The Long Game

God is touching hearts and changing lives in various parts of the world, and we recognize that as His people are obedient to share what He has done and communicate the gospel, the Word will go forth and salvation will flow. 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."

He is the One who saves, the One who heals the broken heart. Jesus brings restoration and redemption and that passage brings insight into who He is. 

In the Amazon rain forest of northwestern Brazil, the Spirit of God is moving.  A CBN.com story relates:

The Amazon River here in the northern part of Brazil is filled with hundreds of these small tributaries that in essence snake through the jungle, and over the many years evangelical Christians have been traversing these waters in an attempt to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the Amazonian people.

The rain forest covers 6 million square miles in South America, with a population of some 30 million people.

Josué Bengtson is a local pastor who, according to the article, "has spent decades traversing the river's intricate network, first as a missionary then as a pastor spreading the evangelical message of salvation."
He is quoted as saying: "Back when we started evangelizing in this region, we had just a few workers and, in some municipalities, pastors had to walk 10 to 15 km to open a congregation," adding, "Today, almost all medium-sized churches in the Amazon have a small boat."

Thousands of churches have been established in the area, and the pastor relates that "In the first six months of this year we baptized 14,500 people. Our goal for this year is to baptize over 30,000 people..."

CBN also highlighted the work of Esequiel Santo, who stated, "I was 15 years old when God called me to reach the unreached peoples of the Amazon..." The article says:

Santo spent 32 years as a missionary in the jungle's interior.

"One of the biggest challenges was the isolation and getting used to living among the indigenous or riverside communities," Santo said. "But God was with us in the work, we saw lives being transformed, so many people heard the gospel and now we are seeing the fruits."

The article goes on to say:

José Eustaquio Alves, a leading Brazilian sociologist, says evangelical churches here benefit from long term pastors or missionaries like Santo who foster deep community ties and growth.

He says: "I think that the revival that we have been waiting for here in Brazil is happening in the Amazon..."

CBN concludes the article by saying:

Evangelical Christians often must rely on small canoes or medium-sized boats to hold church services and other ministry activities as they reach remote regions.

Meanwhile, church teams from Brazil's major cities send volunteers here to conduct educational, humanitarian, and medical missions.

This outreach often helps introduce people to the gospel message.

These pastors, missionaries and many others laboring in this vast expanse believe the shift is more than just a change in religious practice – it's a movement that promises to redefine the region's spiritual and social landscape for generations to come.

So, in the midst of the trees, in the forest, God is growing lives devoted to Christ. And, He is reaping His harvest, with thousands coming to the Lord and being baptized, an outward expression of the inner work of the Spirit.  We can be reminded that God is not bound by time, space, or location - He will provide the means for His Word to go forth.

We can also reflect on the importance of planting seeds.  Apparently, this move of God is something that Christians in the Amazon region have been praying and trusting God for.  Now, the seeds have grown into a bountiful harvest.  They didn't give up - those called to share the gospel have continued to be faithful, to wait on God.  That's a great lesson for all of us; we may not see the end result, but we recognize that, as it's been said, the results are up to God - in His time, according to His plan. We are called to be faithful servants who are devoted to doing His will.

Doesn't Have to be Distasteful

Because of the presence of Christ within us, we can walk in a way that is distinct from the world. We are not of this world, but Jesus has placed us within this world in order to shine His light, to be a strong witness for Him. We can read these words of exhortation in 1st John chapter 2:
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.
17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

The Movieguide website has spotlighted comedian Nate Bargatze recently, not only to announce his starring role in a commercial that was shown during the Super Bowl, but also to highlight the influence that another Christian comic had on his life. The article states:

Nate Bargatze is grateful to God for putting a fellow Christian comedian in his life early on in his career.

“God [is] watching me all the time — the fact that He put me with you,” Bargatze said during an episode of Anjelah Johnson-Reyes’s FUNJELAH podcast. “Because, imagine if — I could have went out with so many other comics that do not have God in their life and are just dudes that are going to be dumb and whatever. That could have been — we were together so long, that could have spiraled me into a whole other realm, but He put me with you, someone that was like-minded with me.”

He added, “You’ve openly always talked about your faith, and so that was just nice for me to see.”

The article went on to say:

In a 2019 interview with Relevant Magazine, he said that when he started working as a comedian in Chicago, it was “the first time that I ever met people that either weren’t religious or didn’t believe in God.”

“A lot of people that I was around weren’t Christians and didn’t grow up in the church or anything,” Bargatze continued. “Sometimes guys can go away from that, but it just made me get more into it, because I just thought, ‘Why do you think you’re right?’ I’ve always said I trust my parents more than I trust anybody else I ever met.”

The Movieguide piece also referenced a Fox News interview, in which he said: “It’s how I grew up. I grew up that way. I come from a Christian family and Southern Christian, so I wasn’t allowed to watch anything, which I talk about in the special. And so growing up and only watching clean comedians, it was just how I was going to be. And it would feel forced if I was not.”  That Fox article, from 2023, also related these words:

Nate Bargatze recently celebrated his 20th year as a successful clean Christian comedian.

The 43-year-old comic, who has been dubbed the "nicest man in stand-up" debuted his Amazon Prime Video special "Hello World" last month after rising to fame with two hit Netflix specials, 2019's "The Tennessee Kid" and 2021's Grammy Award-nominated "The Great Average American."

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Bargatze explained that he chose a career in clean comedy — a family-friendly genre that is free of swearing, crude material or sexual references — largely because he felt that he couldn't tell dirty jokes in front of his parents.

"I think I still feel I will get in trouble," the Nashville native admitted.

And, beyond that, of course, the Savior Nate Bargatze serves will be watching. Yet, there are entertainment performers and writers who do not know God or do not respect or reverence Him. For years, the entertainment industry was dominated by films without language or sexual content. Now, it seems par for the course - with gratuitous sexual innuendo, inappropriate humor, and objectionable language that doesn't have to be there.  But, it's a reflection of the world we live in and of hose who are so steeped in the ways of this world that those are the values that they have adopted - unfortunately, families in general and Christian families in particular are finding their entertainment options more limited. 

Just this week, Movieguide released findings of a survey that shows that, as a summary said: "A new annual study of the top movies released in the United States and Canada shows that American moviegoers reject movies with scenes of explicit sex and sexual nudity in them."  The summary says: 

...only two of the Top 25 Movies at the Box Office in the United States and Canada in 2024, or 8%, had any strong, depicted or explicit sexual content, and all of the Top 25 had no depicted or explicit sexual nudity whatsoever!

Similar results were found with the Top 25 Movies at the Overseas Box Office in 2024. Only 12% had any strong, depicted or explicit sexual content, and all of the Top 25 Movies Overseas had no depicted or explicit sexual nudity.

Movies with no sexual content yielded a take of 3.8 billion in the 2024 box office.  That's just under half of the total box office dollars.  But, Hollywood continues to turn out products that are offensive to family viewers, at the expense of profitability.

Because, well, the ways of this world are so ingrained - you might say that's who these people are.  Nate Bargatze has become a popular comedian, even though he's a professing Christian and offers countercultural material.  Entertainment doesn't have to be distasteful.  But, sinners are going to sin, right?!

And, that's what comes down to you and me.  The Bible has declared that we are no longer sinners, but were are saints in the Lord.  So, if we believe what Scripture says about our identity, we should act accordingly.   We must reject worldliness when we are being tempted, when worldly ideas invade our consciousness, and replace the desires of the world with the direction of God's Word.

Caring, Limits, and the Law

We are called to be people of compassion, and we are equipped with the love of Christ and the ability to hear from God in order to do what is right, to accomplish His will. Deuteronomy 10 states:
17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.
18 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.
19 And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.

