He Speaks

We can be confident that God is ordaining and orchestrating relationships, positioning others to hear from His people and preparing us to boldly proclaim His truth.  His intent is expressed in 
Ephesians 4:
14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ--
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

In order to speak the truth, we have to know the truth. And, we can be devoted to learning and practicing the principles of God's Word.  He calls us to spiritual growth; as we grow, we reflect His presence in us and we are able to live out what we say we believe.  We can become more sensitive to the leadership of the Spirit, so that we can be available when God opens a door for us to share His truth with someone else.

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We can be open to the direction of the Holy Spirit and prepared to speak truth to those who are needing 
to hear it. 1st Peter 3 tells us:
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

The clock certainly seems to be ticking on the availability of the app TikTok in the U.S., about which Faithwire states:

If you’ve read any recent headlines about the viral video app TikTok, they’re probably over its connection to the Chinese government, or its warring with the Trump administration. But while there’s plenty to be concerned about, it’s not all bad news, and this story about a professing atheist who rediscovered Jesus on the app is a perfect example.

As the story goes, a user named Felicia, who is 32 years old and who had professed to be an atheist, related to her followers how Christian videos had made an impact on her. She said, "Now I’m really confused, because all I see are videos about God and Jesus, and I actually prayed the other night, and I don’t know why,” adding, “I guess I need help, because I just don’t know where to start. I just don’t get how, if you guys claim He loves me so much, I don’t understand why I have denied him so many times.”

Felicia admitted that she had abandoned the Christian faith and "done so many bad things."  She wasn't sure how she could come into a relationship with Jesus.  She admitted that people had responded to her and provided encouragement on this new direction for her life.

And, she believes that God directed her through a Scripture verse: 2nd Timothy 4:18, which says, “Yes, the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into His heavenly Kingdom.” She also saw a bumper sticker later that day that said, "Do not stop believing."  She believed that those were “a sign from God to say, ‘Don’t believe in that and believe in me...'"

Hopefully, Felicia can find a community of believers who can strengthen her in her faith, a flesh-and-blood fellowship to augment her online experience.  She does say she'll leave her old videos up, even though there is objectionable language as a reminder of where she has come from and to hold her "accountable" for her new life.

So, even though TikTok is tainted, it is still a platform that God has used in the past, as I shared in an earlier commentary, and is continuing to use.  

In this story, we find that God, through His people, ministered to a lady who was trying to find His peace and to know Christ.  He does speak to and through His people.  And, remember, God uses a variety of ways to speak to us, some unusual, some improbable - He is devoted to getting His message to people.  He spoke to Moses in a burning bush.  He spoke to the wishy-washy would-be prophet Balaam through His donkey.  He got His message to Mary and Joseph through angels.  And, He has given us His Word through the Scriptures and leads us by His Spirit.  He is intent to reach us and to reach others through us. 

But, we remember that His primary way of communicating is through His Word, activated by the Spirit, and spoken by His people.  We have to be grounded in the Word so that when an occasion arises, we can share the right words to be able to minister in a particular situation.  And, we can expose ourselves to solid Bible teaching that lines up with the truth in His Word.

We can remember to be ready, prepared to speak His message of hope.  Perhaps someone will ask us a question about faith in Christ.  We have to make sure that we can give an answer that will reflect God's intent.

Proclaiming Christ

In Luke 13, we see an instance in which a group reported to Jesus an offensive action, and He replied by highlighting the sinfulness of humanity. We can read:
1 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

2 And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."

Jesus taught about the way to eternal life, through a relationship with Himself.  He promised abundant life, a fruitful life, encouraging His people to abide in Him.  We cannot live in a manner acceptable to God unless we are willing to set aside our own sinful ways and allow Him to change us, to fill us with His power, and to direct us.  He calls us to a walk of obedience, which involves repentance - being truly sorry for our sins and willing to take another direction.  We put off the old and put on the new, as Ephesians 4 illustrates for us.

