Mobilizing for Missions

The book of Proverbs addresses the importance of being strategic in fulfilling the mission to which God has called us. The 24th chapter says:
3 Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established;
4 By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;
6 For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.

Recently, I have reported to you about an effort in Africa to ramp up the missions efforts on that continent, and have been tracing the Global Church Network and its initiatives to complete the Great Commission.  All around the world, we see that believers are being positioned to do amazing work for the Lord.

We can be very thankful regarding the work of various organizations that are equipping people to follow the Lord into the entirety of the world.

And, even in a nation such as Australia, where there have been reports of the Christian influence waning, a missions mobilization effort is occurring. 

Decision Magazine reports that:

Polling by Statista Research confirms other data showing a decrease among Australians who identify with the Christian faith. The most recent national census, in 2021, showed 44% identified themselves as Christians—an 8% decline from only five years earlier. The most recent statistics available also showed around 40% who didn’t identify with any religion.

And, the research shows a rise in other religious groups, as well as groups claiming no religion. 

But, a group comprised of hundreds of churches in the Land Down Under are gearing up to reverse the trend.  The article says:

Reach Australia, a network of more than 260 churches working together to plant more Gospel-centered churches with the goal of spreading the Gospel, says this shift away from the Christian faith presents a window of opportunity. The ministry is launching an ambitious initiative with an “Australia-wide vision” to bring the Good News to every people group Down Under.

A video produced by the organization says: "By 2030, we want to see 200 more churches evangelized into existence, along with 750 local church leaders equipped for this urgent task so that local churches like yours can thrive."  It adds: "Churches aren’t growing in Australia. … Reach Australia longs to see our nation won for Jesus through healthy, evangelistic and multiplying churches.”

Decision notes:

According to Reach Australia, only one in five churches there offer any type of evangelistic training. Over the last 12 years, Reach Australia has planted over 120 local churches across Australia and helped train churches in evangelism, “but we have only scratched the surface,” the group says.

Statista’s data show that even though historically Australia has been a Christian majority country, more than 120 different faith traditions are practiced among a diverse migrant population and as well as growing secularism.

In fact, the article quoted from an attendee who attended a Reach Australia gathering, who said 1300 people showed up "...across denominations with a shared Gospel conviction about reaching Australia. That is the work of God."

In a seemingly unrelated development that could be helpful to young people in the nation, CBN.com reported: "Australia's states and territories unanimously backed a national plan...to ban most forms of social media to children younger than 16."

The article said:

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held a virtual meeting with leaders of the nation's eight provinces to do what is "necessary to protect kids."

"Social media is doing social harm to our young Australians and I am calling time on it. The safety and mental health of our young people has to be a priority," he said during a news conference.

The measure would make platforms including X, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook responsible for enforcing the age limit.

CBN noted:

The prime minister cited evidence that there are risks to physical and mental health of children from excessive social media use.

"If you're a 14-year-old kid getting this stuff, at a time where you're going through life's changes and maturing, it can be a really difficult time and what we're doing is listening and then acting," he said.

However, critics of the national plan say most young users are tech savvy enough to get around such laws.

Last month, more than 140 experts in the technology and child welfare fields signed an open letter to Albanese opposing a social media age limit saying it was "too blunt an instrument to address risks effectively."

Government officials have likened the proposed social media age limit to the laws that restrict the sale of alcohol to adults aged 18 and older across Australia. Children still find ways to drink, bypassing the prohibition.

I would actually submit that exposure to technological influences certainly can be a impedance to young people receiving the gospel.  So, you could make the case that a heightened emphasis on evangelism with a reduced exposure to technology among young people could be a positive net gain for Christianity.  

The big picture shows us we have to be strategic in our efforts to reach the lost.  The old adage that says that if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail is so true when it comes to missions and other forms of Christian ministry.  Surely, there is a dependence on the Holy Spirit that we should have. But, through God's Word, His wisdom, and the manifestation of the direction of His Spirit, He will anoint and cement His plans in our hearts, so we can be more effective in reaching our communities and our nations with the gospel.

Life-Affirming Engagement

There is a passage of Scripture in the 139th Psalm that was used in a recent online encounter to defend the sanctity of life.  This provides an important perspective in our support for the unborn. It says:
13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

I have talked about how the humanity of an unborn child, in some circles, has been buried under the weight of the appealing, yet misguided, message that abortion is an expression of some mythical entity called "reproductive rights."  In the Christian, pro-life community, it's important that we rid ourselves of this inferiority complex we have developed, being intimidated about sharing our Biblical, pro-life perspective.  And a YouTube influencer gives us some inspiration, as he has actually engaged a prominent entertainer, who just happens to possess a misinformed point of view on abortion.

It began with comments that pop singer John Legend made in a conversation with former NFL player now media host Shannon Sharpe.  Faithwire reports:

After initially telling Sharpe he “always” supported abortion, Legend said, “Actually, not always. I grew up in the church, and we were taught that, you know, we were supposed to be pro-life.”

“As soon as I became an adult, I just realized that we need that choice,” explained the singer-songwriter. “We don’t need the government telling us what to do, and women don’t need the government telling them what to do with their bodies. And life is complicated, and there are all kinds of reasons why people might want or need an abortion, and the government has no place in that decision.”

The article notes: "The former professional athlete asked Legend about Teigen’s 'life-saving abortion,' which the social media influencer used to characterize as a miscarriage but eventually shifted in 2022 to referring to as “an abortion to save my life for a baby that had absolutely no chance.” It went on to say: "Legend ultimately argued the pro-life position would outlaw the necessary medical treatment Teigen received upon learning her and Legend’s unborn child’s life was not viable."

Enter Christian YouTube influencer Ruslan. Faithwire stated: 

In a video reaction of his own, the well-known YouTube star said pro-lifers “are with” Legend and Teigen on medically necessary procedures, like the dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure often needed after suffering miscarriage.

After miscarrying, Teigen required a D&C.

“You know that the pro-life position is about elective abortions,” said Ruslan. “Your baby was tragically dying; your wife was miscarrying. She needed a surgical procedure called a D&C to take the tragedy of a dead baby inside of her out.”

That's a deception that the pro-abortion advocates use, saying that pro-life laws prevent medical treatment for miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies, which is patently false, according to pro-life research organization, the Charlotte Lozier Institute. 

Well, Mr. Legend responded to Ruslan's video, posted on Instagram, saying: “The ‘pro-life’ position is that the government should be involved in the most intimate decisions any woman could make. Making something illegal means the government has to enforce and adjudicate these intimate decisions and procedures. The government has the power to force someone to carry for [nine] months. It has the authority to adjudicate whether or not a woman meets whatever exceptions are granted by law.”  

Ruslan said: "‘Making something illegal’ is the same thing we do with murder, drunk driving and a variety of other laws that protect people...[S]o yes, the government enforces all sorts of laws.”

Legend said that the two men "were at a 'moral stalemate' because the YouTuber believes a 'fetus' — an unborn baby — has 'equal or more rights than that woman while Ruslan believes human beings have right beginning at conception, citing Psalm 139:13-14, which states, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” 

Legend said, "I simply don’t believe that...and don’t believe the government should force that belief on the public against their will.”

You see here the nature of the arguments between the pro-abortion and the pro-life positions. Those who champion so-called "reproductive rights" accuse lawmakers of invading private decisions. I would contend that engaging in activity that results in pregnancy authorizes government officials to step in to protect unborn life.   

Poll after poll show that the majority of Americans, including those who regard themselves as "pro-choice," believe that there should be regulation of abortion.  I think that shows that there is moral concern over this issue. Hopefully, the rejection of measures in three states that would allow abortion during the entirety of a woman's pregnancy will provide needed momentum in the fight to defend the sanctity of life.  