There are three verses there: we see that God is a God of absolute law: not showing partiality and accepting no bribes. But, the Bible tells us to love the "foreigners," reminding His people they were foreigners in Egypt.  Yes, foreigners who were originally invited in by a high-ranking official who was their own offspring, Joseph. 

With recent revelations by the Department of Government Efficiency that Christian ministries were not only accepting donor funds, but also accepting federal funding for the purpose of resettling refugees, it is a reminder that there is legal immigration, with legal channels that people should ideally leverage in order to come to the U.S. from other countries.  Unfortunately, with an open border, illegal immigration has become an increasing problem, with a variety of harmful elements mixed in with the flow of traffic at our border, including human trafficking and those who mean to do America harm.  There is concern, and that is why immigration was a leading issue in the 2024 Presidential election. 

A few years ago, with the influence of left-leaning organizations and the financing of George Soros, who supports open borders - unfettered immigration - a group called the Evangelical Immigration Table was formed, consisting of a variety of "Christian" organizations.  The Table is still set, if you will, to promote this open borders philosophy and just used a Christian research firm to promote its own counterproductive agenda.  Baptist Press states that a recent poll was "The study was sponsored by the Evangelical Immigration Table, World Relief, National Latino Evangelical Coalition, and the National Association of Evangelicals."  In addition to the Table, I am familiar with World Relief, which is one of those organizations taking taxpayer funds for the purpose of refugee resettlement.  The National Association of Evangelicals has become quite the progressive organization.  And, I don't know who the National Latino Evangelical Coalition is - I am more inclined to support the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, led by Samuel Rodriguez.  Clearly, the study sponsors have an agenda to push, and I am sure are more than delighted with the numbers that have emerged.

And, please don't interpret this to mean that I don't support people who are facing oppression in other countries coming into the U.S. The survey tends to agree, saying: "...most evangelicals voice support for refugees. Seven in 10 (70 percent) say the U.S. has a moral responsibility to accept refugees, including 34 percent who strongly agree. Around a quarter (23 percent) disagree. That number is statistically unchanged from a January 2024 Lifeway Research study."

Regarding deportation of immigrants, the survey summary at Baptist Press states that the majority of evangelicals...

...want deportations to focus on individuals who have been convicted of violent crimes (67 percent) or those reasonably suspected of presenting a threat to national security (63 percent). Fewer believe enforcement should prioritize those who are unwilling or unable to pay a monetary fine as restitution for violating the law (30 percent) or those who entered the country in the last five years (25 percent).

The summary also includes these data points:

Thinking about moral responsibilities, about 2 in 3 evangelicals (64 percent) believe Christians have a responsibility to sacrificially care for refugees and other foreigners. Asked specifically about refugees and others who are forcibly displaced in other countries, beyond the United States, 73 percent said Christians have a responsibility to care. Most (55 percent) also say Christians have a responsibility to assist immigrants even if they are here illegally.

But, believers must think of the long-term implications of this issue.  We have been conditioned to virtue-signal by those who claim that, well, Jesus was a refugee.  At the Center for Baptist Leadership website, Alex Kocman writes:

Settings aside the dubious claim that Jesus violated the civil law of his day as a temporary asylum-seeker in Egypt, and refraining from delineating what constitutes a “gospel issue” these days—though it seems that everything from Taylor Swift and plastic straws to Oxford commas all qualifies as of late—what remains is precisely what we have come to anticipate from a particular faction of progressive-adjacent evangelical leaders.

He chides progressive evangelicals for "conflating spiritual ideals with earthly politics, using Scripture’s promises concerning the eternal state of the Kingdom of God to subvert (in a manner that is often counter-biblical) the right exercise of prudence in the civil sphere today."

There was a question on the Lifeway survey about what is known as "family separation."  The Baptist Press article notes:

Evangelicals are more split over reintroducing a “zero tolerance” policy along the U.S.-Mexico border that led to the separation of children from parents. The policy was terminated by the first Trump administration in June 2018. Currently, 45 percent of evangelicals would support reintroducing the policy, while 43 percent oppose such a move and 12 percent are not sure.

The Washington Post, in an article quoting "border czar" Tom Homan, stated:

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will look to hold parents with children in “soft-sided” tent structures similar to those used by U.S. border officials to handle immigration surges, Homan said. The government will not hesitate to deport parents who are in the country illegally, even if they have young U.S.-born children, he added, leaving it to those families to decide whether to exit together or be split up.

“Here’s the issue,” Homan said in a wide-ranging interview that included some of his most extensive comments to date on Trump’s plans for mass deportations. “You knew you were in the country illegally and chose to have a child. So you put your family in that position.”

So, a "straw man" argument has been exposed.

We have to make sure that we are people who not only exercise compassion but who have a healthy respect for the laws of our land and the role of government.  I'm not saying that the numbers are skewed, but when you have an agenda-driven consortium sponsoring a survey, they certainly will use those numbers to show how they want the public to think evangelicals stand on the immigration issue. 

Writing for the Standing for Freedom Center at Liberty University, Virgil Walker says:

It’s clear that while politicians may often use the complexities of immigration policy to position themselves as bearers of solutions, the Christian perspective calls for a biblical approach. It is incumbent upon believers to sift through political rhetoric and align with those genuinely striving for reform that reflects both moral integrity and respect for human dignity. As believers who value justice and mercy, it is our responsibility to recognize that policies have tangible effects on individuals and families, especially those in the United States who bear the heavy burden of mass immigration.

Moreover, as we acknowledge that illegal immigration is a violation of the law, we must not lose sight of the humanity inherent in others. They are individuals — men, women, and children — who possess an intrinsic value and worth bestowed upon them by God. This necessitates a form of response from both the government and its citizens that safeguards the rights of all, upholds the rule of law, and embodies compassion and grace.

Walker notes that at the Tower of Babel, "This divine intervention by God was intended to foster separation among people and establish distinct boundaries for their dwelling places. By delving into these Scriptures, we gain valuable insights into the significance of borders." He also writes: "Alongside boundaries, God instituted governing authorities to safeguard people from wrongdoing and evil. These authorities serve as a protective shield, ensuring the well-being and security of the people."

So, borders are found throughout Scripture, and God's purpose can be found in keeping peoples separate.  Sound immigration policy has to recognize that immigrants in this country illegally are breaking the law, but perhaps should be offered an option that includes restitution and/or the ability to enter the U.S. the right way.  Because it's become so politicized, solutions are not necessarily clear.  It is unfair for illegal immigrants to be supported by services provided by taxpayers or even the Church, although Christian organizations can play a part in showing compassionate care for those who are in the process of making things right. We have to be clear-headed and depend on Godly wisdom.

Room for Christians

It is always beneficial to know what we believe and then to act in accordance with those beliefs. If we say we are Christians, or Christ-followers, then we have a dependable source of truth that we can rely on and that empowers us to walk in God's ways. 2nd Timothy 3 relates:
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Earlier this month, The Christian Post reported:

A Virginia school district has reinstated a substitute teacher after initially removing her upon discovering her Christian views on gender ideology.

The teacher, identified by The Daily Signal as Lindsay Rich, was restored this week after an intervention by the Liberty Counsel, a nonprofit Christian legal group.

School officials escorted the teacher from an assignment in September 2024 only two hours after she arrived, and the school board met in a closed session that day to take her off the list, the Liberty Counsel said.

The article went on to say that Rich "...said her religious views informed her belief that God created humans as male and female, and opposed male students being allowed to enter facilities reserved for female students." She also said that she was "...absolutely shocked when the school board violated its own policy by taking action in closed session to strike my name from the personnel list before coming out in open session to vote..."