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A verse in the book of Joel was used recently in calling for a gathering, a "solemn assembly" before the 
Lord. That verse is contained in this passage:
13 Gird yourselves and lament, you priests; Wail, you who minister before the altar; Come, lie all night in sackcloth, You who minister to my God; For the grain offering and the drink offering Are withheld from the house of your God.
14 Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; Gather the elders And all the inhabitants of the land Into the house of the Lord your God, And cry out to the Lord.

In the next chapter, there is the promise of God's response to the cries of His people:
28 "And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.
29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

A mayor in Ohio has declared that he is submitting to a higher authority and has dedicated his city to Jesus.  That's according to a ChristianHeadlines.com article, which relates that at a recent "solemn assembly" held at a large park in Ashland, Ohio, Mayor Matt Miller stated:

“As I stand before you tonight, in the bright light of his Son, to the extent I am able, I give this City of Ashland to the LORD Jesus Christ. May this be a land where He rules supreme. May this be a land where His love is genuinely felt by believers and non-believers alike,” Miller declared.

He also expressed his thanks to God for a relatively small amount of COVID-19 cases in the city.

Around 25 churches who are part of the Ashland County Ministerial Association sponsored the event. Organizer John Bouquet "told Mayor Miller that he found inspiration for the spiritual gathering when he read the book of Joel in the Old Testament, and the prophet called the southern nation of Judah to 'call a solemn assembly' in repentance before God..." The article references Joel 1:13.

And, the association has another idea for the month of September:

Bouquet also said that the AMCA want to establish a “Prayer Force” in September, where they plan on visiting a church for each day of the week in praying for revival, followed by more churches in the coming weeks.

It is heartening to see public officials go public with their belief in God. Recently, in an interview with CBN News, the governor of South Dakota, Kristi Noem, said, "...what I found in our culture today is people love being offended..."  She added, "And that that is wreaking havoc on our culture and our way of life in people's hearts," and said, "So I am hopeful that, while we are seeing some challenges, while we're seeing things happening in America that break our hearts every day that God will find a way to reveal a healing process that really will bring us together and help us make more progress towards loving each other and seeking after God again than we've seen in decades."  

Noem has become rather well-known for her response to the coronavirus that did not, as the article notes, did not issue a "shelter in place" order or close any businesses. She does believe that the response to the virus has become politicized and has become unfair to people of faith. The governor stated, "...we need to use every tool that we have to make sure that we still have the ability to practice our faith and to gather as we see fit. And we have directly seen in many of these states, where they have allowed other gatherings yet restricted those who want to go to church and worship together."

The Ohio mayor reminds us that we are invited to proclaim Jesus over your life, your family, your home, your church, and your community.  While it certainly involves words, we also recognize that we can take the actions to back that up. When we proclaim the name of Jesus, we establish a standard to which we are called and empowered to live up to.  A key element of that is to have a repentant heart, isolating, confessing, and turning away from those areas in which we are sinning against God.  

The South Dakota's words about God's healing remind us that repentance is a key element of that. People will be gathering for a "solemn assembly" in Washington, DC later this month for "The Return" on the National Mall.  Coinciding with it will be a prayer walk led by Franklin Graham.  Hopefully, staging these events in the nation's capital will remind us that we need to restore collectively our relationship with God.  In a nation that is fractured, we need a release of God's power and a proclamation of His truth.

We Preach

When we need the right words to say in a particular situation, we can rely on the presence of the Holy Spirit to speak through us. In Luke 12, we find these words:
11 Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say.
12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."

We are living in a culture that needs to see Godly wisdom in action and to hear the words of God spoken. We can develop a sense of boldness with dependence on the Lord, who has given us powerful resources, in order that we may represent Him well. In the midst of turmoil and the presence of anger, we can be the people of peace, who are praying in unity and proclaiming truth as God directs. He is the One who gives us the direction to know what to say at the proper time.

