Renewed

We have been promised access to the peace of God, a peace, as Philippians 4 states, that is beyond understanding. Peace is listed among the fruit of the spirit. Isaiah 26 says:
3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
4 Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.

God wants us to have healthy minds - in an age that is characterized by fear and anxiety, we are called to a higher walk.  Romans 12 instructs us to renew our minds.  We can do that by recognizing the capability of God's Word to change us as we study and meditate on God's principles, allowing it to govern our thinking.  We have to take the thoughts that would destroy us, as 2nd Corinthians 10 directs us, "captive."  When we replace ungodly thoughts with the truth of Scripture, we can have victory and peace.

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The Bible speaks clearly to areas of our mental health and encourages us to train our minds to think on the truth of Scripture. Romans 12 states:
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

We talk quite regularly, it seems, about the state of mental health these days.  While there has been a special, and appropriate, emphasis on our young people, there does seem to be a permeating sense of anxiety even among adults. 

According to an article at The Washington Stand, the Gallup organization partnered with the Radiant Foundation to explore elements of "well-being," with an emphasis on the well-being of those who are religious and those who are not.  The article relates that...

...Gallup and Radiant Foundation considered that religion (as it relates to mental health) has been “largely underexplored.”

So, they conducted a poll on the state of well-being of religious and non-religious individuals. The survey was “an analysis of World Poll data collected over 10 years in 152 countries,” and it included “interviews with approximately 1.5 million people.” The findings showed “a strong association between religiosity and wellbeing.” Notably, the study added to existing evidence that religious people have “better wellbeing” than those who are not religious.

As the writer, Sarah Holliday, points out:

Religious people consistently ranked better on the positive experience index and only scored worse on the negative experience index, which tracked feeling anxiety, worry, sadness, anger, stress, or physical pain. The lower the number the better, but religious people ranked 31.4 — higher than non-religious people who were at 29.9.

While it is generally thought that religious practice and mental well-being track together, the writer viewed this is a wrinkle.  She recognized that the reference is to "religious people," not just Christians.  And, that all Christians don't necessarily walk in the truth of Scripture. 

Plus, as Holliday points out, "By way of analysis of the positive experience index results, it makes sense that those tied to a religion have a more positive well-being since their religion is likely giving them a sense of greater purpose." And, she notes that is true for the negative experiences, "just with reverse effects." She writes: "Religion often gives a person reason to put greater emphasis on their daily life as it pertains to life after death." She also adds:

Many religious people are also more aware of sin or religious commands and feel pressured to live perfect lives but are painfully aware that their lives are not perfect. They may suffer from a plague of “not being good enough” and experience anxiety as a result.

Joseph Backholm, senior fellow for Biblical Worldview and Strategic Engagement at Family Research Council, adds:

“If you’re aware of your weaknesses but also believe it is your job to earn God’s favor, that can be a discouraging effort. Trying to earn God’s favor through effort has driven a lot of people crazy.”

Holliday notes: 

Backholm said it well when he emphasized that the “gospel of grace makes it clear that our efforts will never be good enough to please God.” Because of this, God sent Jesus to be our righteousness through repentance of sin and belief in Him. “Our righteousness is therefore a gift which propels us to obedience out of gratitude,” he added. “That’s very different than trying to earn God’s favor.”

Backholm also says: “The fruit of a Christian worldview should be peace and joy despite the circumstances, so if people consider themselves religious but are experiencing disproportionate anxiety, fear, and sadness, there is something they aren’t understanding about God and what He has done for us.”

Polling data can help us to see certain trends and attitudes in culture - and in ourselves.  Here, we see that there is a positive connection between religious practice and mental well-being.  That's not a surprise.  But, for the Christian, we also have to make sure that our faith is producing the desired fruit in our lives.  It's not a matter of just doing the right things - it's allowing God's Word and God's presence to totally transform our lives.  We have to handle the Word of God accurately and make sure that we not only regard it as the guidebook for our lives, but realize that the Scriptures contain the power for its principles to be seen in and through us. 

The Bible talks about renewing our minds, which leads to transformation.  If we're not thinking properly, that can impact not only our minds, but other areas of our lives - our lives exhibit negative expressions.  The Bible tells us that the mind that is focused on the Lord can experience perfect peace.  We need that peace that passes all understanding as we face our daily lives.  And, we can demonstrate to those around us the presence of God so that they can have hope as they face the pressures of life. 

Your Sin Will Find You Out

We are called to be bearers of the light of Christ and to shine His light on the darkness in our own hearts and in the world around us. Ephesians 5 says this:
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.
13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.

Unfortunately, our acceptance of what does not please God has enormous consequences. If we allow ideas and ideologies to permeate our minds and hearts, then our spiritual lives are weighed down and we are not as productive as we ought to be.  We are living in a dark culture that will certainly impact us negatively if we don't remain clothed in the light, adorned with the armor of God. And, we should always be bold to speak truth and walk in light, so that darkness is exposed and a contrast is seen.

