particularly as evidenced by periodic 'great awakenings' since the 1700s."

And, therein lies the hope - and the challenge for the Church.  What some might term "organic" could best be described as a move of God in the hearts of His people.  But, while a sovereign God can certainly do what He will, we are reminded that the primary instrument that He uses in order to testify to His greatness is the Church, the body of Christ.  

It does make sense to think that if someone is seeking personal wellbeing and the research is clear that religion can enhance that wellbeing, then everyone would be rushing to that type of experience. But, even in light of the overwhelming, unconditional love of God being made available to us, people continue to reject our Savior.  That's because there is a cost - in order to experience His life, we have to die to self.  But...the good news is that in dying to ourselves, we discover more of the abundant life that He has promised to give us.

The Right Ideology

God desires that we be found faithful as conditions on planet earth deteriorate in the final days on the world clock, leading up to the time of Christ's second coming. Prior to that time, there will be a period of tribulation, during which an evil world leader, the Antichrist will come into power. 1st John chapter 2 says:
18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.
20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.
21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.

There will be challenges for the Church in the end times, yet, because we know Christ and empowered in Him, we can continue to have hope. In the midst of trial, we can show people hope; when we are challenged, we reflect our satisfaction in the Lord.  He is with us, and desires for us to walk closely with Him, to hold on tightly, and to continue to seek His face for wisdom and power to navigate what the Bible promises will be some difficult times.

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Jesus, in His final days on earth, spoke of a seemingly dark time when He would return to His Father in Heaven; He also talked about what would be occurring in the times prior to His return to earth. He offered His disciples a challenge, as we find in 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."

The Freedom Convoy in Canada may be coming to an end, as the Canadian government has cracked down on protesters physically in the capital city of Ottawa.  But, the new police chief there has promised that participants in the protest against government overreach, including COVID vaccine mandates, will continue to face retaliation.  So will those who supported them.  

The Post Millennial reports:

According to CTV reporter Mackenzie Gray, senior police sources told CTV chief news anchor Graham Richardson that they were looking to "break the back" of the protest Saturday, and that family members of some convoy participants have reported difficulties in banking due to familial ties to the protest.

In his announcement invoking the Emergencies Act, Prime Minister Trudeau said:

"Financial institutions will also be authorized or directed to render essential services to help address the situation, including by regulating and prohibiting the use or property to fund or support illegal blockades."

The article also noted:

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said that Canadian financial institutions will review their relationships with "Anyone involved in the illegal blockades," and to report to the RCMP or CSIS. This will allow banks to freeze or suspend accounts without a court order.

So, it appears that even someone who was not directly involved in the convoy, perhaps providing financial support, could find his or her financial assets frozen.  This is an example of action taken against someone based on ideology. 

PayPal co-founder David Sacks wrote, regarding Trudeau's activation of the the Proceeds of Crime and Terrorist Financing Act, that:

Banks, according to this new order, have a “duty to determine” if one of their customers is a “designated person.” A “designated person” can refer to anyone who “directly or indirectly” participates in the protest, including donors who “provide property to facilitate” the protests through crowdfunding sites. In other words, a designated person can just as easily be a grandmother who donated $25 to support the truckers as one of the organizers of the convoy.

Because the donor data to the crowdfunding site GiveSendGo was hacked—and the leaked data shows that Canadians donated most of the $8 million raised—many thousands of law-abiding Canadians now face the prospect of financial retaliation and ruin merely for supporting an anti-government protest.

Already, a low-level government official in Ontario was fired after her $100 donation came to light. A gelato shop was forced to close when it received threats after its owner was revealed to have donated to the protest.

As the Family Research Council website stated:

At the end of the day, the most important part of this protest isn't who's funding it or where it's happening -- it's the motivation behind it: personal freedom. No one in a civilized society -- least of all Canada or America -- should want to violate the rights of conscience, FRC's Owen Strachan argued. "I wouldn't want to do that as an American citizen, even if I'm not a Christian -- because the rights of conscience are not like 37th on the list of important factors in a free society, the rights of conscience are basically first. If you take those away, you no longer have a free society."

In the future, holding to the right ideology could determine whether or not a person engages in commerce, similar to what we find in the book of Revelation, which predicts a day in which people cannot buy or sell without swearing allegiance to the worldwide leader, the Antichrist.

The globalist scheme known as the "Great Reset" encompasses a component known as an ESG score. You could, I imagine, call it a social credit score.  Justin Haskins of the Heartland Institute, writing for The Federalist, states:

Although there are several large components to the Great Reset, the three primary ways its supporters plan to change the global economy is through (1) large government programs like the Green New Deal; (2) requirements from national governments that companies adopt environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards; and (3) by coercing corporations and other institutions to willingly adopt ESG metrics using massive amounts of “printed” cash from governments, banks, and investors.

Well, there's another acronym for you: E-S-G, standing for "environmental, social, and governance." So, can a company's ESG score be used to accept or reject a company from participation in the marketplace?  It certainly appears so - and if our investment portfolio or financial transactions don't measure up to the ideology that is consistent with the government authorities, could an individual be penalized financially?  That's certainly a possibility, it seems.

Consider what Haskins wrote regarding the new head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Rohit Chopra.  Chopra apparently wants to create a new government credit bureau which could manipulate credit scores based on ideological criteria. Haskins writes, "The new credit scoring agency would be housed within Chopra’s CFPB and put government in charge of formulating and altering credit scores. It’s not hard to imagine how such a system could be abused and eventually transformed into a government-controlled personal ESG scoring system, one that would provide some groups with financial advantages over others, all in the name of battling climate change or fixing racial disparities." 