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Acts chapter 4 tells the story of a man who had been healed as the result of the prayers of Peter and John.  These men were bold to preach God's Word in an increasingly hostile situation.  We can read 
these verses:
18 And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

The stunning destruction of property and lack of wherewithal by officials in cities across the country to do something about it certainly can make Americans feel unsafe.  Two brothers who until recently operated a deli in Chicago have experienced the effects.  As Faithwire reports: "Juan Riesco and his brother, Jose, were heirs to a flourishing family business — Nini’s Deli — in downtown Chicago."  In the midst of protests, the article says...

Having since left Chicago in the wake of the restaurant’s forced, permanent closure, Riesco told Faithwire he and his brother are focusing on ministry.

“If they’re gonna protest,” he said, “we’re gonna preach.”

Everyone certainly has a right to peaceful protest. The brothers chose to make a Biblically-informed statement, rather than tow the line for the protesters who wanted to force them to adopt and endorse a point of view that violated their faith.

“I had felt in my spirit that I needed to, yes, take a stand [against] injustice, but also take a stand, most importantly, for Christ,” Riesco explained. “Because my business was so successful, by God’s grace, we had a lot of eyes waiting on us to make a statement about what was happening.”

It all came to a head on June 5, when, "Nini’s Deli shut down permanently as liberal protesters descended on the once-popular eatery."  Faithwire notes:

Tensions only rose when Riesco’s brother Jose began brashly preaching during the raucous protest outside the deli, calling out many of the protesters for their “wicked agenda.” With his at times confrontational style, he talked about how his brother once identified as gay but “Jesus fixed him, straightened him out.”

The bottom line: "Ultimately, the social pressure proved to be too much: the constant protests, the endless stream of social media posts slandering the restaurant, and the cancelled partnerships with big-name brands resulted in Nini’s Deli having to permanently closed its doors after a decade of business."

Across our land, we have seen others adopt the viewpoint, in the midst of sometimes violent protests or enormous social pressure, that they will be a witness for Christ.  Kenosha, Wisconsin is one of those places.  According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, there were "Hundreds of people gathered in Harbor Park along Lake Michigan" last Thursday for the purpose of prayer and transformation.  The article says:

“Transform our city, Lord God,” local faith leader John Lalgee exclaimed to cheers and outstretched arms.

The article relates:

Earlier in the day, volunteers worked to beautify the boarded-up downtown businesses with coats of paint and messages of love, and a Minneapolis-based Christian band played worship music to a dancing crowd in a park near much of the damage.

And, the newspaper notes: "At the prayer service, several faith leaders spoke on the same theme. Healing is possible through love and unity, they said."

The article referred to comments by Lawrence Kirby, pastor of Acts Church in Kenosha, who said, “Kenosha for a couple days was like a war zone,” adding, “People are hopeless and tired and frustrated.” He said, "In the midst of protests and all kinds of other gatherings...the church should be gathered as well.”

Like the Riescos, these Kenosha pastors believed that if some were going to protest in violent and angry ways, they would preach. It's an informing contrast, isn't it?  I thought it was interesting that Pastor Kirby, according to the article, mentioned the "religious roots of the civil rights movement."  There was certainly a strong faith element during that time period, in which many who desired social change were motivated by faith and the Church was a key component.  

Not so in this new wave of social protests, which has come to be increasingly marked by destruction and an endorsement of anarchy - and the positive vibes that were generated after the death of George Floyd, the intentionality and energy to improve race relations, have degenerated into a more widespread display of anger and lawlessness.  

And, as I mentioned last Thursday, a survey shows that over 6-in-10 Americans do not wish to express their views out of fear.  But, the Church can continue to be emboldened to speak its views - for the worth of all individuals and to express a sense of peace.  In the midst of violence and anger, we can go to prayer for peace.  People need to see the expression of the presence of Christ, the hope of the world, who teaches us how to love one another and possesses the power to enable us to do so.  But, our approach is vastly different from the anarchists, the perpetrators of chaos, who want to force everyone to adopt their views.  We can be empowered to speak what God shows us in His Word.

Public Faith

God uses imperfect, sinful people to accomplish His purposes. That includes each of us, certainly, but He also will lead us to have a significant impact in our communities and even our nation.  Proverbs 14 
states:
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.
35 The king's favor is toward a wise servant, But his wrath is against him who causes shame.