This encounter between Legend and Ruslan can show us that there is a need to discuss the issue, to engage in conversation about these very important principles. We can depend on the authority of God's Word and the power of His Spirit in order to engage with conviction and compassion.  We can also rely on valuable resources that can help us defend the unborn and discuss their humanity.

4B = 4Gotten Virtues

God has a plan - it's a good plan. When we walk in obedience to it, we can reflect His glory and have peace and satisfaction. When we follow our own whims and think we know better, then there are consequences for that. 1st Peter 1 reminds us about our call to obedience:
13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;
15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

I came across a rather odd protest movement recently, in an article from USA Today that had to do with what is called the "4B movement," which apparently originated in South Korea.  The USA Today article stated: 

The "4B" movement gets its name from four Korean words that all start with the letter "b": bihon (heterosexual marriage), bichulsan (childbirth), biyeonae (dating) and bisekseu (sex). You join the movement by giving up all four with men.

A good portion of the article deals with a lady named Ashli Pollard; the article says:

The 36-year-old entrepreneur says she's been part of the 4B movement for two years. Originating as a protest against misogyny and sexism in South Korea, the movement has four requirements for women who participate: No dating men, no marrying men, no sex with men and no childbirth.

Following the results of the 2024 presidential election − during which abortion became a sticking point for many voters − some women are encouraging each other online to bring the movement to the United States.

But, as the USA Today article points out:

The 4B movement is controversial for many reasons. For starters, political issues − even ones steeped in gender politics like abortion − don't cleanly split along gender lines. Plenty of women oppose abortion, and plenty of men support it. Plenty of women voted for Trump, and plenty of men for Kamala Harris. Plus, mental health and relationship experts say, taking your political frustrations out on the person you're dating isn't a good idea. After all, what if your partner shares your values and feels just as upset about the state of politics as you do?

Relevant Magazine, a Christian website, noted:

Many women are using 4B to express discontent with political outcomes and social dynamics, especially as they see gender issues becoming more politically charged. Some American women are even vowing to adopt elements of 4B, inspired by those who have embraced life paths free from traditional male relationships.

Over the last week, young women on Instagram and TikTok have begun to share the ideologies of the 4B movement with their friends and followers, encouraging other women to abstain from relationships with “men who do not respect them.” In fact, within the first two days after the election, there were over 500,000 search inquiries for “4B movement” on Google, becoming one of the top trending topics on the online search engine.

So, how should Christians view this movement. Relevant goes on to say:

Author Lisa Bevere shared a video explaining the 4B movement to her followers on Instagram, writing, “B4 also could mean less promiscuity, STIs, & STD’s, less abortions! Is this an answer to our prayers?”

At the root of the movement is American women asking for respect and equality from the people around them. And as writer Emma Jarred shared with RELEVANT, the Church has the opportunity to show the world what that respect can and should look like.

She wrote, "Let’s start by examining our hearts, minds and motives because enormous healing is needed here, and every little bit is one step closer to God’s Kingdom.”

Well, make no mistake, the Bible teaches to value one another just as our Lord values each of us. And, we should always understand the incredible giftedness and roles that men - and women - have. As Jarred writes in another Relevant piece: "During the period of the formation of the Early Church, women were already a second-class gender. They had no rights, no say in politics, society, philosophy or religion. Jesus had taken the first steps of turning that around...Paul also held women in equal standing to himself and they were integral to his ministry. He told husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the Church, in a time and culture where women were held responsible for the fall of man and therefore treated horribly."

I think we have to recognize that the enemy's agenda is to divide the Church.  He has all sorts of ways in which he will do that, including pitting men against women.  I have seen the erroneous teaching that attempts to pit Jesus against Paul regarding their position on the role of women.  Fact is, the Bible is the picture of consistency regarding how we are to treat one another.  

Well, the "my body, my choice" crowd may just be backing down from those reckless choices which have led to unwanted pregnancies and the attempt to avoid consequences by terminating the human being produced through their bad choices.  John Stonestreet of the Colson Center, heard on Breakpoint on Faith Radio, spoke a few months ago at Hillsdale College - here's what The Collegian had to say:

“This disconnection from purpose — to actually see the body as nothing more than a pliable canvas that we can do with whatever we want, because it has no inherent purpose, it has no inherent value other than what I assigned to — that is the new sexual ethic,” he said.

Stonestreet said this detachment, instigated by the sexual revolution of the 1960s, has continued to impact the way today’s culture views the human body.

“We’ve basically taken away all the rules, all the boundaries, all the fences, and said, ‘If you just go do whatever you want, follow your heart, you be you, do whatever you feel, you will have freedom and truth and prosperity and all that sort of stuff,’” he said. “And guess what? It did not bring the salvation that the sexual revolutionaries promised.”

According to Stonestreet, the beliefs championed by the sexual revolution have led to a culture separated from God’s design.

The article continues by saying, "Stonestreet said in order to effectively shape culture, Christians should demonstrate sexual morality by recognizing that sex, marriage, and babies are inseparable." But the 4B'ers want to detach; to become separate from God's plan - championing abortion and eschewing healthy relationships. 

These are confusing times that present an opportunity for each of us to live bedrock truth.  We can demonstrate a joy that is not of this world that counters this apparent despair to disconnect from God's perfect plan. 

Corrupted Saints

The enemy has plenty of weapons in his arsenal that he will turn on Christians, to hit us in our points of vulnerability and diminish our walk with Jesus. Plain and simple, one of his main arenas is in the mind, and that is why we have to be very cautious regarding what we allow in. Romans 13 states:
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Here is a strong and troublesome statement from a recent article at The Christian Post:

Even though practicing Christians were still found to view pornography less frequently than non-Christians, the gap between the two groups was only 14 percentage points. Some 54% of Christians reported viewing pornography compared with 68% of non-Christians.

That data was included in a recent report from a report from the Barna Group called Beyond the Porn Phenomenon, which was conducted in tandem with Pure Desire Ministries. The article said, "researchers found that pornography use is so prevalent among all demographics and the gap in use among Christians and non-Christians, as well as men and women, has grown narrower over the last eight years."

When broken down by gender, "75% of Christian men and 40% of Christian women reported consuming porn on some level," according to The Christian Post, which relates:

“Despite the Church’s stance against lust generally, it seems little progress has been made to deter many of those who fill the pews from pornography consumption specifically,” researchers said. “The gap between professed beliefs and actual behavior raises questions about the efficacy of current approaches within faith communities.”

Nick Stumbo, executive director of Pure Desire Ministries, who noted that statistics for Gen Z "are even worse," said:

“What may be more troubling is that well over half of Christians who use porn say they are comfortable with their porn use. The reality for those who struggle in the Church is that they, too, often feel like they are alone. When asked, ‘Who is helping you with your struggle with pornography,’ a staggering 82 percent of Christians say ‘no one.’ Isolation is the enemy’s playground..."

The article stated: "The Pure Desire Ministries leader said the Church needs to be the place where people can get free from the troubling habit so many Christians have now accepted."  It goes on to say:

To help churches address the pornography problem among the pews, researchers encouraged leaders to, among other things, partner with experts, prioritize education and awareness and “create safe spaces for people to get real.”

“Ultimately, the Church is meant to be a source of hope for people facing all sorts of challenges in life, including struggles with pornography. By addressing this issue head-on with care, understanding and practical support, churches can fulfill their role as places of healing and restoration,” they said. “Even small steps toward openness and support can make a significant impact in the lives of those struggling.”

So how is that done? How is God's healing released in the lives of believers in this area. On its website, Pure Desire Ministries states:

We believe you were designed to live a life without sexual brokenness or betrayal trauma and the effects they can have on your future. Like you, we once felt powerless, but have found freedom and healing. We now have shared this healing with hundreds of thousands of men and women around the world.

It seems Pure Desire has adopted a small group model, based around three steps: "1. Select your group; 2. Join your group; 3. Start your healing."