It's not hard to draw a straight line from officials who desire power and control who see Christianity as a threat to use the financial system to essentially exclude believers from commerce.  This is reminiscent of the scenario we find in the book of Revelation in which people cannot buy or sell without having a certain mark.  While we certainly regard this as an inevitable outcome because we believe in the authenticity of God's Word, we also recognize that we are called to faithfulness.  There will be opposition; all will not embrace our worldview perspective, but we can continue to see Christ as our source of strength.

We have seen personal freedom trampled upon in so many ways in the face of this pandemic, and the "trial run" is continuing as the ways of the future global governmental system is being ramped up. But God does not call us to be fearful; as Jesus said, we can be of "good cheer," knowing that our ultimate victory is in Him - we can continue to trust the Lord in the important, eternal matters and base our hope in Him.

Rewriting

Paul admonished Timothy to faithfully study and preach the Word of God; in 2nd Timothy 2, he wrote:
24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,
25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,
26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

We should always be diligent to base our decisions on the Scripture, and allow the teachings of the Lord to inform how we view life itself.  It is dangerous to develop our own opinions and then try to justify our words and actions using Scripture taken out of context. We can strive to be knowledgeable about God's Word and go to the Word first. If we place our own ideas first, then we run the risk of not conforming to the teachings of Scripture.

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Paul, sensing that his earthly ministry could be coming to an end, made a bold proclamation in Acts chapter 20, saying:
26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Now that the programming fare on NBC is back to sitcoms and crime dramas after two weeks of the Winter Olympics from China, it's certainly important to continue to view what is going on inside the mammoth country.  By the way, was anybody watching?  The Hollywood Reporter said that:

The topline figure is that the Olympics averaged 11.4 million viewers across all of NBCU’s platforms in primetime. That’s down 42 percent from the 19.8 million average for the 2018 winter games in Pyeongchang, South Korea — in keeping with the trend both from the first few days of the games (and, in fact, closing the gap with four years ago a little bit) and the general decline of broadcast network ratings in the past four years.

The article reported a 26 percent drop from last year's Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Yes, there were bright spots regarding streaming and cable, but the total package was down - significantly.  

Voice of the Martyrs, whose radio program is heard Saturday mornings at 11:30 on Faith Radio, had encouraged people to consider praying for Chinese Christians leading up to and during the Winter Olympics. Some news services used the phrase, "prayer boycott." In a press release, Todd Nettleton, the radio host, stated:

"The Olympics are always filled with wonderful pageantry and inspiring athletic accomplishments. But let's not forget what the host government doesn't want us to see: imprisoned pastors, destroyed church buildings and a complete lack of religious freedom. I hope every Christian will use each event and every Olympic update as a reminder to pray for our persecuted family members in China."

And, as VOM points out, China is continuing to, well, rewrite the Bible to conform to the ideals of the Chinese Communist Party.  It's a ten-year project, and a Faithwire story states that:

VOM recently shared a reimagined version of the Bible’s revered story centered on Jesus’ love and corrective compassion for a woman caught in adultery.

“The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) announced plans to update the Bible to ‘keep pace with the times.’ The revisions will include adding ‘core socialist values’ and removing passages that do not reflect communist beliefs,” a VOM Facebook post read. “In a textbook for high school students released in September 2020, the authors included a passage from John 8, as revised in their new version.”

The new CCP version states, “When everyone went out, Jesus stoned the woman himself, and said, ‘I am also a sinner.'”

Nettleton explains the motivation behind revisions of Scripture: “The issue for the Chinese Communist Party is control. It is always about control,” he said. “And they see the … Christian message as something that would take control away from the communist party.”  The article continues:

Rather than citizens waking up and pledging allegiance to a loving God and pondering ways to serve Jesus, Nettleton said the government’s goal is for Chinese nationals to wake up every day and say, “How can I serve the party today? How can I be a good communist today?”

The article notes that Nettleton "...said images of Jesus have been taken down inside churches and have, in some cases, been replaced with pictures of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Christian hymns, too, have been replaced with communist party anthems."

We can certainly be alarmed at the audacity of the Chinese government to revise Scripture for its own purposes.  But, the CCP doesn't really have the corner of the market on that.  We have to be careful that we, as professing believers in Christ, don't try to use Scripture to justify our sinful or worldly ideas.  

The correct approach to Scripture is that we study God's Word, we seek out the "whole counsel of God," and apply it to our lives.  However, you find those who espouse an idea and then try to twist the Scripture to meet their own ends.  We see Scripture used to justify abortion, gay marriage, and homosexual behavior.  At one point, the Bible was used to fuel support for slavery.  

We should always possess a high view of Scripture and make sure that we are applying a Biblical perspective to the issues of the day.  One thing that we can know is that the Bible is clear about prayer and intercession.  We can apply that to Chinese Christians and other persecuted Christians around the world.

Awakening

Where there are hearts that are open, we know that God will fill the void. In a time in which so many are lacking hope and seeking for it, we can be confident in our faithful God, who gave of Himself so we can know Him. Isaiah 57 states:
15 For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
16 For I will not contend forever, Nor will I always be angry; For the spirit would fail before Me, And the souls which I have made.
17 For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry and struck him; I hid and was angry, And he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.
18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, And restore comforts to him And to his mourners.
19 "I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near," Says the Lord, "And I will heal him."

In this passage, we can see God as a God of revival, who wants to bring a fresh awareness of His presence to those who are humbled before Him. He has promised healing and comfort for our hearts, and has come to bring us peace with Him.  Through our submission to Christ, we can experience that right relationship, so that we might know Him in a more deep and full way, so that our lives might be energized by the power of God.