Liberty Counsel sent a letter that referenced the First Amendment, Title VII, the Virginia Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the Virginia Values Act," noting that based on an interpretation by the state's Supreme Court:

… [the teacher] has the right in her capacity as a citizen to freely speak and write regarding her religious views and political views as they are informed by her faith — and neither she nor any other teacher of [the school district] may be penalized for speech expressed in a private capacity — whether that speech takes place pre-employment, or during employment but in a private capacity...

After receiving the letter, the school backed down. 

As the afore-mentioned Daily Signal article noted regarding Lindsey Rich: "Last November, she lost the Montgomery County School Board race to represent District E by a narrow margin. Derek Rountree, her former opponent, now sits on the school board."  The article said that an "official" at Virginia Tech...

...attacked her and a fellow school board candidate for supporting “Model Policies on Ensuring Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students” championed by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin...

The article related: 

These policies require parental involvement in any school encouragement of a child’s transgender identity and designate bathrooms, locker rooms, and sports teams by biological sex rather than claimed gender identity.

It noted that the board "...previously adopted pro-transgender standards developed under Youngkin’s...predecessor, Gov. Ralph Northam."

Rich shared with The Daily Signal: “I won’t be pushed out of my children’s schools; they say there is room for ALL in MCPS, which includes conservative Christians like me.”

This is yet another case of a Christian standing on his or her beliefs that has faced opposition and the attempt to silence that person.  We have seen this trend time and again, and we must continue to stand and say, "enough."  Christians should not be treated as second-class citizens and recipients of a double standard when we attempt to participate in our communities. 

We can be determined not to be intimidated into silence but inspired to stand.  For truth. For righteousness. For the presence of God to be transmitted through us for the good of those around us. Because the Bible has solid answers for the challenges we face; and we are empowered to the mouthpieces of that truth.  We should have a place at the table - now, we can ask ourselves, do we, as the Church, have those numbered among us who are willing to be involved?   

More Babies

We recognize that God has a certain created order, the One who has made, as Paul said, "the world and everything in it." We are the "in it" part and God has put us in a special place to steward His creation, to exemplify His glory, and to, as Genesis 1 says, populate it. We can read these words:
26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

In God's grand and glorious design, we have a purpose.  And, for those who marry and produce offspring, that is part of that design - the perpetuation of God's plan.  

But, there is a concerning trend that we are seeing today - quite frankly, the human race is not producing children at a rate that will enable us to replace the current population.  As John Stonestreet and Shane Morris put it in a recent Breakpoint commentary: "According to new numbers from the Centers for Disease Control, America’s total fertility is at an all-time low, despite short-lived hopes of a post-pandemic bounce back. At just 1.62 births on average per woman, this means that more people are now dying each year than are being born."

They write: "Once upon a time, married couples having children was the norm, an expected stage in life most people shared. Now, it is often treated as an exception—an individualistic consumer choice undertaken only by those with independent means and lots of free time."

But, they point out: "Yet one group of Americans has resisted this trend toward sub-replacement fertility and keeps stubbornly having kids. Writing at The Institute for Family Studies, sociologist Lyman Stone explains that total fertility among Americans who attend religious services weekly has never dropped below replacement for long, and actually increased in recent years."  They add:

It turns out that active participation in church or another faith community is strongly correlated with the decision to have more children than secular neighbors have. And when people drift away from weekly worship, they also become less likely to trouble themselves with tots.

At the Regent University website, Lynne Marie Kohm states: "...incentives are altered without the influence of a Christian worldview. Dual-income couples with no kids — or DINKs — are interested in financial stability, flexibility, and building wealth, rather than building a family. Millennials also present a paradox. While they are not in a rush to marry, most unmarried Millennials say they would like to marry. Among unmarried individuals, one child, generally, is the norm for those who choose to parent — again bringing down the TFR."  That stands for Total Fertility Rate.

She poses these questions: "What should the Christian response be to population demise? Christians in the United States have more children on average than religiously unaffiliated people, as research reveals that Christian women have a TFR of 1.9 versus 1.6 for women that do not claim faith in Christ. But what does this really mean for someone with a Christian worldview? Is there still a mandate to Christians to be fruitful and replenish the earth?"

She notes:

So, should a Christian family have more children because the TFR in American is too low? The quick answer is “No.” A Christian family should not have more children simply for the sake of raising America’s TFR or just to have more children. Instead, Christians should have more children if they can do so responsibly to honor God and raise those children to love and serve Him for generations to come.

Kohm adds: "Fertility rates can rise to healthy levels by transferring faith values intentionally to the next generation. A few more Christian families having two children, rather than one — or three children, rather than two — and raising them with a solid Christian worldview, can make a tremendous difference. That difference could happen through adoption, as well — becoming a family for a child who needs one."

We are seeing a trend toward something called "pronatalism."  Even Vice President Vance, at the recent March for Life, said that we need more babies. I would submit that a devotion to what has been called a "culture of life" is a solution, which has its roots in Scripture.  When we are aborting millions of babies around the world, that cannot have a positive impact on our overall population. 

I saw a piece at The Washington Post recently that profiled Malcolm and Simone Collins, who have four kids and want more - many more.  The article said: 

The Collinses have fashioned themselves into enthusiastic — and controversial — avatars for a new pronatalist movement.

Their brand of pronatalism embraces technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and even genetic selection. (They’ve used both for all of their children.) They don’t glorify “traditional” gender roles, nor do they think immigration, pro-family policies or cash will reverse a dwindling population.

Their hypothesis: that encouraging people to have more children will require nothing less than a massive cultural shift. And they are determined to help lead it.

At the time of the article, they had 32 frozen embryos waiting to be implanted.  That leads to another moral question that even our lawmakers in Montgomery should be grasping, in light of the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that embryos produced in IVF are living beings: what happens to embryos that are not used?  Destroying these embryos is destroying life - that is a huge problem.  There have been no laws passed in Alabama that determine what happens to discarded embryos.  

And, another question has arisen just within the last few days.  A conservative influencer claims to have borne the now-13th child of Elon Musk.  Ashley St. Clair, who is apparently popular in Christian circles, went public with this announcement after apparent harassment from a reporter who was looking into the situation. Some in the Christian and conservative community cheered her new baby, but others decried the circumstances of the pregnancy.  And, I agree, we should always be pro-life, but we should also exhibit concern about out-of-wedlock births - the fatherless crisis was also rightly a topic of discussion.  Unfortunately, in entertainment culture especially, we see a cavalier attitude toward unmarried couples producing children.  St. Clair has made pronatalist comments in the past; Musk has produced 13 children, most of them outside the bounds of marriage.  Could this have been, as some of the language suggests, some sort of intentional "arrangement?"  God loves life, as we should, but we also need to talk about moral responsibility.  

As Christian and conservative influencer Allie Beth Stuckey noted on X:

For example, I caught a lot of heat when I did not congratulate a conservative gay couple who announced their two babies via surrogacy. I would make the same choice today for the same reasons. Yes, babies are ALWAYS a blessing, no matter what. But I am genuinely heartbroken by the purposeful creation of motherless or fatherless children and it feels weird publicly applauding that. 

And, when I think about the current drama on X, that’s a big part of why the congratulations feel weird, especially in light of the sad tone of her announcement. This was, as far as I understand, the purposeful creation of a fatherless child. I have a lot of compassion for the mom and baby, but I am very saddened for the child in the middle of this conflict. I understand those who say it’s always right to congratulate the birth of a baby, and I don’t doubt their sincerity in that position. It just didn’t feel like the right response to yesterday’s announcement.