We can determine that we will follow the way of righteousness - in our own lives individually, and to make a statement to our society that we will follow the ways of God.  That is reflected in the decisions we make, led by the Holy Spirit.  He has given us a story and He has provided for us a voice with which to tell it.  We can rejoice that the Lord is faithful and He is actively working through His people, so that He may be honored.

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The Bible addresses issues concerning Biblical authority - set against a background of lawlessness in our streets, we have seen in the last two weeks examples of orderly selection of those who aspire to lead our nation. Romans 13 states:
1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.

One of the themes that I will explore commonly on my radio show is that our Christian faith should drive all of our decisions, including matters of politics.  Certainly, there are those Christians who are ridiculed for being "too involved in politics," but I believe the selection of leaders and attempting to influence policies represent opportunities for believers to be salt and light.  And, it's interesting that you hear some believers who will call other Christians out for political involvement, yet it seems they're only calling out those who disagree with them politically.

This week, perhaps you have seen or heard a variety of outspoken Christians take to the stage at the Republican National Convention.  These are believers who take their participation seriously and attempt to communicate their worldview.  We need faith in politics - faith that is consistent with the Bible, faith that produces "good works," and faith that makes a strong statement in what is called "the public square."

Take, for instance, Jon Ponder.  He is a former bank robber, but had a special moment at the convention.  According to Faithwire:

Jon Ponder, a former bank robber pardoned Tuesday evening by President Donald Trump, said Wednesday afternoon that it “was 100% Jesus” who turned his life around while he was behind bars.

“I want to thank God for turning my life around,” Ponder told Fox News’ Dana Perino. “It was 100% Jesus that turned my life in a 180-degree turn in another direction and I cannot stop thanking Him enough.”

On Tuesday, the President said: “While Jon was in prison, he began reading the Bible and listening to Christian radio,” adding, “One day, he heard the Rev. Billy Graham on the radio proclaim Jesus wants to be Lord of your life. On that day, Jon dedicated his life to Christ. He spent the rest of his time in prison studying the Bible.”

The Graham family was represented this year by not only Franklin Graham, who prayed during the Thursday night program, but also his daughter, Cissie Graham Lynch, who delivered a message centered around the Trump Administration's defense of religious freedom.  A Faithwire article states:

She told viewers that under the Obama-Biden administration these freedoms were under attack.

“Democrats tried to make faith organizations pay for abortion-inducing drugs. Democrats tried to force adoption agencies to violate their deeply-held beliefs. Democrats pressured schools to allow boys to compete in girls’ sports and use girls’ locker rooms. Those are the facts,” Lynch said.

“Then we the people elected Donald Trump. The people of faith suddenly had a fierce advocate in the White House,” she added. “He appointed judges who respect the First Amendment. He supported religious beliefs in court. He ensured that religious ministries would not be forced to violate their beliefs. He reversed the policies that placed our little girls at risk,” she continued.

To counter the well-known Democrat position on support for abortion on demand, Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood director who is leading abortion clinic employees out of the industry, stated, according to the same Faithwire article:

“For me, abortion is real,” Johnson said. “I know what it sounds like. I know what abortion smells like. Did you know that abortion even had a smell? I’ve been the perpetrator to these babies…to these women. And I now support President Trump because he has done more for the unborn than any other president.”

Johnson reminded viewers that “life is a core tenant of who we are as Americans. This election is a choice between two radical anti-life activists and the most pro-life president we have ever had. That’s something that should compel you to action,” she continued. “Take action that re-elects our president and do it with our very most vulnerable Americans in mind. The ones who haven’t been born yet.”

Two relatively recent Meeting House guests were part of a panel of hostages who had experienced freedom, a discussion hosted by the President.  The Christian Post quotes Andrew Brunson, an American pastor who was imprisoned in Turkey, who said: "You took unprecedented steps, actually, to secure my release and your administration really fought for me..."  The article also says:

The sixth hostage, Bryan Nerren, thanked Trump for sending a letter to his wife as he was held captive in India. “It really gave her the hope and the peace.”