This is a challenge, no doubt, for the Church. And, believers should be empowered to use spiritual resources in order to gain victory.  But, when well over half of Christians indicate they are comfortable with their porn use, that shows there is a discipleship deficiency. People are willingly participating in sinful behavior - that is contrary to the marching orders of a Christian.  

We each have a responsibility, I believe, to look into our own hearts and see where we are accommodating sin - this may not be a problem area for some Christians, but what about greed, what about lying?  Do we willingly violate the commandment to love our neighbor by spreading rumors or false information about other people?   There may be those behaviors in which a believer takes part in and actually enjoys.  We have to make sure that we are exposed to the Word, so we can hear the Lord speak to us by His Holy Spirit and identify the areas of sin and take the steps to freedom and forgiveness.  We must not accommodate sin, but we should accept righteousness. 

Heaven and Earth

We serve a great and mighty God, who is the Creator of the heavens and the earth. While we should always be aware of weather conditions, we can also rely on the sovereignty of God and look to Him when calamity comes. Isaiah 45 states:
5 I am the Lord, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me,
6 That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other;
7 I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things.'
8 "Rain down, you heavens, from above, And let the skies pour down righteousness; Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, And let righteousness spring up together. I, the Lord, have created it.
9 "Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him who forms it, 'What are you making?' Or shall your handiwork say, 'He has no hands'?
10 Woe to him who says to his father, 'What are you begetting?' Or to the woman, 'What have you brought forth?' "

In light of the devastation that was caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton just a few short weeks ago, there has been some rather enthusiastic discussion about the ability of humans to actually "control" the weather. And, unfortunately, some of the verbage and vitriol in that area has been amplified, negatively impacting those who are in the profession of predicting the weather.

An article at GreenvilleOnline.com reported that Katie Nickolaou, a meteorologist at WLNS in Lansing, MI, had posted videos on social media regarding the subject...

...posted a screenshot of one of these social media interactions on X, formally known as Twitter. The caption accompanying the screenshot says. "Murdering meteorologists won't stop hurricanes. I can't believe I just had to type that." The screen shot shows a comment on one of Nickolaou's posts in which she says hurricanes are not man-made. The comment states, "Stop the breathing of those that made (the hurricanes) and their affiliates."

Well, even though there are attempts at what is called, "weather modification," such as cloud seeding, if humans had the capability to "create" hurricanes, it seems they haven't been very successful, have they? North Carolina Representative Chuck Edwards is quoted in that article, stating: "Nobody can control the weather...Current geoengineering technology can serve as a large-scale intervention to mitigate the negative consequences of naturally occurring weather phenomena, but it cannot be used to create or manipulate hurricanes..."

And, a meteorologist in Greenville, South Carolina, rightly responded by pointing to the One who does have authority over the weather. The article says: "Greenville-based meteorologist Chris Justus posted on social media...responding to messages about human-controlled weather, of which he said he has received several. Justus, chief meteorologist with WYFF News, was one of several meteorologists reporting on the front lines during Helene."  The article continues:

"I've been asked if the government or mankind in general is controlling the weather," the post says. "Let me clarify; I firmly believe God Almighty is the ONLY one in control. I've been asked, why didn't God stop the hurricane this week. There are many answers to that. Personally, I believe we are an imperfect world and unfortunately we also have an imperfect atmosphere that causes radical changes in our environment that results in severe weather."

Justus went on to say: "The Bible offers many examples of storms, but also emphasizes God's protection in scripture. I believe Divine protection is at work for Western North Carolina, the mountains and the Upstate this week..."

Alabama-based meteorologist James Spann responded to the hoopla in a Facebook post, in which he said: "Professional meteorologists are tired. Another major hurricane has formed and is headed for the Florida Peninsula, so it will be another busy week."  He appealed to potential posters saying, "We have a favor to ask. If you believe…(and he named several theories, such as:)

*The moon has disappeared and was nuked by the government
*Hurricanes are steered and controlled by “chemtrails” and HAARP, and
*Four more hurricanes are being “steered” into Florida this month.

Spann said, "Can you just keep it off this page? I am trying to push critical weather information out in a calm way; your rhetoric is a huge distraction we don’t need right now. I really don’t ask for much, but this would be very helpful."

Axios reported that: "Meteorologist James Spann told Axios...he began seeing an influx of threatening messages and conspiracy theories around the onset of Hurricane Helene." It added:

• The threats include messages like "'stop lying about the government controlling the weather — or else,'" he said. Spann also noted that the harassment faced by young women in the field is even greater.

Level-headedness can be a virtue.  And, if the ability of the government to control the weather is "misinformation" or a "conspiracy theory," then I think you should give scrutiny to a popular theory that appears whenever there is a destructive hurricane - how man-made "climate change" is impacting the weather and intensify hurricanes.  The exaggerations regarding the state of the earth in the face of evil humans run rampant and have been used to craft extreme regulations and to scare people into compliance.  

But, back to what Mr. Justus in Greenville had to say.  We do live in a fallen world. And, the weather is imperfect and unpredictable.  There are those that ask, in the face of natural disasters, how a good God could let that happen.  But, while some would question God in the face of calamity, our position is to continue to trust Him, because, as Justus points out, the Bible also talks about God's protection.  Even in our adversity, we can experience the goodness of God.

Certainly, we should be diligent to monitor the weather. And, people like these meteorologists are in a profession in which they are being relied upon to get it right as often as possible. But, the Bible also cautions us not to worry - we are to cast our cares upon Him.  When disasters come, it gives us an opportunity to share the gospel and to bring the hope that Jesus provides.

Hiding It in Your Heart

We can be encouraged by how God is moving in the younger generations, and give Him the praise for what He is doing. Psalm 78 says:
2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old,
3 Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.

In Psalm 119, we can read about the power of God's Word, with a specific mention of young people:
9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!

On this day before Thanksgiving, I believe we can be thankful for all that we see God doing around our nation and world today.  Not the least of which, the numerous instances of young people who are responding to the Lord in incredible ways, as we have seen at various college campuses, including Asbury, Auburn, Alabama, and others.

And, while there has been plenty of focus on Gen Z, there's another generation coming - Generation Alpha, described as young people born in or after 2010.  So, mid-teenagers and younger are today's Generation Alpha.

There is a trend among this generation that is centered around the learning of God's Word and being able to recite it in a pressure-packed situation.  And, the New York Times, of all places, published a positive look at the growth of the National Bible Bee.  The article, published on November 15, led off with part of the story of a 9-year-old named Daniel Chew, saying:

On Thursday morning under spotlights on a stage in Orlando, Fla., Daniel smoothly recited 19 verses from the New Testament book of Romans to win the finals for his age group at the 16th annual National Bible Bee.

“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think,” Daniel began, reciting the 350-word passage from Romans 12.

He was one of about 360 children and teenagers assembled this week for a competition whose slogan is “To know God’s Word and make Him known.”

The article, by Ruth Graham of the Times, goes on to say:

The Bee has achieved a quiet kind of celebrity status in some Christian circles, and video clips of its young competitors sometimes circulate beyond those communities on social media. The competition demands astonishing feats of memorization that make the televised National Spelling Bee look like a game of tic-tac-toe. Competitors at Daniel’s level memorized more than 570 verses, which they were expected to be able to recite on command.

At the senior level, ages 15 to 18, participants memorize 938 Bible verses, adding up to more than 20,000 words. In some rounds of competition, making even a single error in a long passage — an errant plural or wrong verb tense — leads to elimination.

Graham referred to the Urrego family from California; they "see the Bible Bee as an anchor for their children in a society where, they said, 'truth' is contested by artificial intelligence and pluralism." 

The article includes quotes from executive director Brian Mullins; it states:

Participation has grown significantly since its first gathering in 2009, and it has doubled since 2021, according to Mr. Mullins. This year, almost 13,000 young people took part in the summer training program that feeds into the competition, a record “by far,” he said.