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As the presence of God is expressed in our individual lives, our churches, and throughout our communities, we can anticipate that He will do mighty works so that Jesus will be made known. In Hosea 6, we can read this:
1 Come, and let us return to the Lord; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.
2 After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight.
3 Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter and former rain to the earth.

One of the common tools that is used by community evangelistic crusades is to go into local schools for an assembly, where a speaker will present a positive message that is consistent with the Bible and invite those attending to come to a meeting that night, held in a local church.  In Huntington, West Virginia recently, it seems, such an assembly which was meant to be "voluntary" was misunderstood by two teachers to be mandatory.  And, that has caused the school district to be in legal hot water.

The opportunistic Freedom from Religion Foundation was all over this situation. The Christian Post highlighted the facts in the case, stating:

Students allege that the assembly sponsored by the school’s FCA club and led by evangelist Nik Walker sought to convert students to evangelical Christianity. Students were reportedly asked to assemble in prayer and if they wanted to give their lives to Jesus Christ or risk going to Hell.

Jedd Flowers, Cabell County Schools director of communications, had previously told The Christian Post that the assembly was voluntary. However, two teachers had mistakenly taken their entire classes to the event even though there was a sign-up process in place.

According to the story, a couple of weeks ago, about a hundred students actually walked out of classes, complete with chants, such as, "My faith, my choice."  The lawsuit was filed this past Thursday.

Now, I know enough about the Fellowship of Christian Athletes to know that there was no compulsory attendance for this school assembly. The Post quoted from an earlier FCA statement, which said, "One way that FCA shows all individuals respect is by welcoming all people to FCA events on a voluntary basis...Coaches, athletes and students are free to choose or deny participation in any FCA event.”

Some of the articles on this story seemed to indicate that there was a school district allowing an evangelist to force Christianity on an unsuspecting student body. This is clearly not the case. And, there's another, much bigger story, at play here that I discovered.

Nik Walker, who is based in Tennessee, has been conducting revival services at a local church, Christ Temple Church, for now over five weeks. In spite of opposition, which certainly can occur because the enemy wants to thwart the work of the Lord, people are coming to know the Lord.  The ministry's Facebook page reports that there have been almost 675 water baptisms over the past four weeks, in addition to numerous answered prayers, and that the revival meetings have now entered their fifth week in Huntington.  Last week, there was this post:

Something was deposited in the city last night…

Absolutely no words for what Jesus Himself did in the room last night. No preaching. No formal altar call. Just Jesus. We continue tonight with an increased anticipation at what Jesus wants to do next. You don’t want to miss it!

There's the story - people touched, lives changed, Jesus showing up in a powerful way.  It has been described as an "awakening." Christ Temple Pastor Chuck Lawrence told the website, Charisma News: "True revival brings hope, and it brings revitalization. I think that's what you're going to see here," adding, "There's going to be a vibrancy that's going to come from this."  He also stated:

"This area has been inundated with a lack of hope. Drug addiction has been paramount and the suicide rates are unbelievable. Young people have run into one thing after another, and life has not brought them what they have hoped for. But the gospel of Jesus Christ can change all of that. I think what they are seeing is that there is hope for them. They sense God's presence; it's real to them. They're not experiencing religion right now but relationship. It see it in their eyes, that hope has arrived. That's what God is doing right now."

The article referenced comments from Shawn Maynard, a former pastor at Christ Temple Church, stating: "Maynard says what is taking place in the Huntington area is 'phenomenal' in a time when many schools across America are experiencing chaos and turmoil—including bitter disputes between parents and boards of education surrounding their children's school curriculum and the toxic cultural atmosphere that is being spread."

My first impression of this story was that some preacher went into a school and broke the rules - that would not be a surprising narrative perpetrated by the mainstream media.  But, there is certainly WAY more to this story.  Because the work of God is being done, and it is so thrilling to report to you about community-wide transformation when it occurs.  We have seen that through such events as Fire in the Field and other large-scale crusades that have been staged in our area throughout the years, producing fruit for the kingdom through changed lives.  

Beginning this coming Sunday night, the dramatic presentation, Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames will be returning to the area for a three nights in Greenville at First Assembly of God; check our Community Calendar for more information.  The drama is presented by a team from Reality Outreach Ministries, which says on its website that, "For 40 years in over 100 countries the message of Jesus Christ has been presented using this drama. Millions of people have given their lives to Jesus!"

So, it appears that revival has come to Huntington, West Virginia.  The question for each of us has to do with revival coming to our own hearts.  We have to make sure that our hearts are open to the work of God in our lives and that we are growing spiritually. If our love for Him has grown cold, or we seem to lack the fervor for Christ we once had, it's important that we ask God to forgive our sins and fill us with His Holy Spirit.  

Finally, a friendly reminder: don't jump to conclusions. You know, there just may be a God story that is there.  When we see headlines regarding religious activities, it is important that we are discerning, but we also can consider there just might be something we are missing.

You Are Loved

We know that the Lord is near to us and invites us to come to Him, to call out to Him in our times of struggle, and to walk in His peace. We gain insight into God's presence from these words in Zephaniah chapter 3:
17 The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."
18 "I will gather those who sorrow over the appointed assembly, Who are among you, To whom its reproach is a burden.
19 Behold, at that time I will deal with all who afflict you; I will save the lame, And gather those who were driven out; I will appoint them for praise and fame In every land where they were put to shame.

The Lord is with us - if we have been born again, we can know the presence of His Holy Spirit moving through our lives.  We can enjoy the sweet presence of our Savior and experience His peace within. When our minds are racked with fear and anxiety, He has come to bring peace and the assurance that not only is He with us, but He is rejoicing over us, He is singing over us. He loves us and wants us to have sweet fellowship with Him.  He is indeed our source of strength.