But, we recognize that children are gifts from God.  As Lynne Marie Kohm writes:

Christian couples understand that, when their love for each other is manifested in a child, it is a miracle from God. The blessing of children can never be overstated, and yes, it does fulfill the Genesis 1:28 mandate, as God leads for each particular family. This is amazing love. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17)."

Stonestreet and Morris state: "It also means the faithful themselves are better positioned to inherit that future in many parts of the world. Children must, of course, grow up to retain and own their parents’ faith. They must be 'born again.' But it’s fair to say being born in the first place is an important prerequisite—one that, for the most part, only believers are still achieving."

Free!

I am so thankful that we live in a country that has been established on the principles of freedom of speech and freedom of religion. One survey even said that freedom of speech was a leading issue in the 2024 election. And, because we have been empowered and directed as Christians to speak God's truth, these freedoms we enjoy as Americans pave the way to do that. 2nd Timothy chapter 2 says:
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 have seen a trend in America over the past few years in which Christians (and others) are accused of spreading misinformation.  And, when the dominant culture has found fault with what Christians believe and desire to silence them, it can be frustrating and intimidating.  But, we be determined to be bold to keep speaking for the Lord - or allowing the Lord to speak through us. 

Rhoda Jatau is a woman who lives in Nigeria. She was concerned about an act of persecution that she saw and spoke out about it.  The Alabama Baptist stated:

Jatau was arrested in May 2022 and was not granted bail until December 2023. She was accused of sharing a video on WhatsApp that condemned the May 2022 killing of college student Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu. Muslim classmates in Sokoto killed Yakubu for telling people about Jesus Christ. They then burned her body.

Angry Muslims not only said Jatau was responsible for the condemning video being shared, but they also attacked Evangelical Church Winning All in Warji while Jatau was worshipping there, the news outlets state.

Those news outlets are Christian Daily International and Morning Star News.

Just for sharing the video, she faced charges, according to The Alabama Baptist, which "included public disturbance and religious insult."  She could have faced five years in prison.

But, good news came recently: Rhoda has been acquitted!  That's according to Alliance Defending Freedom International.  She had already spent 19 months in jail, but now she is free.  ADF International's website includes a quote from legal counsel Sean Nelson, who said: 

“No person should be punished for peaceful expression, and we are grateful that Rhoda Jatau has been fully acquitted. But Rhoda should never have been arrested in the first place. We will continue to seek justice for Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria who are unjustly imprisoned and plagued by the draconian blasphemy laws.”  

Certainly this story provides a cause for rejoicing - when our fellow believers are unjustly persecuted and they receive justice, we can give glory to God for His faithfulness.   We can also be very glad that God has placed advocates who stand with persecuted Christians - from organizations such as Voice of the Martyrs, Global Christian Relief, Open Doors, and others, to legal groups such as ADF International, there are those who are speaking boldly on behalf of believers.

We can also be reminded to pray for the persecuted Church.  Rhoda Jatau faced opposition individually and her church was attacked.  Nigeria, which as The Alabama Baptist pointed out, is #7 on the World Watch List of leading persecutors of Christians.  There are laws on the books in some countries that are especially hostile toward Christians, accusing them of blasphemy for sharing their faith perspective.  We can stand for justice and for freedom of religion.  And, on this Presidents Day, we can pray for our President, that he will be bold to advocate for the persecuted.  We can also reflect on the contributions of American Presidents throughout the years who have championed the cause of freedom, including the freedom to practice their faith without hindrance.

Above Your Own

Valentine's Day has become a popular holiday where the concept of loving others is actually at the root. And, amidst all the candy and flowers, there is a deep truth - if we are to walk in love, and especially in the love of God, we have to take our eyes off ourselves. John 15 reminds us:
12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

There was a piece I came across on the Chattanooga Times-Free Press website from Lauren Hall of the organization based in that area called, First Things First.  In tracing the history of what we now know as Valentine's Day, she wrote:

There were at least two martyred saints named Valentine in the early Christian church, and their stories are a bit murky.

One story claims St. Valentine was a priest who performed secret marriages for young lovers in defiance of an emperor's ban on matrimony for soldiers. The most popular tale claims he was imprisoned for helping Christians escape persecution and fell in love with his jailer's daughter, sending her a note signed, "From your Valentine." While the truth may never be fully untangled, the romantic undertones of these stories cemented Valentine's Day as a celebration of love.

She went on to write:

At its core, Valentine's Day is about pausing to express love and gratitude to those who matter most. Whether it's your spouse, kids or even your closest friends, this day invites us to step away from the busyness of life and focus on our relationships. It's less about the commercialized fanfare and more about the heartfelt connections that make life richer.

A CBN.com article includes quotes from Father Frank O'Gara of the Whitefriars Street Church in Dublin, Ireland.  He offers a take on the Valentine's story that indeed St. Valentine did defy the emperor's ban on marriage, and that he had prayed for the jailer's blind daughter to be healed.  

O'Gara states:

"If Valentine were here today, he would say to married couples that there comes a time where you're going to have to suffer. It's not going to be easy to maintain your commitment and your vows in marriage. Don't be surprised if the 'gushing' love that you have for someone changes to something less "gushing" but maybe much more mature. And the question is, is that young person ready for that?"

"So on the day of the marriage they have to take that into context," Father O'Gara says. "Love—human love and sexuality is wonderful, and blessed by God—but also the shadow of the cross. That's what Valentine means to me."

Being unselfish is a key to walking in love that is consistent with what we find outlined in Scripture - and it starts in the human heart.  The Bible Project website notes, regarding Adam and Eve:

Adam and Eve "complete" one another not by satisfying each other’s personal desires but by becoming unbreakable partners who seek the other's well-being. Today’s popular understanding of romance rarely gets past the "satisfy my desires" sense of love. But the authors of Genesis describe this “unbreakable partners” sense of love as a foundation for human flourishing and tov—the goodness and right-functioning of creation itself.

That article goes on to say:

Maybe love can start with feelings of attraction and desire, and maybe those initial feelings can expand and deepen when we are putting the other person’s well-being above our own while they are simultaneously doing the same for us. Can you imagine someone seeing you, in all of your ordinariness and quirkiness and imperfection, and staying committed to you no matter what? And not just staying but caring, forgiving, blessing, and loving without end, all while you’re doing the same in return?

In all our relationships, romantic and otherwise, may we look to Jesus and his ultimate example of what it means to love another person. What wondrous love is this? “To lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).

So, amidst all this talk of love and romance that circulates around Valentine's Day, we can think of those enduring qualities that can contribute to rewarding relationships involving not only couples, but general human interaction.  It's symbolized by the cross itself - the fact that God's only Son laid down His life, as an act of supreme love, so that we might benefit by having our sins wiped away and so that we might be saved.

In the flesh, we can become so self-centered; and the vying for selfish gratification can put us at odds with the people around us. Our call as Christians is to demonstrate the selfless love of Christ so that we can be cognizant of the needs of others and become more sensitive to how we can speak and act toward them in a way that shows them our Savior.  

Satisfied

It's important to take stock of our lives to determine how devoted to God we are in our inner life, in our relationship with Him? If we're not satisfied, then we can look to the Scriptures and draw near to God in order to experience His peace. The Bible says in Psalm 107:
8 Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.

Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount in chapter 5 of the book of Matthew:
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

Just five years ago, according to the Gallup organization, almost two-thirds of Americans indicated they were "very satisfied" in their personal lives.  Just a few weeks ago, a survey was released by Gallup that showed the number was down to 44%.  That's a record low after a peak in 2020.