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In Numbers 32, two and a half tribes from Israel wished to settle on the east side of the Jordan River 
and not live in the land promised to them. They did say that they would fight with the other Israelites to subdue the "promised Land." We read this in the chapter:
20 Then Moses said to them, “If you will do this—if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for battle
21 and if all of you who are armed cross over the Jordan before the LORD until he has driven his enemies out before him—
22 then when the land is subdued before the LORD, you may return and be free from your obligation to the LORD and to Israel. And this land will be your possession before the LORD.
23 “But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.

Your sin will find you out.

It's certainly a tragedy.  And, a reminder to all of us that what we may do in darkness might just come into the light.   That darkness includes our use of social media.

There don't seem to be any secrets these days - and that should maybe even serve to hold us accountable as we seek to please our Lord and to honor Him.

By now, you're probably familiar with a sad story of a popular small-town mayor in East Alabama who also served as the pastor of a church in Phenix City.  The story has taken a life of its own, but it didn't begin with a series of article on the website, 1819News.com, which, if you know anything about that news operation, it is committed to sharing truth.  

And, it has told the truth about this individual, who, according to a story released last Wednesday, "...had a secret life playing out online on social media and Reddit." It reports that, "Smiths Station’s mayor operated social media accounts as a transgender woman under the pseudonym Brittini Blaire Summerlin."  He regularly posted, "... in various outfits, some more racy than others. He also posted boudoir pictures of himself in women’s underwear. He "posted regularly on Reddit but also operated a private Instagram account on which he encouraged contact."

Pastor and Mayor F.L. "Bubba Copeland" did an interview with 1819.  The article said:

During an interview with 1819 News, Copeland confirmed that he operated the account and was featured in the pictures.

He claimed it was only a means of “getting rid of stress” and called the postings a “hobby” and a “fantasy.” He also said his erotica was “purely fiction.”

After the interview, Copeland promptly deleted the accounts and asked them not to be made public due to his family and position as a pastor.

Copeland initially denied having any knowledge of the accounts, but when he was made aware of the social media evidence, he quickly admitted to running the page. He also said that his wife was aware of his activity, but no one else in the community.

Following the initial story, Copeland faced his congregation. The website noted:

"I have been an object of an internet attack," Copeland said. "An article that was written about my capacity as the mayor [and] capacity as a pastor. The article is not who or what I am."

He downplayed the content he posted, calling it an "attempt of humor."

"Yes, I have taken pictures with my wife in the privacy of our home in an attempt of humor because I know I'm not a handsome man nor a beautiful woman either," Copeland continued. "I apologize for any embarrassment caused by my private, personal life that has come publicly."

Two statements really jump off the screen from this story. One is that the pastor told the congregation, "I have nothing to be ashamed of." He also said to 1819 that, "What I do in private life has nothing to do with what I do in my holy life..."

Last Friday, law enforcement was called to Copeland's home.  1819 News noted:

Our prayers are with the residents of Smiths Station, the parishioners of First Baptist Church of Phenix City and Copeland's family.

Per CNAW News, the Lee County Sheriff's office went to perform a welfare check on Copeland around 4:15 p.m. on Friday. Deputies reportedly saw the vehicle and attempted to get Copeland to stop. The mayor got out of the vehicle around 4:34 p.m. and then took his life after producing a handgun.

Yesterday, 1819 News noted that:

Two women who claimed to be victims of deceased Smiths Station Mayor F.L. "Bubba" Copeland told parts of their story during the 6 p.m. broadcast of Columbus, Ga.'s WTVM Monday evening news.

Recently, 1819 News revealed Copeland wrote erotic fiction about murdering a real-life local business owner to steal her life, as well as posting pictures of other locals with explicit commentary without their consent.

Another woman from the community has now come forward, and the Sheriff of Lee County has stated that an investigation is underway and any information will be presented to a grand jury.

This is certainly a tragic story and hits at so many different levels.  Yes, there are those that believe this man's private life should not have been the subject of news coverage, and that the news outlet is receiving the blame.  

Well, it's not exactly that this man's double life was a secret - it was all over social media - and apparently somebody knew about it, had concerns, and tipped off the media.  Now, the man has taken his own life - his sinful behavior was exposed, and it apparently became too much to bear. And, this activity truly has now emerged as potentially criminal behavior with real victims.

So, we grieve the double life that this man was carrying on; and we should rightly pray for his family, his city, and his church.  And, this gives us an opportunity to shine the light on ourselves.  Are we doing anything "in secret" that does not please the Lord?  Proverbs 11, in the NIV, says, "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity."  We have to make sure that we are acting, and even thinking, in accordance who we say we are as Christ-followers.