“From that time forward, as more people got involved, especially the ambassador there in India, things became more peaceful … and the hope was there for the last four months, that we really would get to come home,” he added.

Other high-ranking Christians who have participated in the Convention include Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who addressed the gathering from Jerusalem, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, and Vice-President Mike Pence, who accepted his nomination Wednesday night at Fort McHenry. 

The President accepted his nomination with a speech that covered a variety of topics, as outlined by CBN News.  The President asked: “...How can the Democrat party ask to lead our country when it spends so much time tearing down our country?”  The report went on to say:

He touted the strong economy, trade deals, low unemployment, Supreme Court picks and his response to the Coronavirus for reasons to vote Trump in November.

“When I am re-elected the best is yet to come,” Trump said.

ChristianHeadlines.com quotes the President as saying: "...in this country, we don't look to career politicians for salvation. In America, we don't turn to government to restore our souls. We put our faith in almighty God.”

David Brody of CBN tweeted out this quote from the President: "Democrat politicians refuse to protect innocent life, and then they lecture us about morality and saving America's soul? Tonight, we proudly declare that all children, born and unborn, have a GOD-GIVEN RIGHT TO LIFE."

One of the notable aspects of the Republican National Convention, besides the lack of large crowds to greet the speakers, were the testimonials of real people who wanted their voices to be heard.  That is beauty that is woven in the fabric of America - we can live free, we can be who we are, and we can, or should be able to speak freely.  And, people were sharing their experiences.  Unfortunately, there is an intimidation factor that results in people like Sen. Paul, who was accosted last night as he left the White House, and others, who have been the victims of so-called "protesters" who are really agitators who want to significantly alter the American way of life.  That is why we need to pray for our nation; Franklin Graham gave a great example last night - the Decision Magazine website quoted from him:

As we come tonight, our country is facing trouble. Tens of thousands are in the path of a deadly storm. The pandemic has gripped millions of hearts with fear. We’re divided. We have witnessed injustice. Anger and despair have flowed into the streets. We need Your help. We need to hear Your voice at this crucial hour. 

We ask that You would unite our hearts, to be one nation under God—for You are our only hope.

We declare today our total dependence upon You and our need of repentance as a people.

The nominating conventions are over, and now the work of prayer and action has begun. It is important that you register to vote and engage people on the issues at stake, from a Biblical perspective.  Compare the stated positions of the candidates with the Scriptures - allow a Christian worldview to determine your vote.  We don't have to be intimidated by those that want to diminish Christian involvement in the public square - those who chide believers for "being too involved in politics" or dismiss their patriotism by ridiculing them for their "Christian nationalism."  Look around, study the history - this is a nation established on principles consistent with the Scripture - have we made mistakes?  Certainly.  But, liberty is part of the wonderful foundation of our nation, and we can look ultimately to God as our defender.

Shutting Down

In the strength of the Lord, we can walk with confidence, showing the people with whom we interact 
that we are devoted to Him. Habakkuk chapter 2 says:
2 Then the Lord answered me and said: "Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.
4 "Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.

We are equipped to be people of vision, who exhibit godly direction and whose lives are rooted in the truth of Scripture. And, we have the Holy Spirit, who enables us to speak that truth, even to an audience that may not be willing to hear or receive it.  In an age where intimidation seems to be an unfortunate component of interpersonal communication, we can walk free from fear and demonstrate the soundness of speech and mind that the Scripture teach.

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There is a profound effort to demand that people adopt viewpoints that are not Biblical in nature - there are some whose machinations have become so strident that they are being counterproductive, and since there is apparently a lack of Biblical foundation, it results in chaos and destruction. Christian believers are better than this, and we can strive to boldly share God's love and truth. Hebrews 10 states:
35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
37 "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."

We are living in the age of the "cancel culture," and there certainly does seem to be an intimidation factor at play, situations in which people are afraid to speak their mind, to express an opinion, for fear that there could be negative consequences of speaking out.  I would contend that Christians have faced this in a number of settings, including the workplace and in education.