This is from the Mood of the Nation poll, and examines external factors and their effects on internal satisfaction. Historically, it appears that satisfaction, or lack thereof, is tied to economic factors. 

Among those attending religious services weekly, just over half - 55% - say they are "very satisfied" with their personal life - but that is down from three-out-of-four just five years ago.  Granted, above the national average, but still over a 20-point drop from 2020.  Pre-pandemic.  A time of economic optimism, according to Gallup.

The report on the Gallup survey goes on to say:

Although the percentage of Americans who are generally very satisfied with their personal life is at its lowest point, the combined share who are very or somewhat satisfied, 81%, is not the low point. Rather, the record low for the combined measure was 73% in July 1979 during the energy crisis.

In recent years, personal satisfaction levels have varied between 78% and 85%, putting the current measure near the middle but down significantly from the 90% high in January 2020.

But the levels of personal satisfaction in the 2025 contrast with the overall appraisal of how things are going in the nation - 50% of Americans said they were very dissatisfied with the country, with 27% indicating they were somewhat dissatisfied.

So, to do a side-by-side comparison: 81% of Americans are very or somewhat satisfied with their personal lives; only 20% are very or somewhat satisfied with the country as a whole. The big takeaway, according to Gallup:

Personal satisfaction continues to far outpace Americans’ satisfaction with the U.S. This dichotomy -- whereby Americans rate their own situation better than the nation’s -- is commonly seen in polling on a number of subjects, including crime, healthcare, education and the economy/personal finance.

For the believer in Christ, we have to examine what brings satisfaction in our lives.  And, I think this can show us something important about happiness, which has been described as being dependent on external circumstances, and joy, which is independent of externals and flows from our relationship with God.  Because, the fact is, for the Christian, ideally, our level of peace and joy should come from the presence of the Lord, our adherence to His principles, and the fulfillment of His promises.  

While economic conditions can certainly contribute to our satisfaction level, we can be steadfast in the Lord even when there is economic uncertainty.  The numbers in our bank account do not have to be determinants of our level of spiritual satisfaction.  Who is sitting in the White House or in Congress or our state Legislature can contribute to the direction of our government, but our security is ultimately in the One who inhabits the throne in Heaven, to whom political leaders will give an account. 

We can be careful to seek the Lord and experience His satisfaction.  When we are abiding in Christ, we can appreciate His faithfulness and fruitfulness, which results in an abiding joy, and peace in all circumstances.

Ordered

We are called to be people of charity; as Jesus taught, we are to love God with the entirety of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Then, we are to love our neighbor. But, does that concept of "neighbor" mean everyone equally? Or is there an order? For instance, 1st Timothy 5 has been used in a current debate; that verse says:
8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Jamie Bambrick, who is a pastor in the U.K. and the Editor-in-Chief of Clear Truth Media, notes that Scripture in his analysis of a concept that has been discussed recently concerning the immigration issue. He also references Galatians chapter 6 in his analysis on X. It says:
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Bambrick is referring to this concept:

It's called the ordo amoris and it's a well-known concept, taught in the Bible, where you are to care for your own family before other families, the household of God before the wider world, and yes, your own nation before others.

Bambrick, by the way, is the man who has produced versions of the controversial and misguided "He Gets Us" commercials to better reflect the teachings of Scripture.  And, probably at a fraction of the cost! 

So, why are we even talking about this concept?  Because it's a concept that the Vice President of the United States, J.D. Vance, used in discussing the immigration issues and America's obligation, or lack of it, to those who are in the country illegally.  

James Orr notes at First Things:

The provocation began when JD Vance offered to a Fox News interviewer the seemingly inoffensive observation that charity begins at home. It was, he noted in passing, “an old-school idea” and “a Christian concept.” He was correct on both counts.

He goes on to say:

When explicated in Augustine’s On Christian Teaching or in Aquinas’s Summa Theologiae, the ordo amoris emerges as a concept that is both cogent on its own terms—reciprocal obligations incurred through birth and upbringing are, after all, self-evidently stronger than those we freely undertake through choice or circumstance—and entirely consistent with the moral grammar of the scriptural witness. The idea that we must structure and not dissipate our finite and fragile stock of affections and loyalties does nothing to undermine Christianity’s revolutionary insistence on the inestimable worth of every human being, a claim that rooted human worth not in fallible human affections or human agency but in the perfect love of God for each of his creatures.

Orr references an exchange between a British member of Parliament and Vance on X.  Jack Prosobiec of Human Events had posted a portion of Vance's interview on Fox, quoting the Vice President as saying: "There is a Christian concept that you love your family and then you love your neighbor, and then you love your community, and then you love your fellow citizens, and then after that, prioritize the rest of the world," to which Prosobiec added, "A lot of the far left has completely inverted that."

The British MP, Rory Stewart replied by saying: "A bizarre take on John 15:12-13 - less Christian and more pagan tribal. We should start worrying when politicians become theologians, assume to speak for Jesus, and tell us in which order to love…"

Vance replied: 

Just google “ordo amoris.” Aside from that, the idea that there isn’t a hierarchy of obligations violates basic common sense. Does Rory really think his moral duties to his own children are the same as his duties to a stranger who lives thousands of miles away? Does anyone?

Abigail Dodds writes at American Reformer:

To Augustine, virtue was found in rightly ordered loves. And this encapsulates so much of what’s wrong with love in 21st-century America. We live in a time of dis-ordo amoris––many would rather virtue signal on social media, exercise charity by off-loading it to a governmental program delivering who-knows-what to who-knows-where, or love their neighbor with a theoretical love for anyone but their actual next-door neighbor.

This is where PJ O’Rourke’s pithy saying sums up disordered loves so well: “Everybody wants to save the world; nobody wants to help mom do the dishes.”

So, whether or not you agree with J.D. Vance, we are having a discussion about the Bible and a theological concept.  And, we are gaining insight into a culture that would rather virtue-signal publicly than perhaps live a well-grounded private life.  The priority of family cannot be underestimated - it's been pointed out that when the family suffers, when marriage suffers, our entire society is adversely affected.  That's why we have to fight to preserve the family.  So, out of our love and obedience to God, we hold those close to us closely. 

But, what about the stranger?  The Bible speaks of being charitable and embracing the poor - and we should always be looking for opportunities to show the love of Christ.  So, we are to be motivated by compassion.  David Brody of CBN emphasized the balance between showing compassion and upholding the rule of law in our conversation at the NRB Convention last year.  He wrote about it a while back, stating:

...the government has to enforce our immigration laws but that doesn’t mean we have to be bystanders who don’t care about the individual. We need to help in whatever way we can. Help improve their Central American communities by going into those communities with our Bibles and the message of Jesus Christ, support families in need financially, pray for these children, get involved and active in some way to help provide a better life for these children. That’s compassion.

I believe that there is a case to be made for this ordo amoris, or "ordered love," as it's been interpreted. We are called to love, but cannot humanly love all.  If our love for God is right, then He will direct us by His Spirit to demonstrate that love, but we have to remember the importance of our own homes whom God has given us to steward. 

Resistance

We certainly need way more purity displayed in our culture. In a porn-steeped society, Biblical values are the best values, and we can strive in all we do to exemplify Christ. 1st Thessalonians 4 states:
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;
4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,
5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God;
6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.
7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

It could have been a serious overture, but it appears to be a total setup by an overzealous content creator for the website, OnlyFans, which is regarded as a pornographic site. But, a restaurant cashier was devoted to glorifying God and, as the cliche says,  "caught on tape" doing that.  Here's the backstory, from The Western Journal:

A viral clip circulating on the internet earlier this month showed what appeared to be a young man resisting an OnlyFans content creator’s advances at work while citing his Christian faith.