And, just a word about online interaction. This is certainly what could be considered an extreme case. But, we can evaluate our own online interaction.  Does it truly reflect the presence of Christ in us?  Does what we post on social media demonstrate that we are devoted to following Christ, or does our persona cause people to stumble?  We have to be careful not to hide behind an online persona that contradicts or fails to reinforce our allegiance to the Lord. 

Sticks and Stones

We should take the necessary steps to make sure that are hearts are clean before God, cleansed by the Spirit. And, continue to maintain that right relationship. In Psalm 101, we can read:
1 I will sing of your love and justice; to you, LORD, I will sing praise.
2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life— when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart.
3 I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it.
4 The perverse of heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with what is evil.

Even though, in the flesh, we have the propensity to sin, in the Spirit, we have the possibility of victory. So, we can take the steps to please the Lord by guarding our hearts, as Proverbs 4 teaches us, and allowing the Spirit of God to work in our hearts so that we reflect the presence of God in us. We have to be diligent to uphold what is good and godly and reject what is evil.  Each day, we can concentrate on the things of God so that we bring honor to His name. 

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In the 17th Psalm, we find that David calls out to God that he would walk with a pure heart and speak what is true. We can see these words:
(1) Hear a just cause, O Lord, Attend to my cry; Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.
2 Let my vindication come from Your presence; Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.
3 You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
4 Concerning the works of men, By the word of Your lips, I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.
5 Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip.

He has been, by all accounts, a devoted family man, a husband and father, active in his church, a religious liberty attorney, and a media host.  Just recently, he attained the position of Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, which is third in succession to the White House.  

I think you could safely say that many in Christian policy arena are very impressed with Mike Johnson and consider him an ally.  He has a healthy viewpoint of the role of faith in government and has lived out his personal Christian faith, allowing it to govern the policies he embraces.

And, for that, according to some media accounts, you'd think that he was ill-equipped to be speaker.  It's actually become quite ridiculous - the attempts to smear this man's good name and to portray the practice of Biblical Christianity as somehow extreme.

Take on of the latest attempts to ridicule Mike Johnson. Newsweek related a story having to do with the accountability that Mike and his son have to God and to one another to follow Scripture and to remain pure in their thought life. The publication said: "Johnson...who was first elected to Congress in 2016, spoke in 2022 about how he installed software called Covenant Eyes on his devices during a panel called "War on Technology" at Cypress Baptist Church in Benton, Louisiana, Rolling Stone reported."

The article goes on to say: 

According to a clip first posted on X, formerly Twitter, by a user called Receipt Maven, Johnson spoke about how the subscription-based service helps people abstain from internet porn and "objectionable" websites.

Johnson is quoted as saying, "We do all of it. And then it sends a report to your accountability partner. So my accountability partner right now is Jack, my son… He's 17. So he and I get a report of all the things that are on our phones, all of our devices, once a week. If anything objectionable comes up, your accountability partner gets an immediate notice. I'm proud to tell ya, my son has got a clean slate."

Social media has certainly exploded with criticism of Johnson and his son for wanting to be pure before God. 

Newsweek notes, "Johnson, an evangelical Christian, has come under scrutiny since being elected to the speakership in October...Critics have pointed to Johnson's far-right conservative views, and called him an "extremist" on issues including LGBTQ+ rights and women's rights. He has also faced accusations of having strong ties to Christian nationalism."

But, not only is Covenant Eyes coming under fire, with some on social media even saying that the software presents a "national security risk," but Mike Johnson's "covenant marriage" seems problematic to some.  The Washington Stand says:

He’s been called a “sinister creep,” “MAGA toxicity at its worst,” a “religious fanatic,” which was tame considering that Bill Maher compared him to the Maine shooter that same segment. “And, you know, we don’t know much about the guy [Robert Card] yet, but apparently, he heard voices, and I thought: ‘Is he that different than Mike Johnson?’”

One of the most fascinating attacks on Johnson is the media’s obsession with his covenant marriage to his wife of 25 years, Kelly. To hear some tell it, it’s a cruel idea that “harms women” and “keeps them locked inside their own houses.”

That’s laughable to the policy’s creator, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, who authored the law that Mike and thousands of other couples across three states have embraced since the late 1990s. The whole point, Tony explained to Breitbart, was to help break the cycle of divorce. “It was to strengthen and promote the institution of marriage by recognizing its importance to society. As government budgets have become bloated by the effort to address the cultural pathologies created by the demise of marriage, covenant marriage was an effort to go to the source of the problem.”

And, so much for the policy of leaving a lawmaker's family alone.  There has been criticism of his wife, Kelly, who is a Christian counselor.  Insider notes:

Kelly Johnson's website listed a specialty in Temperament counseling, a specialty that she received training for from an organization founded in the 1980s by a Christian couple. According to the materials the organization provides, the National Christian Counselor's Association is adamant that its offerings take place outside of more traditional state-licensed settings so that counselors and clients can be fully engaged through their faith.