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In Psalm 121, we find the Psalmist pointing to the help that is available through the Lord; he wrote:
(1) I will lift up my eyes to the hills-- From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand.

Within the past couple of weeks on The Meeting House program, I have had guests making comments relative to suicide, including Danny Huerta from Focus on the Family in a conversation about teen suicide and how parents can help to intervene.  And, just this week from the Christian Product Expo, Carole Leathem walked listeners through her journey alongside her husband, who was struggling with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

The threat is real; the statistics are staggering. The website of America's Health Rankings states these numbers from 2019:

Suicide is the tenth-leading cause of death in the United States. It is the fourth-leading cause of death for adolescents ages 15-19 globally. In 2019, there were an estimated 3.5 million people who planned a suicide, 1.4 million suicide attempts and 47,511 deaths by suicide. Firearms were involved in half of all suicides, and there were more than twice as many deaths by suicide than by homicide.

Recently, a high-profile personality shared some potentially life-saving words of encouragement. Montell Jordan is a singer and a worship leader, a former Meeting House guest, who believes that he was directed by the Lord to speak out on the issue of suicide, according to a Movieguide article.  He is quoted in the article, saying:

“It’s amazing what goes viral in today’s culture. I just felt like in my spirit today, the Lord was asking me if I want what’s viral or what’s vital,” Jordan said in a YouTube video about increase in suicidal thoughts among today’s youth and adults. “The craziest stuff goes viral right, but something that’s vital is something that is absolutely necessary. This is a post out of my obedience to God by speaking what I believe He gave to me to share with you and it’s probably not viral but I believe it is vital.”

He went on to say: “Suicide rocked me personally...And whether it’s been recent for you or some time ago, that wound can stay fresh. If I could speak to my loved one, I would say to him what I’m saying to you today." He added:

“If for some reason you haven’t felt loved, you haven’t been told that you are loved, please just allow me to stand in the place of that husband, wife, family member, child, parent, friend, pastor … I want to stand in the gap today and tell you, I love you. You are necessary, wanted, valuable, important and I know God loves you because He told me to tell you. You’re incredibly valuable here and now.”

Jordan reminded those viewing that "it's okay to not be okay." He related: “You are not alone,” adding, “When the word of God tells us in Hebrews 13 and 5, I’ll never leave you, I’ll never forsake you … meaning I’ll never abandon you, I’ll never desert you. That’s a promise from God and I know loneliness is a real, legitimate feeling but please don’t allow your feelings to determine your future.”

Comments from Michael Howell of Movieguide were also included in the article.  Howell's son, Connor, took his own life, and Michael was attempting to process his death.  He wrote several things he had learned - he said:

First, we live in a fallen world.

The second thing, "all things work to the good for those who love God." Howell added: 

What if Connor dying would lead to others coming to Christ who never would any other way? I know of at least two examples of this. Was it better for Connor to live, and those souls never to know Christ and go to hell?

What people forget is that when we give our lives to Christ, we trust him to use it in a way that will lead others to him, and sometimes that means unto death. We can either be used by Him or for Him, and often our actions are responsible for which of those he uses.

And, then Howell wrote:

Finally, I take comfort in that God went through everything we went through and more when His son died on the cross. If anyone knows about losing a child, it is God. Only His son was crucified and hated and took on the sins of the world. Past, present and future, including my son taking his own life.

The good news? His son rose and now lives with his Father in Heaven. This is a promise he made my son when he accepted him at age eleven and was baptized. I will see my son again just like God did. I take such great comfort in that reality.

There are several principles to take away from the comments of these gentlemen. Montell Jordan wanted to remind people about God's availability to us, including those who are contemplating taking their own life. We know that He is near to those who are brokenhearted, those who struggle, those who are anxious.  And, He is also near to those who are grieving, those who are confused, those who are having difficulty processing the loss of a loved one. 

The Psalmist wrote about lifting up his eyes to the Lord, who is our source of help.  I know, life has the potential to be so overwhelming that sometimes that it can be difficult to take that step.  But, we can be mindful of His presence and peace.  And, when we walk through a mental health journey with someone else, we can seek out resources based on God's Word in order provide wisdom and direction.  And, as it was mentioned on the Movieguide website:

***If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255***

Focus on the Family also included that number in its Alive to Thrive web resource that is oriented to preventing teen suicide.

The Worldwide Body

We are members of a worldwide body of Christ, and we can remember that Jesus is present and doing His work through His people around the globe. 1st Corinthians 12 reminds us of the scope of that body; it says:
12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.

No matter what our cultural background, as Paul notes here, we recognize that Christ died for all, and He has brought us into a glorious Church, devoted to serving Jesus and bringing Him glory. We are recipients of His love and we have been empowered by His Spirit.  Those who have called upon the name of Christ and have been saved have one Lord, and as we keep our eyes on Him, He will draw us together and lead us where He desires for us to go.

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The Bible reminds us that we are part of the body of Christ, and we can remember that body spans many parts of our world today. Peter writes in 1st Peter chapter 5:
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

We commonly hear statistical analysis regarding the so-called "nones" who do not profess a specific religious faith, which would include those who would be considered atheist or agnostic. You might conclude that organized religion, including Christianity, is losing ground.

But, a new Lifeway Research survey, according to The Christian Post, has some encouraging news. The article states that:

Lifeway Research has identified “7 Encouraging Trends of Global Christianity in 2022” based on data collected by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at the Massachusetts-based Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Specifically, the data titled the 2022 Status of Global Christianity report, demonstrates that “religious faith is growing faster than the irreligious.”