The video, shared via X on Jan. 6 by a user claiming to be the young man in the clip, showed a Five Guys employee working the cash register when he is approached by a blond woman.

The article states: 

“I just wondered, I can’t see it on the menu, but where do I get the five guys from?” the OnlyFans pornography creator asked.

The young man was at first confused, yet as the remarks became more assertive and targeted at him specifically, he was flustered but nevertheless started to resist.

“I’m a Christian man, and I’m waiting ‘til marriage,” he replied.

The writer of the article, Ben Zeisloft, stated:

In a world where pornography and sexualization are increasingly ubiquitous, the response from this young fast food employee was not only deeply Christian, but deeply countercultural.

With the advent of smartphones and the breakdown of fatherhood, young men are exposed to online pornography at disturbing levels.

The writer went on to note that, according to a survey conducted by the Survey Center on American Life, around 75% of young men between 18-29 years of age and 88% of men 30 to 49 have viewed pornography at some time in their lives. 44% of those in the younger age group and 57 of the 30-49 group have viewed it just within the last month.

The moral of the story?  Zeisloft notes:

A man who controls his flesh in accordance with his submission to Jesus Christ, therefore, stands out in the best possible way, especially as most in his generation succumb to temptation.

The young man in the video indeed brings to mind the extensive warnings passed down from the author of the fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters of Proverbs to his son, cautioning him to stay far away from the adulterous woman, the deception she employs, and the spiritual and eternal death she causes by her waywardness.

There were kudos on X from those that approved of the young man's response.  One said: “Handled it really well! Praying that many more young men grow in steadfast faith in Christ! Stay strong and follow Christ!”

For each of us, man or woman, young or not-so-young, we can consider how we are going to handle temptation.  Because it will come.  It came to this young man, and when the pressure came, the Word of God controlled His response.  The analogy has been made that pressure will reveal what's inside - when we're tempted, will we do the right thing?  Being prepared in advance - perhaps not knowing the nature of the temptation, but having the Word of God in our hearts - will increase the likelihood that we will respond in a Christian way.

We also can know that the Holy Spirit is in us to empower what we say and do. We can seek each day to develop a greater reliance on Him.  If our desire is to glorify God, then we will dig deep down in our hearts and experience the power of the Word and the Spirit, enabling us to resist the overtures of the devil to take us down.

What To Pray

There is plenty of direction in Scripture that can serve to remind us about the importance of prayer, as well as what we should pray for. Romans 8 identifies that we will encounter times in which we don't know what to pray, but we can rely on God's faithful provision. It states:
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

And, there's this powerful passage from James 5:
16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

We can rely on God's direction in our prayers.  A recent CBN.com article related that the daughter of Anne Graham Lotz, who is heard on Living in the Light, Sunday evenings at 6:30, had a powerful experience with that.  The story relates:

She didn't know all the details, but the Lord led her to pray for an English-speaking man to come up to the Doyle brothers and pull them out of the dangerous area they were in. And God answered her prayer exactly as she had prayed it.

The Doyle brothers are Josh and Tommy Doyle - their parents are Tom and JoAnn Doyle of the ministry, Uncharted, who have been guests on The Meeting House program.  Josh hosts a podcast called, No Longer Nomads.  Rachel Ruth Lotz Wright was a guest recently.  As CBN shares:

...they recalled together a precise answer to one of her prayers and how it literally saved Doyle's life several years ago.

It took place when brothers Josh and Tommy Doyle were serving as missionaries in Turkey and got lost. They suddenly found themselves at great risk of being captured and killed by ISIS.

"As we go deeper into the market, we see more faces popping out that are ISIS fighters," Josh recalled. "At this point, I would say that we were starting to have a panic attack."

"No one spoke English, anywhere we went, asking for help from shopkeepers," he said. "We felt like we were truly in the lion's den."

The story goes on:

The Doyles put out an urgent request for prayer, and halfway around the world Rachel Ruth got the message and prayed specifically that God would send an English-speaking translator immediately to help the Doyle brothers escape to safety.

That's exactly what happened next.

Doyle explained, "All of a sudden, out of a sea of people, some guy comes directly up to us and speaks perfect English. And he goes, 'Are you guys lost?'"

The man then guided them to safety.

Rachel Ruth said: "This is crazy... just to show y'all who are listening how unbelievable the Holy Spirit is," adding, "All those years ago, I was a stay-at-home mom... and I get a text from Josh's mom, and she said 'pray because they're surrounded by ISIS.'"

It occurred to me that we may be called into dangerous places.  Danger may mean to go into or live in a part of the world that is hostile toward Christianity.  And, those who do so don't face these challenges alone - there is the prayer of believers, there are angelic companions, and most of all, there is the presence of the Holy Spirit who goes with believers who desire to follow Christ. 

But, danger might have a different meaning: we may be called to leave our comfort zone, essentially to stare down what we fear.  Because we live in a state of spiritual warfare, with forces aligned with the devil who want to take us out - to follow the enemy's mission to, as Jesus said, steal, kill, and destroy.  That's a real danger: spiritually speaking, and there may even be manifestations in the physical or emotional realms. But, we can be confident in the Lord.

And, we can be confident in Him, to depend on Him to show us how to pray.  While I think it is important to pray specifically, sometimes we may not have the complete knowledge of a situation, but we can rely on the Spirit to take our words and direct them, so that the will of God will be fulfilled.  We don't have to be uninformed or insecure in our prayers - we can rely on God's strength.

Wait

When we encounter unanswered prayer in our lives, it could be that God is not saying a hard "no" to us, but that He is showing us that we need to be patient and wait on His timing. And, He may just have a better answer than the one for which we are asking. 1st John 5 gives us some powerful and practical prayer instructions:
13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

Emily Alabi has just joined FBI.  That would be the television series, not the actual federal agency.  But, the actress had to wait for the role.  She had auditioned for a part in the series, but had been rejected.  Now, in retrospect, she sees God's perfect timing at work, according to a Movieguide article, which says:

The actress posted about her FBI role on Instagram, writing, “God’s timing. With overwhelming gratitude in my heart, I don’t know where to begin in expressing how much this opportunity means to me because of the journey God took me on to get HERE.”

“I wanted to share a little of my story to inspire others to trust God’s timing. I tested for FBI at the beginning of Season 7 for another role, and what an amazing experience that was, but we got the news that they were going in a different direction. I was heartbroken but fully surrendered to God’s plan,” she continued. “I never stopped working, and I never stopped trusting Him.”

Alabi continued, “Turns out, 4 months later, my Dad was diagnosed with leukemia, and because I wasn’t in NYC filming, I was able to be with him throughout his chemo treatment and journey to recovery, which was more important to me than anything else. God knew that I needed to be with my Dad. Now that my dad is home and on his way to a full recovery, it’s crazy to see how God brought this back around but now, at just the right time.”

The article notes that, according to the Deadline website, Alabi will be joining the television series for Season 7, and, perhaps could become a regular for the following season. 

At the beginning of 2025, the actress had posted on Facebook:

Starting off 2025 more #grateful than ever.

My dad is finally going home! After an intense and emotional month, our hearts are filled with so much gratitude. Day after day, we witnessed God do what only he can do: heal, restore, and renew. Our focus was on conquering each day, taking it step by step, and putting one foot in front of the other. And by faith, my dad walked and put in the hard work.

We stopped focusing on the problem and focused on the promise. “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11.