A new poll by the Cato Institute has received quite a bit of attention. The survey asked respondents to indicate whether or not they agreed with this statement, according to an article at the CNSNews.com website: “The political climate these days prevents me from saying things I believe because others might find them offensive.”  The article says:

Sixty-two percent (62%) of Americans agreed, up from 58% in 2017, leading Cato to conclude that “self‐​censorship is on the rise in the United States.”

The only group, or "cohort," in which a majority felt comfortable in sharing their opinions is "strong liberals."  According to the article, Cato concluded:

Nearly 6 in 10 (58%) of staunch liberals feel they can say what they believe. However, centrist liberals feel differently. A slim majority (52%) of liberals feel they have to self‐​censor, as do 64% of moderates, and 77% of conservatives. This demonstrates that political expression is an issue that divides the Democratic coalition between centrist Democrats and their left flank....

By a 25-point margin - 77 to 52% - Republicans were more fearful of sharing their viewpoints.

Across the board, around a third of Americans "fear that their careers would be harmed if their political views were known." And, here's an interesting finding: "31% of Americans said they would support firing a business executive who donates to Pres. Donald Trump’s reelection campaign and 22% would back firing one who personally donates to Joe Biden’s campaign." This rises to 50% of self-identified "strong liberals" believing a Trump supporter should be fired, and 36% of "strong conservatives" believe that about Biden supporters.

  

The article says, "even those holding mainstream views are being intimidated into silence, Cato concludes."

It is clear that, in many circles, if you do not virtue signal and pledge allegiance to the dangerous narrative of identity politics, there will be consequences.  Maybe retaliation.  We, as people of faith, need to pursue a better way.

For the Christian, we can learn to share our views in a reciprocal manner; we don't want our own opinions to be shut down, and we should strive not to automatically shut others down because their opinions differ from ours.  And, we have to be confident in the compelling nature of a Biblical worldview.  We can strive to share our faith in a manner that draws people in, rather than repulses them.

We can certainly recognize that not all will accept your point of view, but continue to look for ways to share it.  We are not called to give up in our relating of God's truth, but we are to give over our tongues to the presence of the Holy Spirit.  He is the one who will give us strength and enable us not to fear. We don't have to shrink back, but to press forward.

Still Here

If we are still here on this earth, we can be confident that God has a unique purpose for each of us, and 
He is expressing His goodness toward us. 2nd Thessalonians 1 states:
11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,
12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We know that God is good and He is faithful.  When we face life's difficulties, we can choose to reject His ways, which is certainly not advisable, or we can press in to Him, to seek His face and learn to trust Him wholeheartedly.  We can know that He is with us, even now, and we can draw strength by reflecting on His "exceedingly great and precious promises," to which the Word refers, and on how we have seen Him work in our lives in the past - we can rejoice that He has sustained us and that He is faithful.

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In the early verses of the book of Philippians, Paul writes about the work of God in the lives of his 
readers, saying:
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,
5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.

I am back in the Faith Radio studios for today's edition of The Meeting House, and during the days to come, I will be offering conversations from the Fall 2020 Christian Product Expo, which took place this year in Wilmington, Delaware.

To say the least, it was an unusual year for a semi-annual event that brings together Christian retailers, publishers, authors, and others involved in communicating Christian truth.  It has been a difficult season for those who sell Christian products in the midst of COVID-19, following an upheaval in the publishing industry.  In many areas, local Christian bookstores and even national chains have gone away.  But, as it was said to me multiple times, the personal touch is important, the relationship between Christian retailers and their customers is an element that cannot be duplicated online.

And, to tell you the truth, my coverage of this show is something that cannot be duplicated online. I think it is important on occasion to bring face-to-face conversations from a variety of locations.  I have been planning to attend the CPE Fall Show for months, and as we continued to ride through the coronavirus crisis, I communicated with scheduled and potential guests about an online option.  In the end, I decided, less than a week ago to go ahead and follow through with attending.  I have no regrets that I did.