The article relates that,"The data found that the population of 'religionists,' those who subscribe to a particular religion, grew at a rate of 1.27% between 2000 and 2022. By contrast, the number of atheists only grew at a rate of 0.18% in the same time period."

Lifeway also found, according to the Post, that, "The number of Christians worldwide increased 1.17% from 2000 to 2022."  Lifeway's summary states that "With a 1.17% growth rate, almost 2.56 billion people will identify as a Christian by the middle of 2022. By 2050, that number is expected to top 3.33 billion."

And, Christianity's growth is greater in the regions that comprise the so-called "Global South," consisting of "Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania." The most rapid growth, of over 2% is found on the continent of Africa.  The Christian Post article also says:

Currently, Africa is home to about 700 million Christians, while Asia has about 400 million, Latin America has roughly 600 million and approximately 29 million reside in Oceania. The growth in Christianity in the global south is expected to continue into 2050. By then, about 1.3 billion Christians are projected to live in Africa, along with more than half a million residing in Asia, nearly 700 million in Latin America, and about 35 million in Oceania.

The Christian population is becoming more widespread, as well, according to the Christian Post article, which states: "...while there are more Christians worldwide, these Christians are spread out among more countries. The percentage of Christians who live in a country where Christianity is the majority religion decreased from 59% in 2000 to 53.7% in 2022. By 2050, the study estimates that most Christians (50.4%) will live in a country where Christianity is not the dominant religion."

There are several takeaways I wanted to share with you.  For one thing, we can admit that we serve a big God.  He is at work around the world, and people are responding to His invitation to follow Him. Christianity continues to be a potent force in the world today.  And, it's a big world.  It can be easy to interpret the impact of Christianity based on our experience in America, but we can recognize that God is working through His people throughout the world.  

Plus, we can remember that we are not alone in our service to the Lord - we are part of a vibrant body of Christ, giving testimony to the love and power of God.  We literally have spiritual brothers and sisters everywhere, and we can pray and encourage others who are involved in serving Him. 

Rooted in Christ

Each day, we can be reminded that God is with us and that He loves us so much that He sent His Son in order that we might come to know Him, that we might be saved. In John 15, Jesus taught on the concept of "abiding" in His presence:
8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
9 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.

In Scripture, God gives us a clear picture of what a right relationship with humanity looks like - we are called to surrender to Him, so that Jesus might live through us. When we are in that right harmony, or alignment, then we will see the life of Christ expressed in and through our lives. We can bear fruit for His glory, not because we are attempting to do good in our human strength, but because the one true, good, and mighty God, has chosen to use us as vessels in order to show the world who He is.

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Jesus, while here on earth, demonstrated a clear sense of who He was and what He came to do - He expressed it in John 5:
19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.
20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.

You may be familiar with the movie, Hacksaw Ridge, which was a collaborative effort involving filmmaker Randall Wallace and director Mel Gibson (who, by the way, as it's been reported, are working on a sequel to The Passion of the Christ).  The film portrayed a young man, Desmond Doss, who had a conviction that he should not be involved in combat - he served in the Army as a medic, and was involved in saving numerous lives in an especially intense battle.

Doss was played by Andrew Garfield; his brother, Harold, was played by a gentleman named Nathaniel Buzolic. The Movieguide website featured a story recently in which the actor is quoted - it says:

“​​Have you ever read the Gospel of Mark & started to wonder why Jesus kept instructing people whom He healed not to share who Healed them with anyone?” Buzolic wrote beneath a picture of the Sea of Galilee. “We first see this in CHP 1 of marks gospel – after The leper is healed jesus sternly warns him with these words’ see that you say nothing to anyone, but go show yourself to the priest, then for your cleansing, offer what Moses commanded as a testimony.’

“The leper Didn’t obey these instructions & Jesus’ fame spread quickly through the region your looking at in this photo.”

Buzolic adds that more important than any physical miracle of Jesus’ earthly ministry was Christ’s work on the cross and the saving of humans from their sins.

“Jesus didn’t want people to proclaim Him as the healer simply because this wasn’t Jesus’ primary purpose for His visitation among men. In fact if you read the verses before This exchange with the leper we get a clear understanding of exactly why Jesus’ came & what He felt tasked to do,” he wrote.

The post also included these words:

“Now don’t get me wrong, God can’t help but Heal, which is why Jesus continued to heal as the crowds continued to bring the sick, lame & ill,” he continued. “But what is far more important than a physical healing was a renewal of the mind. To be transformed on the inside by the word of God so that His people would trust him despite our current circumstances trials or tribulations.”

Less than two weeks later, another Movieguide article focused on more relevant quotes from the actor, related to Psalm 1; Buzolic wrote: “The Christian becomes a tree, a tree planted by the living waters of Yeshua of Nazareth,” adding, “The longer you remain by Him the deeper your roots will forge into the full knowledge & glory of the kingdom of God.”  He also stated:

“When trials come it will be these trees that will have no fear, rather becoming beacons of life, a life that chooses to cling to the saviors ways, words and commands,” he explained. “Droughts will come as judgement pours out on this wicked world, and thus tribulations will arrive to all but these trees will not worry, will not be anxious in thought because their confidence is in Adonai the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. They have recited His ways, remembered His words, seen His works and hold to every promise He proclaimed to all nations.”

There are several noteworthy principles that come to mind as I consider some of the content that Buzolic has put online recently.  For one thing, we should always make sure we believe in the healer more than the healing.  That's a subset of the overall principles of believing in the giver rather than the gift. Certainly, we rejoice when we are blessed by God, but we should always look to Him, not simply because of what He can do for us, but for who He is.