And, the impact?  Consider this from the article: 

The children who compete are “going to go out into the culture and have a tremendous impact for the kingdom of God,” said Heidi St. John, a co-host, during the event’s final day. “Your kids are ready for this fight.”

She co-hosted the event with David and Jason Benham; the article quoted from David:

“Think about children today, right now, struggling with anxiety, suicide, depression at an all-time high, fentanyl abuse, all of this,” David Benham said. He quoted a verse in the gospel of John, in which Jesus promises his followers the gift of peace.

“This is a gift that social media is not going to give you,” he said. “This is a gift that money is not going to give you, or illicit sex is not going to give you, or switching your gender is not going to give you.”

This really is amazing, isn't it?  Just the volume of Scripture that these young people are remembering and reciting.  I think it can challenge us to make God's Word a part of our consciousness, to absorb it so that when we face decisions or trials, we have downloaded the Word of God into the recesses of our minds.  The Bible talks about the transformation, the change that comes, as we "renew" our minds through our knowledge of Scripture. 

The participation in the Bible Bee should send a strong message about the capacity of our young people, as well as adults, to allow God's Word to become a part of them. And, we can be confident that the Church's knowledge of Scripture and its obedience and application, can send a strong message to our society.  David Benham mentioned negative trends we are facing today. I submit that the Word of God can provide a different, more hopeful, direction.

Shutting Down Free Speech

God has equipped us to be able to speak and to speak with the intent of bringing glory to His name by communicating Biblical truth. Proverbs 31, prior to the description of a godly woman, contains these words:
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.

Thursday, October 31 was a dreadful day for free speech in the United Kingdom, because that is the day that a new law establishing so-called "buffer zones" around abortion clinics went into effect.  The Christian Post reported the following Monday:

Buffer zones around abortion facilities went into effect in England and Wales, a development that pro-life advocates contend criminalizes silent prayer and offering help for women and families in need of pregnancy resources.

The zones, which were approved last year after Parliament passed the Public Order Act 2023, went into effect last Thursday. Under the law, it is a criminal offense for someone to be within 500 feet (150 meters) of an abortion facility or the access point of a building that has an abortion facility located inside.

The article goes on to say:

Section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023 states that “influencing” abortion-minded women or people performing abortions is now illegal. The law also prohibits actions that constitute “causing harassment, alarm, or distress” to abortion workers or someone entering an abortion facility.

And, the Post also notes:

On the day that the new law was rolled out, the Crown Prosecution Service also released new guidelines that Right to Life UK fears could create “confusion” about what activities outside abortion facilities are considered illegal.

While threats, assault and verbal abuse are illegal under the Act, the guidelines also list silent prayer, singing around religious pictures, holding vigils and passing out leaflets with what it described as “misinformation” about abortion.

The article mentions a man named Adam Smith-Connor, described as a "military veteran." He was "found guilty of praying silently near an abortion facility in England. The Pool Magistrates Court granted Smith-Connor a conditional discharge, which means the veteran will face sentencing if convicted of future offenses within the next two years." 

He is quoted as saying: “Today, the court has decided that certain thoughts — silent thoughts — can be illegal in the United Kingdom,” adding, “That cannot be right. All I did was pray to God, in the privacy of my own mind, and yet I stand convicted as a criminal?”

Faithwire refers to the ruling in the Smith-Connor case in a recent article, in which it describes how British citizens are fighting back, stating, "In the wake of a series of arrests of pro-life advocates praying silently outside abortion clinics, thousands are petitioning the prime minister of the U.K. to safeguard the rights of British citizens."  The article states:

The newly published petition, with some 60,000 signatures, is calling on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to defend those who choose to pray silently and keep it from being classified as a criminal offense.

In the letter, authored by the Alliance Defending Freedom UK, the religious freedom advocacy group argues “buffer zones” have “quickly become thought- and speech-restricting ‘censorship zones.'”

The letter also says: “The slippery slope is clear; if the criminal law requires us to refrain from ‘offensive’ thoughts anywhere, there is simply no logical endpoint,” adding, “Today, it’s pro-life views that offend progressive social orthodoxies; tomorrow, it could be gender-critical views and gender-critical buffer zones. A genuinely democratic society must champion diversity of thought and the free and frank exchange of views.”

Good for these tens of thousands of British citizens who are appealing to their government to address an unjust law.  This is a totally appropriate action, and can provide encouragement for Christians in our country to make sure that we are up-to-date on issues and engaging. Faith Radio appealed to Christians to take part in the electoral process earlier this month, and we continue to provide a Biblical perspective on issues that are affecting us today and could impact us tomorrow.  While we can do our part in selecting good leaders, we can also make sure that we are praying and acting as God leads.

What is happening in the U.K. can also remind us that there are those who want to shut down speech with which they disagree.  Freedom of speech is a bedrock principle of our nation, and we can be reminded that engaging in speech and association is an effective way to share the gospel.  When we have the freedom to live out our faith without restriction, it provides conditions through which we can testify to what God has done in our lives and strengthens our Christian witness.  

One area in which we can be bold to speak is regarding the unborn - while some would rather not talk about, we still have unborn children whose lives are being taken in abortion clinics, and, unfortunately, in the homes of women across America who can order life-taking pills online, which are dangerous, certainly to the unborn child and potentially to the women who consume them.  As people who are aligned with Biblical justice, we can continue to raise our voices to affirm life. 

God's Hand

Soon, we will be celebrating the birth of our Savior; the Bible says that His name would be called "Emmanuel," which means "God with us." We can be confident that He goes with us and can recognize His hand working around us and upon us. Isaiah 43 provides this reminder:
1 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.
3 For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior...

The medic on a battlefield attempted to save a man who had encountered a landmine.  As he began to assist, the soldiers around him dropped to the ground and informed him that there was a tripwire underneath him.  That action by his colleagues may have saved his life.

According to a God Reports story of a Burmese medic named Aung Gyi: "Even though God saved him, Aung Gyi didn’t yet know God." But, he had called out to God as he moved to help the man I had referred to.

The article says:

When he joined the rebellion against the military dictatorship that opposed democracy in Myanmar, Aung Gyi described himself as a cultural Buddhist. He was born in Sagaing, near Mandalay where he grew up. He lost both his parents as a young man.

He joined the resistance to the 2021 military coup.  The article goes on to report:

As a medic, Aung joined the Freelance Volunteer Myanmar (FVM) group helping Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs), which are refugees of war who stay in their country as opposed to finding refuge in another country.

He was dispensing medical supplies and doing children’s programs when he met the Free Burma Rangers, a humanitarian group helping IDPs led by Dave Eubank.

Aung is quoted as saying: “I think he prays a lot and that’s why he hasn’t gotten injured on the frontline,” adding, “So I started asking my girlfriend because I was curious about that. My girlfriend was so happy and we started reading the Bible together. Dave Eubank inspired me a lot. When I graduated from Ranger training, Dave said ‘Pray, think, act’ and so I wrote it down. Whenever I went back to the frontline I always thought about this.”

God was moving in Aung's life - Dave provided a truck for him in response to a prayer. And, God saved his life once again, according to God Reports, which relates:

The third time was in November 2023. He was driving a truck with 25 IDPs and some Rangers in Loikaw, the capital of Karenni, when he came under fire from rockets and machine guns.

“I remembered I needed to do one thing – I needed to pray,” Aung relates. “The Rangers shouted that the jet fighter was diving. I was yelling in my mind ‘God please help me’ and suddenly I stepped on the brake. Bullets came three feet in front of my truck.

“The IDPs were crying, and I just drove fast to get away,” he adds. “The Rangers were shaking, and I grabbed their hands and prayed with them. I said we need to thank God because we are still alive.”

It was time to stop wavering and wondering about God. It was time to make a decision to follow Christ.

He called his girlfriend and said, “I want to get baptized...“Because of God I am still alive.” They were both baptized and soon thereafter, they were married.