So, while Emily trusted God for an acting role, she, as she said, was "fully surrendered to God's plan." And, the rejection turned out to be a blessing, because she had the opportunity to spend time with her dad in his battle with leukemia.

The Bible teaches us in Isaiah 40 that there is strength in waiting.  We may not see the answer that we pray for at the time or in the way we think we should.  Those seasons can provide an opportunity for our faith to grow.  As we wait, we can continue to seek God's will, and stand fast or perhaps even refine our prayers.  We can continue to pray according to His Word and our faith becomes strengthened, as we recognize that His ways are higher than our own. 

So, when we become discouraged when it seems like God has not heard our prayers or that we may have prayed erroneously, we can continue to stand strong in faith.  We can be confident that He knows what's best for us and continue to build our lives on His promises.

Listening

God will use music that is devoted to Him to carry His message and to help people enter into His presence. I believe that He has created the concept of music and song to be used for His purposes. Psalm 92 states:
(1) ...It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night,
3 On an instrument of ten strings, On the lute, And on the harp, With harmonious sound.
4 For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands.

FoxNews.com has reported on Facebook that, "The growth of Christian music among millennials and younger listeners increased by 45% last year."  Christian artist Brandon Lake was a guest on Fox and Friends recently in advance of the Grammy Awards - he was nominated for his album, Coat of Many Colors.  He stated that people are "sick of fake and they're sick of something that's just getting them by. They want something that's gonna make them alive and fully alive and that's Jesus Christ."

In December, the website, Rapzilla reported on a study by the Gospel Music Association about Christian/Gospel Music. It quoted from a GMA press release that said, "With 54 million Americans tuning in weekly, the genre continues to be a beacon of hope and inspiration for a diverse and loyal audience."

Some of the findings include:

• 54 million adults listen to Christian and Gospel music several times a week or more, according to GMA, making it one of the most popular genres in the country.
• 40% of listeners identify as part of an ethnic minority, reflecting the genre’s inclusivity and cultural relevance. Gender representation is almost balanced, with 52% female and 48% male listeners.
• The majority of listeners (62%) are under the age of 50, with Millennials (22-36 years old) and Gen X (37-55 years old) making up a substantial portion.

Brandon Lake is also quoted in a recent piece at Relevant Magazine.  He commented on collaboration with other artists, which can lead to more impactful music.  The article relates:

Worship collectives have seen a massive emergence in this decade, and many of today’s biggest artists got their start in a collective. Even as these artists venture out on their own, the desire to collaborate remains at the core of what they do.

Take Brandon Lake, for example. Once a staple of Maverick City Music, Lake is now touring as a solo artist, but his favorite tour each year is co-headlining with Phil Wickham. For Lake, working alongside other worship artists isn’t just fun for audiences — it’s vital for the Church as a whole.

“The Kingdom is present when the table gets wider,” Lake said. “The positive side of having more people at the table is that there are more perspectives of who God is—not a different truth, but just a different side of His face.”

Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan have a Hillsong background, and they are collaborating to share what God is doing in their lives and music. Fielding says: "The scriptures tell us the church is like a body, with many different parts,” he said. “It’s easy to think worship songwriters are all hands, doing the same thing. But this emerging generation of songwriters and worship leaders is enriching the church by taking unique approaches. We’re all better for it.”

Another group of Christian artists that we have featured on Faith Radio is One Voice Worship, out of Seattle. One Voice Worship. The Relevant article says:

The group never expected a worship movement to emerge from the Northwest, but they’ve discovered a real hunger for authenticity. And what’s more authentic than genuine worship?

“We’ve gotten to speak to so many artists who encourage us to stay true to our vision,” said Cole Hastie, a founding member of One Voice Worship. “It can be tempting to do what someone else is doing, but we know we’re here for a reason, and we’re sticking to that plan as best we can.”

He added, “If we had mapped this out ourselves, we’d have messed it up. God was doing something all along, and now we just get to be part of it.”

Worship leader Anna Golden also shares about the authenticity with which artists are attempting to communicate. She notes that worship music has "evolved," and states: "It’s necessary for people with a biblical base and a Jesus perspective to make music for a wide audience...It brings a healthy perspective to genres that might otherwise lack it.”

Joel Houston, a founding member of Hillsong United, shared his perspective on what God is doing in Christian music: "As Christians, we should champion people trying to break the mold because the creative spaces are a mission field,” Houston said. “Good art has the ability to enter our soul without our permission and draw people into the presence of God—even if they don’t know what it is. As an artist, it’s not my job to write music that’s going to save the world. My job is to bring what I’ve got as an offering and put it out there..."

Christian music has become the soundtrack for so many people's lives.  Faith Radio is committed to not only sound Bible teaching, but also uplifting music that glorifies God and helps to bring you into an awareness of His presence.  Through music that honors Him, we can maintain an awareness of God and be reminded of who He is and what He has done.

Brandon Lake also underscores the importance of authenticity in music.  As contemporary Christian music began to gain a foothold, there was a season, I believe, of struggling for relevancy.  There were tremendous singers and musicians who were using their talents for the Lord, but they were struggling to be heard.  God was moving, but following the Jesus Revolution, was the world listening?  So, there became a performative element to the music, a packaging and even a commercialization of the genre.

But, I believe the Lord was bigger than all that.  Christian music can stand on its own, and that is reflected in these statistics. Now, He is calling singers, songwriters, and musicians to follow His direction, to inspire creativity, and to surrender to His direction.  Through collaboration and not competition, Christian musicians are helping to make one another stronger, and we, the listeners, are better for it. 

Freed Up

Davos is a place in Switzerland that once a year becomes a playground for the world's elites, people who are determined to tell the people of the world what's good for them. It's a globalist party, full of the unaccountable and those who are unconcerned about the right things. Davos represents the setup for a one-world government and powerful leader that is described in Daniel 8:
23 "And in the latter time of their kingdom, When the transgressors have reached their fullness, A king shall arise, Having fierce features, Who understands sinister schemes.
24 His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; He shall destroy fearfully, And shall prosper and thrive; He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people.
25 "Through his cunning He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; And he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; But he shall be broken without human means.

So, into Davos comes the new American President - even though he has enormous wealth, he doesn't quite seem to fit with the globalist titans.  His slogan is, "America First." You might say that he's the anti-globalist.  And, he had some choice words for some who control the flow of financial wealth.

CBN.com reported on the festivities.  It stated: 

As CBN News has reported, an increasing number of Christian leaders and conservative groups say their accounts have been closed in recent years, payment processors turned off, or have been placed on a donor "blacklist," by some of the nation's top lenders.

I have reported to you about the ability of some to participate in financial activities because of...ideology.  And, President Trump called out that practice - to those gathered at Davos, where those who desire to control the flow of resources in our world gathered.  CBN noted:

Trump took a moment during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland to blast CEO Brian Moynihan, of Bank of America, and CEO Jamie Dimon, of Chase, over "woke capitalism."

"I hope you start opening your bank to conservatives because many conservatives complain that the banks are not allowing them to do business within the bank," he said via videolink from Washington, D.C. "They don't take conservative business."

The president was responding to a question from Moynihan on his latest executive orders and the US economy.

The article noted that former U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback was among those who experienced a practice that has been called "de-banking."  CBN said that Brownback, "...chairman of The National Committee for Religious Freedom (NCRF) said in 2022" that Chase "decided to 'end their relationship' with his group and closed the account after only three weeks."  Brownback related:

"When our executive director called to see if this was an error, he was informed that 'a note in the file read that Chase employees were not permitted to provide any further clarifying information to the customer,'" he explained.