That leads to a powerful second principle: We can embrace who He is more than what He does. Certainly, we are instructed to call upon the Lord and present our requests to Him. But, our priorities are misplaced if we are concentrating more on His mighty works than enjoying a relationship with Him and abiding in His love. 

We can also be careful to worship the Creator, not the creation.  We're told that the heavens declare the glory of God. We can look and see the beauty of what He has made all around us. Unfortunately, you have those who have supplanted God and His preeminence and made creation an idol to be served and submitted to. We can care for the environment without making the environment an object of worship.

Finally, we consider who we are more than what we do for Him.  Our relationship with God is not determined by how much work we do in order to earn favor with Him - we have a right status with the Father because of Jesus, and if we are trusting in Him and allowing Him to live through us, fruit will be borne, works will be produced for His glory - but we have to be careful not to get things backward.

Disciple

If we name the name of Jesus, if we claim to be Christians, then ideally people should see the presence of the risen Christ through us. The early Church was distinctive in its display of their love for and surrender to the Lord. In Acts 2, we can read these words:

42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

It think it can be helpful for each of us to take stock of the degree to which we not only consider ourselves true disciples of Jesus Christ, but how we are living that out. If we call ourselves Christians, then we should possess a deep love for our Savior and a sense of devotion to Him. Our lives should be bearing fruit that demonstrates that love and the degree to which we allow our Savior to live through us. We can be challenged to live up to the name above all names, by the power that He gives. 

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Jesus issued the invitation for those "with ears to hear" to follow Him and become a disciple. In Luke chapter 14, He taught:
26 "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.
27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

Jesus has called us to be His followers - His disciples.  We begin that journey when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and are born again and He calls us to spiritual growth. As we learn, we can grow into a deeper walk with Him.

There is new survey data that has been released by Barna Research, in partnership with The Navigators, concerning discipleship, and the findings might be considered disappointing.  The survey summary at Barna's website states:

For this study, researchers identified Christians who were both being discipled and discipling others as those who are fully engaged in discipleship community.

Just over one in four U.S. Christians (28%) falls into this category. Another 28 percent are being discipled, but are not helping others grow closer to Christ, and a very small percentage (5%) is only discipling others.

By these definitions, this means the plurality of Christians (39%) is not engaged in discipleship, in any direction.

Among those who are considered to be in "discipleship community," using the terminology of the summary, almost 6 out of 10 say that "My relationship with Jesus impacts the way I live my life every day." Among all Christians surveyed just over 4-in-10 agree with that statement.

Less than half of Christians say "My relationship with Jesus brings me deep joy and satisfaction." 2 out of 3 in "discipleship community" agree with that.

So, it's no surprise, when less than half of Christians in that survey are not satisfied in their Christian walk and are not allowing their relationship with Christ to impact everyday living, that there is a problem with people who claim the name of Christ helping others to grow.  The summary says:

However, there are many Christians who are not actively helping others grow closer to Christ. What holds them back?

Not feeling qualified or equipped (37%) is the main barrier for this group. Additional Barna research shows that disinterest in disciplemaking is tied to a fear of not being good at it, of not having enough knowledge or of being the wrong person for the job. The confidence crisis is a core issue.

It appears from the data, as well that some believers "seem only to need a push. One in four says the practice of discipling others hasn’t been suggested to them...or they haven’t thought about helping someone grow closer to God."  22% hold to that position.

We are called to communion with Christ, as well as communion with the rest of His body. When we are born again, we become members of that glorious entity and we can find commonality with those who have had the same experience. 

There is certainly a purpose to it: We have been given gifts in order that we might serve one another and to strengthen the body of Christ.  We can seek to discover how God has uniquely gifted us in order that Jesus may be glorified.

It was noted in the movie, Fireproof, with respect to marriage, but it occurs to me that it could apply here. The principle is that you can't give what you don't have.  If we're not satisfied in Jesus, if He is not occupying the Lordship position in our lives, then it's really hard to be motivated to share that with others.  Our deep love for and contentment in the Lord will flow to those around us. 

A Convoy for Justice

We are representatives of the risen Savior, who gave His life for us, even though humanity had sinned against Him and we deserved to die. We can be sensitive to the causes of people around us. Proverbs 21 says:
13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.
15 It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.

We were separated from God because of our sin, and Jesus has come in order that we might be united with Him and sent us into this world, on a mission to share and live His truth.  We can bring hope to those who are discouraged and freedom to those who have been held captive. We have the opportunity to bring Biblical truth into our culture and to be a bold public witness. We can depend on the Spirit to show us where - and how - we can be involved in ministry.

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Christians have historically been people who speak up on behalf of those who are facing hardship. We have a rescuer in Jesus, who teaches us that we should be compassionate upon those who are in travail. Proverbs 31 states:
8 Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.

The thirst for freedom that people demonstrate against authority they perceive to be misguided can be refreshing, as long as it remains peaceful and focused. And, waves of freedom throughout history have had a spiritual dynamic. This was certainly true for the American Civil Rights movement.  I think about the people of Hong Kong, who took to the streets in order to try to prevent the implementation of the Communist ideals of China.  The fall of the Iron Curtain showed how people who are united together can make a tremendous impact; and in the case of Romania, the protest against the Communist government took on a spiritual dimension. Even the seeds of the American Revolution were planted and harvested from spiritual soil.

So, when you have a mass call for freedom in Canada, it is not surprising that there are spiritual elements. I have covered instances in which churches have been shut down and pastors arrested due to draconian measures to try to deal with the coronavirus.  And, now Canadian truckers, in response to the government's mandate for people to receive the COVID vaccine and restrictions for those crossing the border, have traveled the country en masse in a convoy, arriving a few days ago in the national capital of Ottawa.