The Free Burma Rangers website notes:

Recently, Aung Gyi helped with a medical training for frontline aid workers. He helped to facilitate many worship events for the students. “Every worship night I want to show young people that Jesus is real and you just have to ask him. He’s real. Every night at worship I am so happy. It feels so powerful for me. Even some Christians they forget to pray and connect with God. You don’t need a long prayer – just ‘God help me’ and ‘God be with me.'”

Now as a Christian, life still has many challenges, but Aung Gyi says his goal is to “try to share my life with my people and give love to my enemies.”

We can evaluate the ways that God is getting our attention.  Aung was praying, but he had not yet given his life to Christ.  But, God in His mercy, was responding to him.  He sent Dave Eubank, a man of God, to teach Him about Jesus.  We can acknowledge the abundant love and grace of God moving in a person's life to draw Him to Christ, and pray for tender hearts and obedient servants to minister the Word of God to those who don't know Him.

For the believer, we can develop a sense of knowing when the Holy Spirit is leading.  We should always maintain a top-of-mind awareness that God is with us, and we can continue to train ourselves to recognize the leading of the Spirit.  We can be confident that through the circumstances of life, the hand of God is moving, drawing us closer to Himself.

Playing His Role

Throughout life's challenges, as we pursue what God has called us to do in life - for His glory - we can walk with a sense of anticipation that He will show up in powerful ways. Ephesians 3 provides this reminder:
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

By now, you are probably somewhat familiar with the story of Coach Joe Kennedy, the man who for years walked to midfield after football games to pray and give glory to God. Ultimately, that practice cost him his job.  He went to court and fought school officials' decision.  Finally, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in his favor, and in so doing, opened up a new front for religious freedom, abolishing old interpretations of the so-called "Establishment Clause" of the First Amendment and establishing new standards that are more friendly toward religious expression.

Coach Joe told me at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention last year that he was inspired by the film, Facing the Giants.  His life story has actually been portrayed in a movie called, Average Joe, which had a limited engagement in theaters last month.  It is now available to watch at home.

A recent CBN.com story highlighted the actor who played Coach Joe Kennedy.  His name is Eric Close.  The story noted that Close...

... said the movie tells the former coach’s story of persisting, never giving up, and “ultimately finding faith.” Close said perseverance is a key fixture of Kennedy’s story, as the coach faced a plethora of adversarial moments in his life before finding Christianity.

“I admired his conviction — the willingness to fight for his convictions and for what he felt was right,” Close said. “Regardless of the negative fallout that would come his way, the threats, the loss of work.”

The article includes these words:

“One of the aspects … that I loved about this film is that every person matters — everybody matters,” he said. “God loves; His love is so far and wide and reaches to everybody.”

And that love — and faith — can inspire people to take a stand and do the right thing, even when it’s difficult or seems insurmountable, Close said.

“Through faith, nothing is impossible; you can overcome these challenges,” he said. “You never know when that moment might happen when we’re called to step up and stand for something and make a difference.”

Like Coach Kennedy, Close has shared about the transformative work that God has done in his life. Rewinding to a Faithwire story from two years ago, the article states:

“I had graduated from college and I was sitting in my apartment,” Close said. “I felt kind of empty, just kind of lost. I just remember saying, ‘God, I don’t know if you want anything to do with me, but I miss you.'”

Despite committing his life to Christ as a teen, the actor had fallen away and wasn’t living for the Lord.

“God wasn’t a priority in my life,” Close said. “I knew He was there, but I wasn’t making Him No. 1.”

That simple prayer became a clarion moment for the actor and the starting point of a deeper and more fulfilling faith journey — one he has never looked back from.

“From there, my life just transformed,” Close said. “It was just supernatural.”

Certainly, Close's personal faith brings that spiritual dynamic to the role of Coach Joe Kennedy.  And, we can be reminded that in whatever "role" or "call" that God has appointed us to, He will provide His power and direction.  Because whether or not you're an actor, a football coach, a customer service representative, a cashier, or the CEO of a large corporation, we need God and have His presence available to us.

We can develop a sense of reliance on Him, no matter what difficult seasons we may encounter. And as the Coach has told me, he experienced difficult days after losing his job and pursuing a lengthy court challenge.  But, we, like him, can rely on the sustaining hand of God.  He brings His best to every situation, and by surrendering to Him, we can find that He is able to do magnificent things in and through us.

Pocket Casinos

We're reminded in Scripture to walk in contentment and not to be lured into sinful behavior, resisting greed and pursuing righteousness. 1st Timothy 6 states:
9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.

And, there are those who want to bring this to Alabama...

It does seem like online sports betting is all the rage these days - the entanglement of gambling companies with professional sports has become pervasive, with opportunities to "bet" coming into your home.  

Younger men in America are paying the price. A study was released in September by Fairleigh Dickinson University and its website reports:

The legalization of online gambling and sports betting in much of the United States over the past few years has led to troubling signs of gambling problems among certain groups, especially young men. According to the latest results from FDU Poll’s recent national survey of registered voters, ten percent of men 18-30 have scores that indicate a problem gambling, compared to just 3 percent of the overall population. The survey also shows that such problems are closely related to online betting on sports and online slot machines.

Professor Dan Cassino, the Executive Director of the poll, relates, “...there’s always some chance of gambling turning into problem behaviors, and online gambling is proving to be much more dangerous than other kinds.”

How pervasive is gambling activity today?  The study summary found:

Fifty-seven percent of American voters say that they’ve participate in some kind of gambling or betting behavior in the past year. Seventeen percent took part in just one form, with lottery tickets (43 percent) edging out scratch-off tickets (36 percent) as the most common forms of gambling in the country. About 18 percent say that they’ve played casino games or slot machines in person, and ten percent say that they’ve bet on sports or races online in the past year.

And, the survey also included what is called the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), described as "a nine-question battery that asks about a number of indications of problem gambling behaviors (now often referred to as 'gambling harm'), like borrowing money to gamble, or saying that their gambling has caused financial or emotional problems."

Here are some startling statistics:

• 21 percent of all voters report at least one problem behavior
• 35 percent of those who said that they have participated in gambling report at least one problem behavior
• Of those 35 percent, 15 percent of those who report gambling saying that they have one problem behavior, and 20 percent of gamblers reporting two or more.

And, as the survey indicates: "Twenty-four percent of men report at least one problem behavior, but that figure is 45 percent for men 30 and under, and 38 percent of men 31 to 44."  18 percent of women report one or more problem behaviors from gambling.

One-third of those surveyed indicated that problem behaviors resulted from playing the lottery.  Two-thirds of those who take part in online sports betting report at least one problem behavior, with over half reporting two. 

And, there are those in power who want to bring this to Alabama.  

Alabama Policy Institute, in response to gambling legislation introduced into Alabama, stated:

Legalizing casino-style gambling in the state and establishing a statewide lottery is bad public policy, both fiscally and socially, and it is the wrong solution to address the state’s unsustainable fiscal trajectory. Regardless of who plays the lottery or gambles (regardless of the outcome), the government receives a portion of every dollar spent on these activities. This creates a perverse incentive for the state, especially when conventional revenue streams are volatile. The state becomes addicted to these regressive funding streams, with politicians actually desiring for more and more individuals and families to recklessly spend their money gambling. If a lottery is instituted or gambling increased, calls to further increase gambling will become incessant and government expansion will likely follow in its wake.

While online sports betting has a higher level of problem behavior resulting from it, that doesn't mean that the lottery is safe, either. And, no form of gambling squares with the Scripture, so there is a strong moral and spiritual component.  Overall, it is a clear violation of "love your neighbor," because if you win, someone has to lose.  API's website noted:

Online gambling—on sports or anything else—would turn every smartphone and device in the state into a portable casino. Where there are more opportunities to gamble, higher rates of addiction and negative societal impacts follow.