"The state licensed professional counselor in certain states is forbidden to pray, read or refer to the Holy Scriptures, counsel against things such as homosexuality, abortion, etc," a catalog of the organization's offerings states. "Initiating such counsel could be considered unethical by the state."

Remember Robert Downen, who "broke" the story about sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention at the Houston Chronicle?  The one who seems to have been a reliable mouthpiece for those who would want to promote a narrative to divide the Convention?  Well, he is apparently concerned about the relationship of Johnson to a noted Christian historian, and wrote about it at the Texas Tribune.  He states:

Johnson recently spoke at an event hosted by Barton’s nonprofit, WallBuilders; he’s praised Barton and his “profound influence on me, and my work, and my life and everything I do”; and, before his career as a lawmaker, Johnson worked for Alliance Defending Freedom — a legal advocacy group that has helped infuse more Christianity into public schools and government, a key goal of Barton’s movement.

Barton, who lives in Aledo, has been a staple of Texas’ own Christian conservative movement, offering crucial public support to politicians and frequently being cited or called on to testify in favor of bills that critics say would erode church-state separations — including in front of the Texas Legislature this year.

Johnson’s election — and his proximity to Barton — is a massive victory for a growing Christian nationalist movement that claims the United States’ foundation was ordained by God, and therefore its laws and institutions should favor their brand of Christianity.

“Johnson's rise means that Barton and his fellow Christian nationalists now have unprecedented access to the levers of power on the national stage, paralleling the access they already have here in Texas and some other states,” said David Brockman, a non-resident scholar in religion and public policy at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy. 

There it is: the big "CN!"  Christian nationalist - the label that is slapped on Christians who want to impact the culture by applying their faith principles in the arena of government.  You know, people just love to have their government influenced by a variety of non-religious organizations that represent values that are contrary to Scripture, but allow a Christian who actually "walks the talk" and wants to influence the culture for good by endorsing Christian principles and it's "Christian nationalism," a term that has been weaponized against certain people of faith. 

Johnson, for his part, seems to be exhibiting grace under pressure.  He is quoted in this part of an article that ran at FoxNews.com:

"Look, there are entire industries that are built to take down public leaders – effective political leaders like me. I’m not surprised by that. I mean, it comes with the territory. It doesn’t bother me at all," Johnson responded.

"I just wish they would get to know me," he continued, adding, "I’m not trying to establish Christianity as the national religion or something. That’s not what this is about at all."

He then discussed how the Bible commands to show peace and love toward all people.

"If you truly believe in the Bible’s commands, and you seek to follow those, it’s impossible to be a hateful person because the greatest command in the Bible is that you love God with everything you had, and you love your neighbor as yourself," he said.

The Washington Stand records the response of David Closson of Family Research Council, commenting on one of Johnson's colleagues taking offense that Johnson said that "God is the one that raises up those in authority:"

“This is just basic Christian belief coming right out of the Bible,” responded David Closson, director of Family Research Council’s Center for Biblical Worldview, “that God is the one that ordains authority. God is the one that gives delegated authority to human beings to wield it on his behalf.” He appealed to Daniel 2:21, “he removes kings and sets up kings,” and Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.”

For all intents and purposes, it seems that Mike Johnson is a Christian believer who lives out his faith - not in arrogance nor for political gamesmanship, but because he believes that God has placed him in this position to use him for His - God's - glory.   So, how are we allowing God to use us in the position in which we are placed?

It is astonishing the extent to which media outlets and social media devotees are committed to destroying someone who appears to be an exemplary public servant.  And, as Johnson pointed out, there are  "entire industries that are built to take down public leaders."  I think this really shows the extent to which Christians are branded as enemies in our current culture.  We can be resolute in walking in the ways of the Lord, no matter what the consequences.  Our job is not to please people, but to please the Lord - and in the act of pleasing Him, there will be those who are drawn to our Savior through our faithfulness.  Jesus attracted crowds, but some in the crowd were devoted to bringing Him down. We have to make sure we are doing what we do in the right way for the right reasons.

Where is God in the Middle East?

In Matthew chapter 24, Jesus laid out what would be in store for the earth in the days prior to His coming. We are literally seeing these events come to pass. We can read these words in that chapter:
6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

He refers to other events that will occur, and later states:
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

This passage communicates a sense of urgency - when there is great trouble on the earth, it is important that we regard these events as signs from God and reminders that the "end" is coming, that the second Advent of Jesus will occur.  So, we can make certain that we are ready, and consider how we can make sure that others are ready, as well.  If we truly believe that the days are short, that should determine how we live our lives.