One such instance took place near the border between the province of Alberta and the United States, according to a CBN/Faithwire article, which stated:

Vowing to remain stationed at the U.S.-Canada border, truckers with the so-called “Freedom Convoy” were captured on video Monday reciting the Lord’s Prayer as they gathered inside a nearby restaurant.

The prayer came amid tension between Canadian law enforcement officers and truck drivers protesting stringent government mandates requiring unvaccinated truckers commit to two weeks of isolation as well as produce negative COVID-19 tests before being allowed to re-enter Canada.

The story relates that:

Truckers agreed to open up one lane of traffic, allowing residents, school bus drivers, and emergency personnel to pass through, according to Rebel News, whose reporters are on the ground in Coutts, Alberta, at the border.

The wave, aptly named the "Freedom Convoy," was condemned by the premier of Alberta and by the Prime Minister of Canada. 

Franklin Graham has a different point of view, writing on Facebook last week:

I love these guys—Canadian truckers standing for freedom! Mat who has been in Ottawa all week made it clear when he told the media, “We’re not anti-vax, we’re not anti-anything other than anti-mandate…The message is freedom for every Canadian." Another trucker said, “Give people their freedom back. Give people their lives back. Give people their choices back. We want freedom, we want our Canada back.” God bless them! If we don’t defend the liberties that are so important to us, they can be so quickly lost.

Just yesterday, he wrote:

You might be arrested, put in handcuffs, and taken to jail for bringing fuel or food to truckers who are a part of the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa.

Canada is fast becoming a police state. Pastors have already been arrested for having church services during these COVID lockdowns. Pray for our neighbors to the north. Freedom is precious. The issue isn’t primarily masks or vaccines—the issue is FREEDOM, the freedom to make our own choices.

 And, as Faithwire reported on Monday:

Canadian Pastor Henry Hildebrandt, who made headlines last year for holding in-person worship services despite government edicts restricting such gatherings, spoke out in support of the Freedom Convoy Sunday, calling the demonstration – led by truckers — “God-ordained” and comparing it to the biblical story of Jericho.

Hildebrandt was preaching for the second time on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The article reports:

Hildebrandt went on to tell the protesters of “two answers to prayer,” presumably referring to pandemic-related restrictions that had been rolled back in the wake of the start of the convoy.

“If the pastors can’t do it, and if they don’t want to do it, the truckers will show us how to do it,” the preacher said to much fanfare from the crowd. “That’s why I’m in Ottawa and it seems like I can’t leave because I thank God for the truckers that God used.”

And, there are certainly efforts to quell these efforts in Canada and the U.S.  FoxNews.com reported 
that the Facebook page of a group of truckers organizing "Convoy to D.C. 2022" "...was removed early Wednesday in a move that the organizer called 'censorship at its finest.'"  And, as Business Insider related on Monday:

Canadian truckers in Ottawa who are protesting COVID-19 vaccine mandates turned to a Christian fundraising platform after GoFundMe blocked donations to their campaign.

The group, known as Freedom Convoy, has since raised more than $4 million on the Christian fundraising site GiveSendGo.

"To our Fellow Canadians, the time for political over reach is over," the group said on GiveSendGo. "Our current government is implementing rules and mandates that are destroying the foundation of our businesses, industries and livelihoods."

Pastor Tim Stephens of Canada's Fairview Baptist Church, who has been arrested because of his church's stance against public health orders, offers this at the church's website:

Some Christians have too much hope in the result of this protest and others think it sinful. Here are a few points to consider.

1) “Protestant” Christians shouldn’t be immediately repulsed by protest.

2) Supporting freedom, whether for informed consent or the livelihoods (i.e., lives), is loving your neighbor.

3) Standing for truth is always right.

4) Defending the oppressed and needy is righteous. The toll of mandates has far surpassed the effect of the virus.

5) We desire God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. We want abortion to end, slavery to cease, and governments to operate within their biblical bounds.

6) This is an opportunity for the gospel of Christ. The longing for freedom is only satisfied in Christ.

And, there is the crux of the matter - people are hard-wired to be free.  And, the satisfaction of that thirst for freedom comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ, who frees us from our sin, who has defeated the power of death, and offers us a life that is full of joy and peace. 

But, we have to recognize that our appeals for freedom should not be at the expense of other people nor at the expense of our own reputations.  And, a reaction to tyranny should not produce more tyranny.  But, we should always be willing to stand for what we believe in and trust the Lord to show us the right way to go about it.

One further note: have the protests been effective.  Well, this morning, I saw a report on The Washington Times website that said:

Jason Kenney, the premier of Alberta, announced Tuesday evening that the passport requirement to enter businesses in the province will end at 11:59 p.m. local time and most other restrictions will be gone in three steps over the next three weeks.

“Now is the time to begin learning to live with COVID,” Mr. Kenney said in a televised address. “These restrictions have led to terrible division.”

Earlier Tuesday, the Alberta premier also vowed to fight Canada’s federal government over its demand that all trucker drivers be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Evolving

Believers in the Lord should not be known by our anger or rancor, but by our attitude of grace and love. 2nd Timothy 2 provides a better way than desiring to "cancel" the people who hold to a different point of view:
23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,
25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,
26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

The power of the love of Christ can certainly be persuasive in bringing people into a knowledge of God. If we are constantly displaying a sense of combativeness, it doesn't win people to the Savior. I have noted previously that we have to be careful not to put off those with whom we want to effectively share our faith. We will encounter ideas that are not consistent with our outright hostile to Scripture - we can seek to win the argument or win their hearts. 