The look was different, with social distancing and mask requirements and an emphasis on sanitization. It came together, though, and I really believe many who attended felt a sense of God's leadership in placing them right where they needed to be - and they were dedicated to self-preservation by keeping their distance, when possible, and loving their neighbor by wearing a mask.  In the body of Christ, we were designed for human fellowship, and this group of hundreds of people were determined to put it into practice.

And, I heard stories, and you may already have and certainly will hear stories of people who have stared down death or the possibility of being sidelined by the enemy, but they have persevered and trusted Christ.  

Yesterday, maybe you heard the conversation with Sioni Rodriguez and her daughter, Scheila Singley; Sioni was sold into human trafficking three times - by her mother.  Scheila was staring a long prison sentence in the face.  The family certainly had spiritual strongholds at play, but recognized the work of the enemy and experienced the power of the Holy Spirit to break the hold of the enemy, who could have taken them both out, spiritually speaking - but God had other plans!  They are now being used of the Lord to tell His story.

Coming up, you'll meet Sharon Harris - she was actually born in Wilmington, but her family moved to South Central Los Angeles.  Sharon fell into drug use; she was given her first drink by her grandmother at age 8, she had her first child at age 12, as a ward of the state.  Her circumstances looked hopeless, but God stepped in and turned her life around; as she said to me, she shouldn't be here.  But, He has been faithful.

Ginny Dent Brant could say that too - she faced a different type of menace in her life, contracting cancer.  But that occurrence motivated her to dig deeper, to study the disease and the contributing factors, to seek the Lord and to discover His design.  Through her embracing of God's principles and His hope and exercising treatment options, she experienced His healing in her life from a deadly disease.

Robin Luftig was told to take 10 days to get her affairs in order as she faced a brain tumor - the surgery could have several different outcomes, including death.  In the midst of that short time period, she discovered more about the faithfulness of God and saw how God used that time as a time of training and recalibration for her life.  He walked with her, and she came through.

In all of these cases, these ladies have discovered the grace of God - and the purpose of God!  They are still here on this earth, and as it's been said, that means that God is not finished.  Their faithfulness to tell their stories is being used by the Lord to bring honor to Him and encouragement to readers. Plain and simple, we are here on this earth, at this moment, to serve.  You have a place in the Kingdom and you can depend on the Lord to walk with you.  One day, He will take you home - but not yet!

So, we can accept the fact that He has preserved you; now you can attempt to discover the "why?" And, you can tell the story of what He has done for you.  I remember the CPE conversation with Linda Howard, who stopped by Faith Radio/Meeting House Media Central to discuss a new Bible product that is in the form of a graphic novel; she spoke of the "story" of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.  I would contend that woven in God's overall story that we find in Scripture is your own story, a story of redemption through Christ and how Jesus has worked in your life.  We can be challenged to be faithful to talk about what God has done for us.

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In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapter 6, Jesus spoke powerfully about what we allow our 
eyes to see and how we process that information. We can read:
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.
23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

I believe that Jesus is warning us to be careful what we allow into our minds - the eye is one of the gateways through which content enters; if we accept content that is contrary to our beliefs, then it enters our minds and ultimately can pollute our spirits, if we do not reject it.  That is why it's important to build a spiritual firewall - there is so much information, and we have to be cautious to accept or reject what we are exposed to and take steps to protect our eyes and minds from what could be detrimental to our spiritual lives.

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We can be wise in the choices we make, including in the areas of entertainment, making sure our convictions determine our decisions. Psalm 101 states:
2 I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me.
4 A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness.

The entertainment company said it was coming, but it may have been sooner than some might have expected - recently, the Hallmark Channel aired a movie called, Wedding Every Weekend, about which its promotional videos, according to ChristianNews.net, "depict a scene where two women 'wed' each other." The article says:

“It really reflects the world that we live in now,” states actress Makayla Moore in a behind-the-scenes video. “It’s exciting to celebrate love in all its forms.”

She and actress Carmel Amit, who play Amanda and Vicky, “wed” each other in the movie as a minor role.