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The modern-day re-establishment of the nation of Israel is a critical event on the prophetic timetable. In Ezekiel 36, we can find this promise from the Lord:
22 “Therefore say to the Israelites, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone.
23 I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.
24 “ ‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land.

Two chapters later, we find the unfolding of a massive attack on Israel that will be carried out by some familiar players in and adjacent to the region, and the protecting of the Israeli people by God Himself.

One could look at the Israel-Hamas conflict and ask, "where is God?"  Well, on the macro level, it is clearly a battle between good and evil - think about the atrocities that were committed by Hamas on Israeli people, and this terror group has yet to release hostages.  Israel's forceful, yet imperfect, response is an attempt to protect its people long-term against people in the Middle East who desire to see their extermination.  

And, as it's been said time and again, the establishment of a nation of Israel in 1948 was a miraculous occurrence and a pivotal fulfillment of Bible prophecy.  In order for Bible prophecy to come to pass, Israel has to be in the geographical area in the vicinity of what was promised to Abraham.  Last-days events surrounding Israel pave the way for the return of our Lord and remind us that the days are short.

But, there's something else to keep in mind - even in the midst of turbulent times, God is working to turn hearts to our Savior.  Tom Doyle has worked for years in the Middle East in the arena of missions, and a Mission Network News article stated:

Uncharted Ministries’ Tom Doyle says today Christians in the region may be at risk as a result of anti-Jewish sentiment.

Groups and individuals that carry animosity toward Jews often hate believers, too, he explains. “With terrorist groups like Hamas, there are two targets. It’s Jews and then Christians,” Doyle says.

“Even in [the] mantra that they shout out, they’re talking about eradicating the Jews, and they’re angry at Christians, too.”

Antisemitism rose globally as the Israel-Hamas war raged in October.

Antisemitic incidents in the United Kingdom surged 300 percent during the first four days of the conflict. Dozens of anti-Jewish rioters stormed a Russian airport. The U.S. Anti-Defamation League reported 312 antisemitic incidents in two weeks.

“Once that evil is stirred up, it just seems to spread,” Doyle says.

Doyle is quoted as saying: "It’s not just a conflict over land. It’s a spiritual war raging in the heavens that’s much bigger than the nation of Israel and the Muslim countries..." He related the story of a Palestinian man who had given his life to Jesus; the article says that he "used to wear a permanent scowl, and his words were full of poison. Then, he heard the Gospel and accepted Jesus. Today, Amir radiates the joy and peace of Christ." Doyle says, "One of the things that happened was he didn’t hate Jews or Israel anymore. As he read the New Testament, where [Christians are] called to love our enemies," the man, who has a "Muslim background," "realized he had always hated them (Jews.) He laid that down [and prayed,] ‘God, forgive me, I don’t want to hate anyone!’”

This can be a reminder of how the love of Christ can be a healing agent in an explosive situation. In another MNN article, Doyle states: “We’re seeing text messages going back and forth; Palestinian and Jewish believers are coming together and supporting each other, which is a beautiful thing – to see the body of Christ operating that way,” adding, “The news, politics, everything would divide, but the love of Christ unites.” He is quoted as saying, "God’s heart is big enough to love Jews and Arabs. As the church, we want to bring the love of Christ into this situation and help them both.”

In the first article I mentioned, which is the more recent one, the headline said that Doyle "parallels antisemitism and persecution."  On this day following the International Day of Prayer for the persecuted, we recognize that there is a hatred of Christians that is directly related to their support for the Jews.  We have spotlighted Christians who convert from Islam who are in a precarious situation. Some Christians of a Muslim background worship and serve Jesus underground because of stiff penalties, even death, that are threats to them.   

The Uncharted Ministries website says:

Please pray for Israel as they live in a region packed with terrorism as they are fighting back.

Please pray for Gaza Palestinians who want nothing to do with Hamas. They are caught in the middle of the war and Hamas is now preventing them from leaving to flee for safety to Egypt.

There are believers on both sides, so let’s pray for our brothers and sisters in Israel and in Gaza.

As the late Jimmy DeYoung taught, there is certainly a plan for Israel, as well as a negative plan for the Palestinian people, the descendants of Esau.  But, even those who are, as a people group, under the judgment of God, the love and power of Christ can set individual people free through Jesus, such as the man I referred to earlier.   For, all of us are destined for judgment, but thankfully, the mercy of God has been made available to us. No matter what the religious or ethnic background, all can come into a relationship with Him through believing on Jesus, His Son.  We can continue to pray concerning this deeply spiritual situation in the Middle East.  

Committed to a Cause

We have been appointed by God to be His representatives, and we can choose to be involved in activities and causes that are consistent with His heart. Colossians chapter 3 states:
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

So, we have a filter through which we can evaluate what we do - we are directed to act in accordance with His will, to act "in His name."  So, what does that mean?  I think that implies right action that flows out of right action. We can devote ourselves to His cause overall and to specific causes that reflect our devotion to Him. And, we can make sure our motives are right, acting with joyful hearts and desiring to please our Heavenly Father.