States that have legalized gambling experience higher rates of gambling addiction, crime, corruption, addiction, and mental health disorders. With more opportunities to gamble, the negative impact of gambling increases. This is especially true as gambling is normalized for children; early and increased exposure to gambling leads to increases in addiction that can cause emotional damage, strained relationships, and ruined lives.

And, there are those who want to bring this to Alabama.  Last year in the Legislature, it came down essentially to one vote to send legislation expanding gambling in the state to the voters.  That should not happen, and legislators should know better.  They try to pass a bill and then pass the buck to the voters, who would have been vulnerable to a barrage of advertising promising all sorts of utopian notions if gambling were expanded.  Begin to pray now that legislators will not allow their regular session to be overshadowed by the empty promises of gambling and that Godly wisdom will prevail.

Israelis on the Run

In Genesis 12, we find that God appeared to a man named Abram, later renamed Abraham, and made an important promise to Him, later confirmed through a covenant agreement that still stands today. We can find these words:
1 Now the Lord had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you.
2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

Violence erupted recently in the Netherlands at a soccer match, as Jews were attacked by pro- Palestinian protestors.  Now, a warning has been issued to Israelis in France by government officials from Israel, according to Worthy Christian News, which reported:

Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) has urged Israeli soccer fans not to attend the match between France and Israel in Paris on Thursday after Jews were hunted in the streets of Amsterdam in scenes resembling the 1930s and World War Two.

The NSC, the Israeli government’s central security body, made the call after the antisemitic violence in the Dutch capital on Thursday following a match between Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv and Amsterdam’s Ajax teams.

The city has announced that security will heightened at the event. 

Meanwhile, according to the article, "...in Amsterdam, police said they detained over 50 people during a pro-Palestine protest on Dam Square on Sunday. 'Also, 340 people were relocated,' the Amsterdam police said."  It added: "Pro-Palestinian groups wanted to rally on Sunday despite a protest ban in Amsterdam under an emergency decree imposed after the attacks against Jews shocked the nation."

The violence erupted on Thursday in Amsterdam at the soccer stadium.  Another Worthy News article noted:

Israel rushed to evacuate Jews from the Netherlands after the country’s worst antisemitic attacks since World War Two rocked Amsterdam following a soccer match between the Dutch capital’s Ajax and Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv teams.

Numerous Jews were hunted and injured in assaults in central Amsterdam by what they said were pro-Palestine “Arabs” whom authorities diplomatically described as “scooter youths.”

Some viewed the violence as the second “Kristallnacht” or the “Night of Broken Glass,” a pogrom against Jews carried out by German Nazis and allies throughout Germany on November 9-10, 1938.

Monday's Worthy News article reported:

Police said two investigations are underway, including one focusing on the perpetrators and one into a possible central plan behind the antisemitic hit-and-run attacks.

“These perpetrators of Arab descent do not always have a criminal record, which means we cannot properly determine what kind of person we are dealing with. It is partly the same group that misbehaves at fairs or in the nightlife,” a riot police officer stressed.

“We have also warned management in recent months that this will get out of hand at some point. Unfortunately, Jewish people are now the victims. This clearly crosses a line. This street terror must no longer be tolerated,” he added.

Police also denied suggestions by the Palestinian Authority and several Dutch media that Israeli soccer fans provoked the violence. They are “still shocked” by what happened on Thursday night in the capital of the Netherlands. “We have seen the ferocity of the attacks but also the cowardice to beat up groups of defenseless people in dark alleys and streets. It was disgusting.”

It is tragic to see that those who side with the Palestinian people, and by extension, Hamas, are purveyors of violence.  The hatred for Israelis that provoked the October 7 attacks is being carried around the world by perpetrators who intend to do harm.  And, ultimately, opposition to Israelis are an assault on the God of Israel.  Harbinger's Daily reported:

Tiauna Lodewyk, an intern with the Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry whose family ran a safe house in Holland during World War II, reacted to the violence in Amsterdam by pro-Palestinian rioters.

“Seeing the tragic and alarming events against the Jewish people transpiring in Amsterdam has further proved the inextricable link between Anti-Zionism and Antisemitism,” Lodewyk told Harbinger’s Daily.

“While I was in Poland this past spring, I witnessed a Palestinian ‘protest’ outside of the Auschwitz concentration camp. Why would a Palestinian protest take place outside a location of the greatest manifestation of Antisemitism—where over one million Jews were horrifically murdered simply for being Jewish? What does the death of Jews have to do with ‘freeing Palestine’?”

“Antisemitism and Anti-Zionism are one and the same,” she stressed. “They both share the same spiritual root.”

“The Lord said that those who come against His chosen people (the Jewish people) and His land (Israel) are essentially coming against God Himself,” Lodewyk described. “The violent intent to harm the Jewish people, as seen not only in Amsterdam but around the world, is rooted in the spiritual reality of Satan’s pursuit to annihilate the Jewish people—thereby rendering God’s promises void by whatever means necessary.”

It is important to see the spiritual implications behind hostility toward Jews. As Jeff Myers of Summit Ministries writes, "...regardless of the personal spiritual state of any given Jewish person, the attacks on Jews have nothing to do with how religious they are. Every anti-God movement from Haman in the Old Testament to the Bolsheviks to the Nazis all sought to destroy the Jewish people because they are a people, regardless of their level of religious practice. Secular Jews are as likely as religious Jews to be targeted."

The Church should continue to stand with Israel and continue to speak out against anti-semitism. We can, as the Bible exhorts us, pray for the "peace of Jerusalem," and decry assaults against those who are part of God's chosen people since the time of Abraham - people who are in a covenant relationship with a God who continues to keep His promises.

Dangerous Alliances

The setup for the last days has certainly been in progress for some time, but as we see the orchestration of world events, the hostility toward the things of God, as well as significant evidence of revival in our world, we can live with anticipation of our Savior coming for His Church. Daniel 12 states:
1 "At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.
2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
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."

Just days ago on The Meeting House on Faith Radio, Jim Garlow of the ministry of Well Versed warned of the growing threat of globalism in our world today.  On today's edition of the program, Hormoz Shariat will talk about conditions within Iran, where Christianity is growing, yet Christians are facing persecution. 

The Bible points to a group of nations who will come against Israel, who have an agenda that is hostile to the principles of Scripture.  When nations that are not rooted in a Judeo-Christian foundation get together, we must be aware that there are enormous implications for the world as we know it.  The landmark global summit, COP29, is now underway, with national representatives discussing measures in which countries are being asked to surrender national sovereignty under the guise of saving the planet. And, not long ago the BRICS summit took place - which derives its name from the prominent nations participating - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.  Other nations, such as Iran, also took part this year.

An article at Crosswalk Headlines expressed concern over the alliances and decisions in which these nations are participating.  It relates:

The U.S.-based group International Christian Concern (ICC) is warning that China’s recent pledge with Iran would heighten Christian persecution in both countries. As reported by The Christian Post, Chinese President Xi Jinping affirmed strong ties with Iran during the annual BRICS summit held in Russia, which gathered leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, along with 10 member countries, including Iran. President Xi of China stated, according to Xinhua: “No matter how the international and regional situation changes, China will unswervingly develop friendly cooperation with Iran..."

The Christian Post quoted from an ICC statement: “China and Iran are known persecutors of Christians, and their mutual support could lead to increased persecution as both countries work to eliminate the practice of Christianity within their borders..."

The article went on to say:

On Sept. 1, China implemented new measures requiring that religious activities, including sermons, integrate socialist values and Chinese characteristics, ICC pointed out. Clergy members are mandated to pledge their allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party.

These measures come after years in which thousands of Christians have endured torture, harassment and imprisonment at the hands of communist authorities.

The Christian Post also noted:

Similarly, Iran has a long history of executing, imprisoning and torturing Christians, ICC said, adding that the nation also supports terrorist organizations, including Hamas, which was responsible for the attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 people who were tortured and killed, including some 40 Americans, and over 254 others taken hostage, many also raped or tortured and killed.