+++++

In our relationships with others, especially those who don't believe in Jesus, we should approach them with the truth in a spirit of love, as 1st Peter 1 directs:
22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
24 because "All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away,
25 But the word of the Lord endures forever."

There has been plenty of discussion about areas related to "cancel culture" and "censorship" these days. I wanted to isolate one particular area, which actually came from a discussion of one act of perceived censorship, which led to punishment for one particular, well-known talk show host - Whoppi Goldberg.

As the BBC tells the story, there was a discussion recently on The View that...

...was sparked by a Tennessee school board's ban of a graphic novel about Nazi death camps during World War Two.

Maus, which depicts Jews as mice and Nazis as cats, has won a number of literary awards.

The school board said it banned the book because its profanity, nudity and depiction of suicide was inappropriate for 13-year-olds.

Goldberg, a 66-year-old Oscar-winning actress who has been on The View since 2007, told her co-hosts: "I'm surprised that's what made you uncomfortable, the fact that there was some nudity.

"I mean, it's about the Holocaust, the killing of six million people, but that didn't bother you?

But, then, she made the comments that unleashed a firestorm: "If you're going to do this, then let's be truthful about it. Because the Holocaust isn't about race. No, it's not about race." She apologized for her comments, and after more mis-statements on Stephen Colbert's show, apologized again. 

She was suspended for two weeks for her comments on The View.

Over at The Stream, an article written by Richard Weikart of Discovery Institute states:

Up to the about the 1850s, Jews in Europe were usually identified by their religion. Jews who converted to Christianity were usually no longer considered Jews. They were treated as full and equal members of society.

But in the late nineteenth century this changed, as biological determinism gained adherents. This view taught that heredity determined human traits, even behavioral traits. On this view, the racist stereotypes of Jews as greedy, deceitful, and sexually immoral were chalked up to heredity. It was “in their blood.”

This viewpoint began to take root in the scientific community in subsequent years, and Weikart points out:

Hitler embraced this scientific racism and the view that races were locked in an inescapable Darwinian struggle for existence. The “fit” would survive and reproduce. And they would wipe out the “unfit.” Thus Hitler believed he was helping promote evolutionary progress by favoring the supposedly superior Aryans and killing those deemed inferior. Highest on his hit list were Jews. But he also aided the mass murder of myriads of Sinti and Roma (Gypsies), Slavs, and others he saw as racially inferior.

Whatever people today may think about the status of Jews, certainly Hitler and his Nazi comrades considered the Jews a race. For them, killing Jews was all about race. That is why they exterminated people with Jewish grandparents, regardless of whether they were atheists, agnostics, Christians or adherents to Judaism.

Weikart writes for the Discovery Institute's website, EvolutionNews.org, and days ago, released an article relating Darwin, whose birthday falls this coming Saturday, to modern-day anti-Semitism, racism, and real white supremacy.  In a published excerpt from his book, "How Darwinism Influenced Hitler, Nazism, and White Nationalism," we can read:

If we delve deeply into the ideology of Nazis, neo-Nazis, and white nationalists, we find that Darwinism — the view that species have evolved over eons of time through the process of natural selection — plays a fundamental role, shaping their views about race and society.

Referring to the motivation of Columbine shooter Eric Harris, Weikart writes:

Both Hitler and Harris, together with other Nazis and white nationalists, believed that Darwinian theory contributed several key ideas to their racist ideology. Most importantly, they thought Darwinism implied that different races had evolved to different levels, so they considered some races superior and others inferior. Further, they believed that these allegedly unequal races were locked in an inescapable struggle for existence, in a competition to the death. Nazis and white nationalists consider it their mission to advance their own race in this universal racial struggle, even to the point of perpetrating violence against those deemed their racial enemies. In the Darwinian struggle for existence, someone has to die, after all.

While there may be a different of opinion about how Whoopi's comments should be handled, I think we can all agree, as Christians, that racism is evil.  There is also evidence that Darwin's theory of evolution is contrary to Scripture and has contributed to a misunderstanding of race. And, you have authors who have connected the dots. 

Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis and Charles Ware of the College of Biblical Studies are two such authors; they co-wrote the book, One Race, One Blood.  A piece on the Answers in Genesis website contributed by Ken Ham and related to the book features these words:

Now, don’t get the idea that evolution is the cause of racism. Sin is the cause of racism. But Darwinian evolution fueled a particular form of racism by giving individuals and the masses a scientific excuse to pursue this godless philosophy by using evolution as supposed justification for discrimination, abuse, and even mass genocide.

Darwinian evolution was (and still is) inherently a racist philosophy. It teaches that different groups or “races” of people evolved at different times and rates. Most people have never read The Descent of Man, but they need to so they can see for themselves how racist Darwin’s ideas are.

William Blocker, the President of that college was on The Meeting House recently and talked about matters of race and the glorious concept of the Imago Dei, the "Image of God."  We recognize that racism counters that Biblical philosophy.  So, we should recognize that the adoption of the teachings of God's Word and power of Christ's love enable us to see through His eyes and to reject racist beliefs.  

What should happen to the career of Whoopi Goldberg is certainly a matter of opinion. I think her comments showed ignorance more than malice. I would imagine she and I would not find a lot of points of agreement, but do we as Christians want to be known for our angrily trying to silence and punish people with whom we disagree?  Does she deserve permanent suspension or termination?  Or no punishment at all?  These are difficult choices.  I do know that we should be so confident in the weight of our Biblically-informed ideas that we should not feel threatened by those who believe differently.  And, we should certainly not want to "shut down" those who are of a different racial or cultural background.