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We are called to obey out of our love for God and love for other people, embracing joyfully the direction of the Lord upon our lives. 1st Corinthians 13 provides some reflection:
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Congratulations to the Texas Rangers, the new champions of Major League Baseball, having defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks four games to one in this year's World Series.

And, off the field, competitors Chris Stratton, who is a relief pitcher for the Rangers, and Pavin Smith, who plays in the outfield for Arizona, have teamed up with a Christian organization to try to win victory over infant mortality, in partnership with Compassion International.  Its website notes that:

Stratton and Smith have come together as teammates for an important common cause, “The Fight for First.”

It’s a tragic reality that thousands of babies around the world won’t make it to their first birthday. Every year, 2.6 million babies in poverty don’t survive their first 28 days, and most die within the first week of life due to pre-term birth or delivery complications. In many regions in the developing world, mothers also face severe and life-threatening conditions. Approximately 830 women die each day from pregnancy or childbirth complications.

The Fight for First is involved in bringing awareness to this worldwide issue and resources for some 500 centers to assist these newborn children to live through their first year. 

Stratton says, “’The Fight for First’ is helping pregnant moms not only safely deliver their children, but get those children to their first birthdays,” adding, “As a father of young children myself, I have seen how babies are incredibly vulnerable when they are born. If we can get these children through their first year, the odds of their survival increase dramatically.” So far, over 150 centers have received the needed funds.  

Stratton is the "team lead" for the effort, and in an interview with MLB.com, recounted some aspects of his fatherhood journey:

When my son was born, it was a life-changing kind of deal. I didn’t really know what to expect. I knew I’d love him, but I didn’t know I’d love him that much. You almost feel like you don’t have any more love for anybody else besides your wife and your son -- and then you have two more kids.

When me and my wife first tried to have kids, it took us a little bit to have one. We considered adoption. We’ve always wanted to be parents, and it’s truly one of the best things.

In fact, he and his wife were ready to fill out the adoption papers when it was discovered that his wife was pregnant.  Chris Stratton says:

I’m a Christian, and I believe God does things for certain reasons. Certain situations happen in life, and you see how you respond to them. I think that we were faithful in pursuing the adoption process. I think that if it’s adoption later on in life, I think that’s something that me and my wife can really see ourselves doing.

Smith is a former first-round draft pick for the D-Backs, and made news in 2017 when he did something quite unusual.  The Arizona Republic reported that Smith...

...used a portion of his $5 million signing bonus to pay off his parents’ mortgage as well as the home equity loan they’d taken out. Nearly a year later, the video of Smith presenting his parents with the gift still warms the heart – and the memory of it still brings Pam to the verge of tears.

Smith was featured, along with former University of Virginia teammate Adam Haseley, in a Sports Spectrum article, in which he is quoted as saying: “I continue to thank him for the blessings,” adding, “Every time I hit a home run, I point to the sky. Just try to give the glory back to him.”

It is inspiring to see athletes devote themselves to causes which glorify the Lord and help other people. We can consider how God would use us to bring attention to His name as we love others unselfishly. In an age of self-glorification, we can make it our goal to draw a contrast and show that we love Him above everything else.  

Because when it comes right down to it, it's all about our obedience.  And, we obey God out of great love for Him, with grateful hearts for what He has done for us. We can waste time pursuing so-called "causes" that don't reflect Christ.  Or we can be good stewards of the time God has given to us and make sure that we are walking in a way that pleases Him. 

Keeping Up

Our Heavenly Father showed mercy to us when He sent His only Son into the world, to die a cruel and brutal death, enduring punishment so we would be spared punishment for our sins. We can find the words of Jesus in Luke chapter 6:
36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
37 "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

We demonstrate God's mercy by caring for others in the name of Jesus.  We can take what we have been given, what has been entrusted to us by God, and use it in a manner that brings honor to His name. In good economic times or bad, we can recognize that God's principles are sure and consistent - we are to be unselfish with our financial resources; not to give in order to be blessed, but to realize that God blesses obedience and that includes being good stewards of our material possessions.

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God gave His only son as a gift to the world, who came to bring us salvation. Out of our appreciation to Him and because of the presence of the Holy Spirit in us, we can have a charitable spirit. 2nd Corinthians 9 addresses that, when it says:
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

The Bible speaks clearly to financial principles and there are some universal truths that we can find, beginning with our overall attitude toward our possessions: we regard them as God's possessions first. Then, we can rely on Him to determine how we are to use those.  The Bible speaks of the tithe and of the firstfruits, which show us that we are to be so unselfish with those resources that He has given to us that we are to give back to Him what He already owns - first.