International Christian Concern also stated: “China’s unwavering support of Iran, regardless of Iran’s persecution of Christians and backing of terrorists, shows the world where its priorities lie,” adding, “The combined power of the two nations also raises alarm among Christians, who have already endured years of abuse and imprisonment under the two regimes.”

And, at the BRICS summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin was leveraging his influence, according to Worthy Christian News, which reported: "...at the formal opening of the leaders’ summit in Russia’s Kazan, Putin stated that BRICS is 'especially in demand in the current conditions, when truly dramatic changes are taking place in the world, and the process of forming a multipolar world is underway.'”  That article said:

Later on Wednesday, Putin held separate meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian on the summit’s sidelines.

Erdogan said the two countries are addressing cross-border payment issues. U.S. sanctions and the threat of secondary sanctions have disrupted transactions with China, Turkey, and others trading with Russia.

Newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, addressing the BRICS summit, said, “Over more than three decades since the collapse of the bipolar system, it has become increasingly clear that, from the perspective of Western powers, peace, democracy, prosperity, and development can only be achieved through pathways defined by them.”

The leaders of China and India also held meetings to try to settle tensions they have had.

Certainly, this counterweight to the G-7 nations, as the article points out, "now represents roughly half of the world’s population and accounts for 35% of global output."  And, the ringleaders: China, Russia, and India, with accommodation of Iran.  By and large, these nations are to be regarded as rivals, not necessarily friends on the world stage.  And, these are nations who have a vastly non-Christian point of view:

• China - the government of the state with tight controls on religious practice
• Russia - a secularistic government that has been influenced by the nationalism of the Russian Orthodox Church
• India - a mainly Hindu foundation, with radical elements
• Iran - a nation tightly controlled by proponents of radical Islam.

In spiritual terms, there is a conflict of religious practices and worldviews.  This means opposition to the values and principles upon which our nation was founded. And, a rapidly changing landscape in Europe shows a religious shift as well, with a stronger presence of Islam, as well as a secular society.

In the world today, as well as in our nation, there are growing threats to the practice of Christianity.  But, the good news is that God is working powerfully.  Through the missions efforts of dedicated believers, the gospel is being spread, the truth is being shared, and we can be encouraged by the hope that is furthered by the teachings of the Scriptures, which counter the godless ideologies that we find at home and abroad.

A Life of Service

A key word that we can use in association with Veterans Day is "service." So many have answered the call to serve our country in the U.S. military, and we honor their contributions. We can evaluate our own level of service - to God first, and then to others. 2nd Timothy 2 states:
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.
21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

I am so grateful to see how those who have served in our military are using their background in order to make a difference in our society.  I have had the opportunity to serve with a number of our veterans in the worship ministry at Maxwell Air Force Base, and have seen their incredible dedication to their country and to Jesus Christ.  They are continuing to serve to strengthen those who currently serve and to derive spiritual encouragement and growth from the experience. 

It's also gratifying to see how those who have served in our military are giving back into various roles outside the Armed Forces.  One such example is a former Navy SEAL named Jared Hudson.  After his time in the military, he enlisted in a different sort of fight - to address human trafficking.

An article at the 1819 News website spotlighted Hudson and his work with Covenant Rescue Group, which he formed after being involved in another organization and observing what was occurring overseas - the article notes:

With the help of his wife, Hudson gathered experts to fight human trafficking. They work to bring hope and justice to victims.

The article goes on to say:

Under the umbrella of human trafficking, Hudson said there are various types of black-market businesses, including the child sex trade, prostitution, labor trafficking even organ harvesting.

Regarding kids, some children are sold by their parent or guardian, and some have been impacted directly by their parent or guardian. Many times, Hudson said parents who sell their kids are living in poverty.

It also says, "As impoverished children age, Hudson said it is common to see teen girls selling their bodies to make money."

And, in a strong warning to parents, "Hudson said many of the cases he deals with started with a smartphone." He said: "You want to protect your kids? Then protect your kids. God gave them to you for a reason...There is no reason a child should have a smartphone and have access to the entire world."

On its website, Covenant Rescue Group states:

The heart of CRG is to bring good news of hope and freedom to the millions of victims of human trafficking around the world - to release the captives, bind up the brokenhearted, to bring swift, sure justice to their captors.

CRG provides funding for REAL-LIFE operations that lead to REAL rescues, arrests, and prosecution. We provide essential training and equipment for law enforcement. We create teams that are dedicated to the mission. We spread awareness, advocating through news, social media, and conferences to the growing global problem of human trafficking and how to end it.

Hudson's website notes:

Beyond his military and entrepreneurial success, Jared is a man of faith, rooted in his Christian beliefs, finding strength and purpose in his relationship with God. He recently authored a book called ‘Waging War in the High Places - The Armor of God through the Eyes of a Navy Seal’. He speaks to church groups throughout the nation discussing many different topics with a main focus on the Armor of God.

About 2-1/2 months ago, Covenant partnered with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office in a sting operation that netted 11 arrests, including a state trooper, according to CBS 42 television. Hudson is quoted as saying, “They’ll steal your kids’ mind and talk your kids right out of your house. That’s the thing you need to be cognizant of.” 

The article stated:

“There were 11 felony arrests made,” Hudson said. “So if that doesn’t show you the prevalence, I guess, of child exploitation or human trafficking in particular through child exploitation, then I don’t know what does.”

When it comes to signs of trafficking, Hudson said to look out for behavioral changes in children. They can include heavy drug and alcohol use, social disconnection and irritability. Hudson did explain that unless you’re familiar with that child, changes in behavior can be hard to notice.

And law enforcement is dedicated to fighting this scourge.  CBS 42 quotes from Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham, who said: “The message today to you should be that you should see what’s going on around the state,” adding, “We in law enforcement are sick and tired of it. We’re putting an end to it.”

This is a great example of someone who served our country in the military and is continuing to serve our country is attempting to rid it of criminal activity which preys on our children.  So, today, we honor those who have served and are reminded that their service, even continued service after the military, can be an inspiration. 

For Christians, I think we can recognize that God is never finished with us as long as He gives us the capacity to engage in service.  That's a great lesson for those serving in our Armed Forces, and for any believers.  We serve Jesus with all of our hearts, then we go home when He calls us. And, even in eternity, the Bible teaches that we will have roles even in heaven.  We can dedicate ourselves to lives of service, always learning and growing, developing the gifts and skills God has given us, so that He might receive glory.

Acknowledging the Supernatural Realm

There is great power made available to the Christian in order that we may pray for our authorities, in order that a climate for practicing our faith can be maintained. That is taught in 1st Timothy chapter 2, which states:
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The returns are in, for the most part, and America has elected a new President.  There's a new makeup in the U.S. Senate, and the balance of power in the U.S. House appears to be heading in the same direction as the last two years.  These authorities we have elected have a tremendous responsibility, and we have to pray for them.

While political leaders can do quite a bit, we still have to remember what 1st Timothy 2 has to say about the fruit of our prayers - that is that we can be free to live in a manner that honors God, to practice our faith. 

We also recognize that the moral tone of our nation is ideally set not by politicians, although they can create a political climate, and should ideally be passing laws that help to support our freedom to live out our faith.  But, there are spiritual forces at work in our nation today, and the Church should never ignore the challenges in that arena, because they are foundational for the right functioning of our country. 

It's interesting how people in high, influential positions are talking about God these days.  I have mentioned in the past people like Elon Musk, Jordan Peterson, and Russell Brand.  Even Donald Trump has stated that he believes that God has spared his life and appointed him to save our nation.  

One of the truly interesting and influential people in our cultural consciousness is a man who just days ago recounted a profound spiritual experience he had - and not in a positive way.  He related in an interview clip posted on X, according to The Western Journal, that was attacked in his bed on night, as he says, "by a demon...Or by something unseen that left claw marks on my sides — they’re still there.” The story says that this man "said he woke up confused and couldn’t breathe, feeling as though he would suffocate."