One of the lead actors Paul Campbell, who plays the role of a man who attends wedding after wedding with a female friend and eventually they become involved themselves, said in in the promotional video, "What is so important about what we’re doing in this movie is acknowledging the fact that love is love..."

That is a trite phrase that has become somewhat of a mantra for LGBTQ individuals - it is called "love," but Romans 1 offers a different opinion, describing homosexuality as a practice that is not pleasing to God. It satisfies sinful passions, so while some call it love, it doesn't reflect God's ideal and meet His definition of love.

Hallmark's capitulation to the gay agenda will come as a disappointment to Christian families who have come to trust the channel to program family-friendly movies, especially during the Christmas season.  The ChristianNews.net article relates:

As previously reported, in December, the Hallmark Channel reinstated airing a same-sex commercial from the wedding planning site Zola after initially pulling the advertisement as it was “distracting from the purpose of [the] network.”

The company said it would also work with the homosexual advocacy organization GLAAD to make the channel more inclusive of homosexuals.

“Hallmark will be working with GLAAD to better represent the LGBTQ community across our portfolio of brands,” it stated.

And, the article states: 

Parent company Crown Media Family Networks advised last month that it is in “active negotiations” as it plans to include “LGBT storylines” in its “Countdown to Christmas” and “Miracles of Christmas” programming later this year.

The story says that a Crown Media spokesman told NBC News that the channel would be announcing "LGBTQ storylines, characters, and actors," part of an "exciting" series of announcements.

You can be looking forward to faith- and family-friendly movies coming in the next few months. Labor Day weekend will present two offerings in the Christian space, including a movie coming to streaming called, Switched, in which two different young female characters - one popular and one not - switch bodies.  Nicole Weider of Project Inspired, who will be on The Meeting House soon discussing the film, said, according to The Christian Post, “Switched has the power to change people’s lives and give perspective to students who are struggling with bullying and comparison in school,” adding, “I am so excited to see the ways this film will positively impact the lives of young women.”  Weider is Executive Producer of and and actor in the film.

Also on Labor Day Weekend, as the article points out, through its own new streaming channel, Sight and Sound Theatres, which reopened its two locations a few weeks ago, will offer a live performance of Queen Esther.  Katie Miller from Sight and Sound will also be on the radio show soon.  Miller is quoted by The Christian Post as saying: "This year has been incredibly challenging, but we continue to see the faithfulness of God each step of the way...After canceling over 200 shows, and knowing that hundreds of thousands of people would not be able to experience the powerful message of 'Queen Esther,' we knew we had to do something."

Other upcoming films include The Order of Rights, which apparently offers a pro-life perspective on the humanity of an unborn child, Small Group: The Movie, which depicts a filmmaker who discovers the vibrancy of Christians gathering together, Never Again, which explores the prevalence and effects of anti-Semitism, and 2 Hearts, which follows the lives of two couples and how they are drawn together by life's experiences.  Later in the fall, you can expect, When We Last Spoke and The Farmer and the Belle: Saving Santaland.

One of things that occurs to me is that our entertainment choices, like our other choices in life, should be consistent with our Christian beliefs.  The Bible is clear about what we should and should not allow to penetrate our minds. And, while Hallmark has made an ill-informed decision to follow the culture, even though I believe the company miscalculated the equation of how the new LGBTQ-friendly people it may pick up will not offset the large numbers of viewers that it may lose, it certainly has a right to do so, and all viewers have a right to decide not to watch - it's the beauty of the free market. 

Fortunately, the free market of ideas can allow Christians to make movies, too, and to market them and hope people will be attracted to good stories, well-made films, and a Biblical worldview. Witness how it appears that I Still Believe, which portrays the love story between Christian musical artist Jeremy Camp and his late, first wife, will be playing in a number of theatres once they reopen in the next few days - it did well enough when it opened in March just as COVID-19 began to spread that it remains viable, apparently.  We can strive to communicate truth to our culture.  Fortunately, as I mentioned yesterday, Christian radio generally and Faith Radio specifically continue to make powerful statements to a culture that needs to hear the gospel.