So, even in tough economic times, it is important that we are continuing to maintain our charitable spirit, because the funding of the work of the Church and the work of missions organizations are dependent on the obedience of God's people in the arena of finances.

A new Lifeway Research survey shows that churches are being impacted financially, and that the trend has plateaued over the past couple of years.  According to a survey summary on the organization's website:

A Lifeway Research study of U.S. Protestant pastors found 50% say the current economy is negatively impacting their churches. Meanwhile, 40% say the economic circumstances aren’t having an effect. Fewer than 1 in 10 (8%) say the current economy is a positive factor for their churches.

The summary offers a closer look:

After last year’s decline in economic optimism, today, pastors have similar perceptions of the economy’s impact as in 2022. Last year was the first time since 2016 that more than half of pastors felt the economy was negatively impacting their churches and the first time since 2012 fewer than 10% of pastors expressed belief the economy was positively impacting their churches.

While the summary states that, "churches have maintained stable levels of giving," it notes that those levels are running behind the inflation rate. The summary says:

Around 7 in 10 U.S. Protestant pastors say since the beginning of 2023, giving at their church is at or exceeding budget, with 46% saying giving has been about what was budgeted and 22% saying it’s higher. Three in 10 (30%) say giving is below their 2023 budget.

But, all in all, "When the income experiences of churches are combined, the average church saw an increase of 0.79% in offerings from 2022 to 2023." That does indicate that there is stability there, but, as Lifeway Research Executive Director Scott McConnell notes: “Most churches are not seeing growth in offerings that keep pace with inflation (currently at 3.7% annually according to the Consumer Price Index CPI-U). So, many churches are still cutting spending and giving raises that are smaller than their pastors and staff need.”

And, smaller churches are seemingly bearing the brunt of the overall economic conditions, with "pastors of churches with attendance less than 50 and 50-99 are among the most likely to say offerings have been lower than budgeted this year...and below 2022’s offerings."

This economic news actually points to a mixed blessing - levels of giving to churches has not taken much of a downturn, overall, but when you factor in inflation, those levels are not keeping up with that inflation rate.  Perhaps that means that household expenses are affecting how people support the church - and I would extend that to ministry organizations.  

I think that the Bible teaches and financial experts would perhaps agree that rather than giving our leftovers to the Lord, we are to be giving our firstfruits to Him.  I believe that if we are obedient in giving to Him, then He will bless our financial resources overall, which means that we are placing ourselves in a position in which incredible, supernatural things will happen in our financial lives.  

We can make sure that we are developing a charitable spirit and looking for ways that we can not only serve the local church through our tithes but also to be yielded to the spirit in the use of offerings to bless others.   Our attitude toward our money and our possessions should not be selfish, but focused on doing the will of God with what He has given to us.  I think that tough economic times indicate that there may be a spike in the number of opportunities to sow into the lives of those who are suffering financially. 

And, a note:  Faith Radio is a listener-supported ministry. We depend on God to provide for the financial needs of this ministry, no matter what the financial conditions of our economy.  So, we encourage you to pray and be obedient as He leads.  For almost 40 years, the Lord has been faithful to sustain the ministry of Faith Radio, and we are grateful to Him and for the generosity of our listeners.  So, as we approach year's end, would you please prayerfully consider a much-needed gift in order that God might be glorified as we communicate the message of His truth?  Thank you for listening.  Thank you for praying.  And, thank you for giving!

Not Settled

There is a consistent struggle in the Christian life - to glorify self or to glorify God; to follow our selfish desires or pursue the desire to please God. In Matthew 16, Jesus teaches:
24 ..."If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 

I've thought that was an interesting analogy Jesus used here, when He talks about taking up the cross - after all, that would be the form of death that He would endure.  So, we reflect on what occurred there: the Son of God laid down His life to pay the price for our sins.  Paul tells us we have been crucified with Christ.  So, each day, we are to identify with what Jesus did for us, get our eyes off ourselves and to, as Hebrews says, fix our eyes on Jesus - in Him, we can know peace and satisfaction.

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We are not called to be self-centered, but to have our lives centered on the One who came to bring us salvation, to give us a new heart and new desires consistent with that new life. 2nd Corinthians 5 states:
14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

It seems like a young lady in her 20's would have better things to do than take provocative videos of herself and post them on Tik Tok, but that's what has happened and has set off a trend.  An article at The Federalist states:

All over TikTok, young women are taking videos of themselves in .5 zoom suggestively dancing in various public places, particularly public transit.

The trend was kicked off by 22-year-old TikToker Sabrina Bahsoon, who recorded herself dancing in the London Underground, known colloquially as the tube. Participants in the trend began using the hashtag “tubegirl,” which currently has over 1.2 billion views on TikTok.

So, Bahsoon has apparently drawn rave reviews from some media outlets, as the article notes, such as...