He also noted, "And I sleep on my side, so I wasn’t clawing myself...I don’t have long nails, and they didn’t fit my hands anyway.”

He said that he knew that "I knew it was spiritual, immediately..." This led to, as the article notes, "an intense desire to read the Bible."

The interview was conducted by John Heers, and it was promoting a documentary called, Christianities?: Journey to the Heart of the Faith.  The incident happened about a year and a half ago.  The interviewee was...Tucker Carlson.  He said, according to the Western Journal article, regarding the Bible. 

“I spent a year and a half reading it, then I started re-reading it, and it was just a transformative experience for me, but I’m not holding myself out as someone from who you could get Theological advice because I’m not. I don’t know, I don’t understand any of it..."

Just last week, The Christian Post published an article that said:

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson confirmed to The Christian Post that he believes he was attacked by a demonic spirit in his bed while he was still employed at the network.

"Ephesians 6 is real," Carlson told The Christian Post, referencing the chapter in the New Testament that teaches mankind is engaged in warfare "against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

Carlson also told CP that the alleged demonic attack that left him bloodied took place on Feb. 20, 2023, two months before he was unceremoniously fired from Fox News, though he added that God "wins in the end."

Well, maybe you have some healthy skepticism about the encounter.  And that's OK - the Bible teaches us we should test the spirits.  But, it also instructs us about the nature of evil, which is something that Tucker Carlson has apparently experienced and is talking about.  And, he is encouraging people to turn to God.  A Daily Citizen article from last year noted that just before he was let go by Fox News...

Carlson gave an important speech at The Heritage Foundation in which he described the spiritual battle being waged in America today.

Carlson noted that the main cultural debates we’re having today – over abortion, transgenderism, sexual indoctrination for kids – are not normal political topics. Rather, they’re primarily spiritual fights.

Tucker said:

There is no way to assess, say, the transgender movement with [a political] mindset. Policies papers don’t account for it at all. You have people who are saying, “I have an idea, let’s castrate the next generation. Let’s sexually mutilate children.”

I’m sorry, that’s not a political debate. What? That has nothing to do with politics. What’s the outcome we’re desiring here? An androgenous population? Are we arguing for that?

The article continued:

Tucker went on to discuss abortion, noting the difference between the “safe, legal and rare” mantra the Left used a decade ago, and the new rhetoric: abortion is a positive good.

He said:

If you say, “I think abortion is always bad” or “Well, I think sometimes it’s necessary,” that’s a debate I’m familiar with. But if you’re telling me that abortion is a positive good? What are you saying? Well, you’re arguing for child sacrifice … There’s no policy goal entwined with that. No, that’s a theological phenomenon (emphasis added).

Tucker then drove home his point, saying:

None of this make sense in conventional political terms. … When people … decide that the goal is to destroy things, destruction for its own sake, “Hey let’s tear it down,” what you’re watching is not a political movement. It’s evil.

It was pointed out on my program not long ago that so many of these issues, including what Carlson was discussing, are spiritual issues that have been dragged into the political arena.  Then you have those that say that certain issues have been "politicized" and Christian influencers, including pastors, tell their adherents they should stay out of politics, which mutes the moral voice of the Church in speaking Biblical truth to the culture.  

We have to recognize the spiritual underpinnings of the cultural challenges we face.  We have to call the taking of life as evil, as the Bible does - and that includes the unborn.  Even if you adopt the inferior position that a fetus is a "potential life," you still have to reckon with the fact you are supporting a pre-emptive strike against that "blob of tissue's" right to live.  But, the humanity of the unborn child in the womb has been overshadowed by the concept of so-called "reproductive rights," i.e., the government shouldn't tell a woman what to do with her own body.  But, what about the body of the unborn child whom she is carrying?  This is a concept that is rooted in evil, in a godless viewpoint that ignores the sanctity of life. 

People like Tucker and Elon, Russell and Jordan, and others are talking about concepts of good and evil.  With the possible exception of Russell Brand, they are not sharing a gospel message; they don't speak about salvation through Christ all that much - not evangelical, in my understanding.  But, they are introducing important viewpoints on our world today, and they have become important allies in the mission of the Church in being salt and light.

Evil is real - but greater is He who is in us that He who is in the world.  So, as Carlson says, God "wins."  God wins!  There are spiritual forces that are aligned with Almighty God and there are forces operating in this world today who are aligned with the devil and are attempting to bring down the work of God. Many may not have seen supernatural manifestations to the level that Carlson claims - but some have.  But, we cannot ignore the spiritual dynamics at work in our world, and armed with the truth of the Word, we can take the necessary, prayerful steps to resist him.

Remembering the Past

Next Monday, we will take some time to honor and remember those who have dedicated their lives in service to our country. We can consider what the Bible says about the notion of self-sacrifice and a Savior who gave it all for us. Philippians 2 states:
1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Even though the data is over five years old, I think it can still illustrate for us the rich heritage of faith in the U.S. military.  A First Liberty article stated at the time: "According to a...study conducted by the Congressional Research Service, approximately 73% of all military service members identify as people of faith, compared to less than 3% percent who are atheist or agnostic. Religious diversity in the military is broadly representative of the U.S. population, with nearly 70% of active duty military personnel who consider themselves to be Christian."

The article added that:

Similarly, faith is also overwhelmingly present among veterans. According to an internal report conducted in 2015 by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, over 18 million of nearly 20 million veterans in America (more than 90%) identify as being religious, with less than 6% reporting that they do not belong to a particular faith group or they don’t know their religious affiliation.

The Christian legal organization noted:

In all, faith is in the DNA of America’s military, and it is it imperative that we continue to protect our service members’ and our veterans’ constitutional rights, especially their freedom to live according to their religious beliefs.

Faith has played a central role since our nation’s inception, back to the founding era when George Washington led the Continental Army in the fight for independence. Today, over 70% of the men and women who serve in uniform continue to draw strength, courage and inspiration from their faith as they fight for the rights and freedoms that we cherish so dearly.

But, as a more recent article on First Liberty's website states, there are monuments that can remind us of our rich freedoms and there have been attempts to remove some of those monuments because of the faith element.  The article says:

The 40-foot Bladensburg Peace Cross in Maryland commemorates 49 brave soldiers of Prince George’s County who lost their lives in World War I. But since it’s a religious symbol on public land, intolerant enemies of faith insisted it be taken down. One judge even suggested having the horizontal arms of the cross sawed off so it would no longer represent the Christian faith.

Thanks to First Liberty’s victory at the Supreme Court in 2019, this beloved monument’s historical significance was officially recognized, and the Court ruled it must be allowed to remain exactly where it stands.

For our work defending the Bladensburg Peace Cross at the Supreme Court, along with other cases including the Mojave Desert Memorial Cross and the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial, the American Legion bestowed on First Liberty its prestigious Distinguished Service Medal.

First Liberty Senior Counsel Danielle Runyan stated: “The history of our nation is not simply relegated to history books but can be found all around us in monuments, displays, and memorials capturing important events that symbolize, honor, and celebrate the fabric of our American heritage. Without these visual reminders, our ability to meaningfully understand and appreciate historical events and important moments since our nation’s founding would be lost and our patriotism diminished.”

I believe that the principles of the Christian faith and the heritage of our nation are intertwined. And, our military has been established and dispatched to defend the rights given to our citizens by Almighty God; rights that were identified in the Declaration of Independence and in the Constitution. In an age in which we see our freedoms of speech and religion under siege, we can continue to practice those freedoms and freely share the truth of God's Word.

There is a connection in mindset regarding our military. Those who serve understand the power of self-sacrifice on behalf of others, a principle that Jesus stated when He said in John 15, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."  And, we can also remember those who contribute to keeping the flame of faith alive in our military - our chaplains, including our Christian chaplains who are devoted to teaching and sharing the presence and principles of God to people who are devoted to service.