"Why the cancellation? Why the secrecy and lack of transparency? Why was Chase hiding its reasons and intentions for closing the account of a client that seeks to serve the public good and defend religious freedom for every person in America," Brownback questioned.

As CBN noted:

Last year, a House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government was given a report from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue and Global Disinformation Index titled "Bankrolling Bigotry: An Overview of the Online Funding Strategies of American Hate Groups."

The list "draws a false equivalency between certain conservative civil society groups and the American Nazi Party and the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, suggesting FinCEN views them equally," said the House Select Subcommittee.

FinCEN stands for "Financial Crimes Enforcement Network."

Business Insider reported that:

State attorneys general in 2024 alleged major banks canceled accounts of people with conservative views. Last April, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach accused Bank of America of canceling accounts of gun manufacturers, Immigration and Customs Enforcement contractors, and Christian ministry groups.

"Bank of America's practice of cancelling the bank accounts of conservatives and even turning over information about customer's purchases to federal law enforcement undermines free speech, religious freedom and the right to privacy," Kobach said in the letter. "It's discriminatory and likely illegal. As state attorneys general, we will vigorously defend the constitutional rights of all Americans when they are threatened by big business."

Also, in his speech via teleconference to the Davos attendees, the President encouraged investment in America, and highlighted his commitment to freedom, stating, according to the White House website:

I’m pleased to report that America is also a free nation once again. On day one, I signed an executive order to stop all government censorship. No longer will our government label the speech of our own citizens as misinformation or disinformation, which are the favorite words of censors and those who wish to stop the free exchange of ideas and, frankly, progress. We have saved free speech in America, and we’ve saved it strongly.

With another historic executive order this week, I also ended the weaponization of law enforcement against the American people — and, frankly, against politicians — and restored the fair, equal, and impartial rule of law.

To those who desire to control and manipulate financial factors in this world, this dose of freedom talk might be a bit jarring.  But, for Christians, if there is follow through, the restrictions and harassment that some people of faith have experienced over the past few years has the potential to open doors for us to share our faith boldly.  We have to take advantage of the opportunities that may occur. 

But, we recognize that there are powerful forces who want to silence the voice of the Church. Some are elected, some are appointed, others have acquired power and control through worldly wealth and influence.  So, we recognize that the teachings of Scripture do not comport with the philosophies of this world.  We can be strong in the Lord and rely on Him to lead us into His truth.

Waking Up

There is national consideration that is taking place right now in areas of employment, of corporate culture, and the values which corporate entities will embrace. And, a shift is occurring. The Bible teaches that we are to judged by righteous standards, not showing what James 2 calls "partiality," and that the Kingdom is predicated not on outward appearance, but on inward character. Galatians 3 states:
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

A piece at The Washington Stand published just over a week ago highlighted the decision of a major retailer to reverse a trajectory it had been on for over a decade.  The article, by Suzanne Bowdey, related:

People had been taking aim at Target’s iconic bullseye as far back as 2014, when the retailer became the corporate champion of same-sex marriage. Their support led to a chain reaction, providing cover for other major brands to wade into this brave new world of sexual radicalism. Under the leadership of leftist CEO Brian Cornell, they were one of the first businesses to sign onto legal briefs arguing for the redefinition of marriage, one of the first to open women’s restrooms and fitting rooms to biological men, and — in a move that few shoppers forgave — one of the first to sell chest-binders, packing underwear, and “tuck-friendly swimwear” to confused, trans-identifying kids.

But, the chain has made a change.  Bowdey writes:

Now, more than a decade into this social experiment, headquarters is throwing in the towel. Joining titans like Walmart, McDonalds, Tractor Supply, John Deere, Harley Davidson, Polaris, Indian Motorcycle, Lowe’s, Ford, Coors, Black & Decker, Jack Daniels, DeWalt tools, Craftsman, Caterpillar, Boeing, Toyota, and Nissan, the retailer hopes that relenting on some of its most offensive campaigns will put it back in Americans’ good graces.

Christian commentator and activist Robby Starbuck has been leading the charge against corporations who embrace a corporate culture that has been counterproductive to Target's bottom line.  He posted the latest bombshell on X:“Recently executives at Target found out I was doing a story on wokeness there. When we learned they were prepared to make changes, we shifted our focus to those changes instead.” The Stand piece said, "He posted a list of moves the company has committed to make, noting, 'I have to give their executives credit for making these changes, because it will send shockwaves in certain sectors of corporate America.'"  According to Starbuck, there will be no more kow-towing to the pro-LGBT Human Rights Campaign by reporting to its "woke Corporate Equality Index or any other DEI index."  No more marketing of Pride merchandise to kids. And, a rethinking of its actions concerning, diversity, equity, and inclusion, a concept that is under the microscope these days.

There are laws that affect the American workplace - from safety standards from OSHA to employment practices governed by the EEOC.  So, for government to attempt to produce change and conformity in the private sector is not a foreign concept.  Recently, President Trump issued an Executive Order, entitled, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.  The order stated:

Yet today, roughly 60 years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, critical and influential institutions of American society, including the Federal Government, major corporations, financial institutions, the medical industry, large commercial airlines, law enforcement agencies, and institutions of higher education have adopted and actively use dangerous, demeaning, and immoral race- and sex-based preferences under the guise of so-called “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) or “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility” (DEIA) that can violate the civil-rights laws of this Nation.

The order goes on to say: "The Federal Government is charged with enforcing our civil-rights laws. The purpose of this order is to ensure that it does so by ending illegal preferences and discrimination."  He has empowered federal agencies to address discriminatory practices under civil rights law.  

However, the warehouse shopping store chain, Costco, has decided to draw a line in the sand.  Another op-ed at The Washington Stand, also by Suzanne Bowdey, stated:

It’s a shrinking club, but there are still headstrong CEOs who refuse to bend to the anti-woke winds. None have grabbed more headlines than Costco, the big box holdout who’s clinging to DEI while a stampede of businesses run the other way. After voting down a shareholder resolution last Thursday to return to neutral, the heat is on. And if consumers won’t change the company’s mind, maybe 19 state attorneys general will.

The AG's said: "Although Costco’s motto is ‘do the right thing...it appears the company is doing the wrong thing — clinging to DEI policies that courts and businesses have rejected as illegal. Costco should treat every person equally and based on their merit, rather than based on divisive and discriminatory DEI practices. That reflects President Trump’s executive order encouraging the Private Sector to End Illegal DEI discrimination and Preferences.”

With Costco, according to Bowdey, "...the Free Enterprise Project, which is an arm of the National Center for Public Policy Research, offered an anti-DEI resolution that was voted down by 98% of the shareholders after the board frantically lobbied people to vote no." Stefan Padfield, who led the "project that offered the resolution," is quoted as saying: “Fortunately, the truth about DEI is being exposed as never before, and it is only a matter of time until DEI’s inherent shareholder-value-destroying nature forces even managers like those at Costco to get back to neutral and focus on creating value by providing great products and services rather than engaging in neo-Marxist and neo-racist social engineering projects..."

From a Biblical perspective, these ideas that are rooted in partiality, which lead to division and to the embrace of ideas that are not grounded in fairness and justice. In a country that is predicated on individual freedoms, to try to discourage achievement in favor of manufactured standards that circumvent the worth of the individual and his or her God-given abilities can cause damage in workplaces and in relationships. 

We are called to be people who pursue peace with others - it does not build peace when the privacy of girls in their private spaces is threatened.  It does not produce peace when matters of race and sexuality become flashpoints that divide.  In the best interest of our nation, and in the promotion of Biblical ideals, we can be the people who walk in the love of Christ, our Savior who does not see partiality, who invites all to be part of His Kingdom.