...ABC praising Bahsoon for taking “confidence to the next level” and The Daily Mail reporting that she’s “empowering Gen-Zers to ‘overcome social anxiety.’”

The article adds:

She describes the “movement” she’s created as an exercise in “confidence.”

And, now New York has its own self-proclaimed "tube girl," Lohanny Santos.

But, the writer of the Federalist piece, Evita Duffy-Alfonso, who is the daughter of Fox News personalities Sean and Rachel Campos Duffy, says that there are better things to do:

Either everyone participating in the tube girl trend has had their sense of propriety and self-awareness completely broken by the internet, or they do feel awkward dancing in crowded public spaces with no music.

If they do feel embarrassment, why do it? There are plenty of causes in the world for young people to stand up for and bravely deviate from the crowd. Christians are called to do this every day. The tube girl trend isn’t about courage, though.

Her conclusion:

Participants are making themselves look foolish and the people around them feel uncomfortable for views, likes, and shares on TikTok. The only “cause” the tube girl trend promotes is self-obsession. TikTokers are engaging in it “for the gram” or for “clout.” In other words, they are sacrificing their dignity in the physical world for validation in the digital world.

Duffy-Alfonso contrasts how her parents, when they were in school, met at a particular "spot" to "socialize," with how "millennials grew up using apps and text messaging to plan events and hang-outs."  And now, with Gen Z:

Apps aren’t used to coordinate social interactions — they are the social interactions. Zoomers are reportedly glued to their screens for an average of over 7 hours a day. For young people who spend exorbitant amounts of their waking hours online, it’s only natural that their internet personas would matter more than their real-world identities. This is why swaths of young women are willing to look silly in public in order to look sexy and carefree on TikTok.

And, the consequences? She reports that, "Gen Z is the most mentally ill generation to date," adding:

It’s ironic that such disturbing rates of suicide, depression, and anxiety are coming from the generation superfixed on “self-care” and “self-confidence.”

Duffy-Alfonso referenced an Insider article that says: "The suicide rate among people aged 10 to 24 increased 56% between 2007 and 2017, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

The article notes:

In 2017, 13% of teens reported having experienced at least one major depressive episode in the past year, Pew Research Center reported. In 2007, when more millennials were teens, that number was just 8%.

Social media might be fueling the increase in mental illness, as Gen Z is the first truly digital generation. Pew Research Center found 45% of teens aged 13 to 17 said they use the internet "almost constantly." Over-use of social media can cause loneliness, depression, and anxiety, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America reported.

There is certainly a spiritual component.  We are not called to this type of self-obsession, and it has real-world consequences.  As the Federalist writer notes: 

St. Thomas Aquinas once wrote, “Happiness is secured through virtue; it is a good attained by man’s own will.” Unfortunately, Gen Z is the most irreligious generation to date, and therefore, unlike previous generations, does not have the same spiritual foundation guiding them to live virtuous lives. Couple that with the rise of the digital world and our culture’s active rejection of morality, and you end up with the least happy generation in modern memory.

John Stonestreet and Shane Morris write for Breakpoint:

Saint Augustine famously observed that the human heart is restless until its rest is found in God. That applies not only to individuals but also to cultures and entire generations. Practically speaking, this “restlessness” can take many forms, including an unprecedented mental health crisis.

They go on to say, regarding St. Augustine:

Despite his lack of familiarity with Gen Z, he would speak of their “restless hearts” seeking in politics, gender identity, and self-expression what can only be found in a relationship with our Maker.

But, again, there is hope through the gospel; Stonestreet and Morris continue: 

In the face of Gen Z’s mental health crisis, it is the Gospel and not gloom that should motivate and inform us. As blogger and author Samuel James pointed out on Twitter, mentally broken young people may be primed to hear the truth: “Evangelicals need to disabuse themselves of the idea that Gen-Z is a wholly unreachable mass of buffered selves. The mental health crisis may cut right through secularization like butter.”

God has made us for Himself. The kind of postmodern individualism that Gen Z was raised with will never deliver on its promises. This mental health crisis is a spiritual crisis. We have the opportunity to introduce a generation of restless hearts to the One able to deliver on His promises to bring rest to their souls.

We hear it time and again - social media is a harmful force in general, and especially in the lives of young people.  Now, with the ability to "interact" virtually and express themselves in an online setting, the lines between reality and fantasy can sometimes become blurred. How do you explain a person going into a public place and dancing around provocatively, with music only heard through the "performer"'s headphones?   

The glorification of self is repeatedly warned against in the Bible - our "audience," ultimately, is, as Big Daddy Weave sang years ago, an "Audience of One."  What we do is to please Him.  Certainly, we are to enjoy our lives as we follow the Lord, and He can give us incredible joy beyond what we can imagine.  But, we have to regard Him as our source of satisfaction.