Active Application of AGAPE to Annihilate Apathy

Take a look at the front driver door of this Mitsubishi.  It has words that are derived from I Corinthians 13, the passage in the Bible known around the world as the "LOVE Chapter".

Describing LOVE, the sticker says---
"Is not easily angered, ALWAYS protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres: LOVE Never FAILS."

This is evidently a car of those who are willing to profess Christ out in public, to let it be known that they are Christians.  I think that having bumper stickers on one's vehicle, etc., with Scripture, and messages that represent our Lord, the Gospel, and righteousness is a good way to provoke thought in passersby, start conversations, and spread truth.  It is part of being a testimony for Christ wherever you go.  I personally make it a practice to have Christ-honoring messages on my car, and have many brothers and sisters in Christ who do the same.    

Now, you may ask, "Why is Kevan showing us this picture?  We've all seen similar stickers and know their purpose.  What is the point or the problem?"

HERE'S THE PROBLEM...That picture was taken as the family in that car drove into an abortion mill in order to have one of their children ABORTED.  BUTCHERED.  MURDERED.

[It happened in Nashville a week ago, on Saturday, February the 6th, 2016.  The photo was taken by a grieved abolitionist who was there to represent Christ at the gates of death.]

Think of it, a car with words from the Love Chapter went to a child sacrifice center to do the exact OPPOSITE of what LOVE is to their child!

(Sadly this is NOT a rare occurrence.  I have myself seen cars with fish symbols and Christian logos entering these places to murder the innocent.  Dear friends of ours have seen cars with bumper stickers representing local churches down the street, driven by those claiming to be Christians.  We have heard people say, "I will be in church tomorrow!"  More professing evangelicals will go to these baby butcheries as customers this week than as representatives of Christ for those made in His image!)

Please mourn with us over this murder, over the abominations of our people.
Pray for God to bring that family to repentance.
Pray for all professing Christians who participate in or are apathetic to the slaughter of their preborn neighbour.

Christians may be troubled at hearing this, but feel helpless.  But what can we do?  We can do what is right.

What is really needed is for the church of Jesus Christ to awaken from the slumber of ease and compromise, repent, arise, and be present at the gates of death. We are ambassadors for Christ, are we not?   SO, let us be "speaking the truth in LOVE" as He commanded, loving as He loved, demonstrating that LOVE in embracing the "least of these".

The LOVE that is found in I Corinthians 13 is CHARITY (agape LOVE).  We find it described in the passage.  Let us take just a portion!

I Corinthians 13:4-8
4 "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,"
5 "Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;"
6 "Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 "Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."
8 "Charity never faileth..."

Here is the incredible description of Agape love, selfless intentional love, which gives to others needs without motive of personal reward.  The Bible in this passage (as in some others) uses the English word charity, which denotes giving, not in a weak, insipid way (that it may be thought of today, as many words have become shallow in our understanding), but the TRUE meaning of CHARITY.

The Latin root of the word carries the meaning of giving something "dear, costly, and beloved".  The Greek word charis is the word often translated grace in the Bible, giving with kindness to need.  This CHARITY love is not merely a feeling, but an action!  It is the lovingkindness extended to another.  This CHARITY is the love of heroes, who will put aside their own agendas, their own comforts, even their own lives, to take the hit for someone else, to rescue the weak and poor in their distress.  This is compassion with clout.  This actually makes a difference.

This love is the love which God so loved us with, that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16).  
It is the love wherewith Jesus Christ loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood (Revelation 1:5).
It is the love that a husband is to demonstrate toward his wife, in giving up himself for her (Ephesians 5:25).
It is the love with which we are to love both our God (in response to His great love for us) and our neighbour (Mark 12:30-31; I John 4:19).

Notice the denial of selfishness in the passage: CHARITY does NOT envy, does does NOT "vaunt (boast) itself" or get "puffed up".  It does NOT allow itself to behave "unseemly" or be "easily provoked", but is humbly harnessed to the task.  NOR does it think evil.  CHARITY "seeketh NOT her own".  Love is not demanding or following "my own way", but holding onto that which is right and true for all.  Another word for selfishness, or going my own way is "iniquity".  See that love "Rejoiceth NOT in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth".  

I fear that one reason that most Christians are not showing this powerful love to the unborn in distress by confronting the culture of child sacrifice with the Gospel, and standing at the gates of death to deliver the weak with our mouths (Proverbs 12:6; 31:8-9), is because we are allowing our own selfishness (iniquity) to abound in our own lives.

The Scripture says, "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matthew 24:12).  Thus, our compassion in action to the littlest among us grows shallow and cold.  Oh, we care (at some level), but we don't charis.  We don't stop, and stoop over, and weep, and lose sleep at night in begging God to use us the next day outside Planned Parenthood to rescue lives and souls.  Our love (as the church) for the poorest, most needy, and most vulnerable people has grown cold.  And millions and millions of little ones have been slaughtered as a consequence.  Chilling, isn't it? 

It is called APATHY.  DEPRAVED INDIFFERENCE.  Because we have our own plans for the day, our own cares, that don't include the inconvenience of pleading for our neighbour who is getting murdered down the street.  Being Apathetic is PATHETIC.  

The question is: Will we remain in our selfishness?  Or will we turn from it, and say, "Down Self, Christ is my King!"  Will we cast off our Cowardice?  Our Callousness?  Our Comfortlovingness?  To do what?  To take up the burden for the little ones!  To do as Job, and search out the cause we know not, to rescue the innocent from the jaws of the wicked!  To open our mouths in this generation, and speak for those who have no voice!  To bring the truth of Life and the Gospel with the Clout of CHARITY!  As the church of Jesus Christ, we must repent of loving our own ways, our own building projects, and our own pet peeves over the needs of others.  We must rise and engage for the abolition of this great evil!  This abomination, which is a bomb in our nation, bringing destruction and the judgment of God!

Let us NOT condone this evil by our silence!
Let us be shaken and awakened and go to the battle with the Gospel on our lips!
Let us forsake the slack hand of laziness and be diligent with all our might!

LET US PUT APATHY TO DEATH!

Consider two more characteristics of CHARITY: "Charity suffereth long, and is kind"

What is "SUFFERING LONG"?  To patiently bear a burden for a long time; to persevere in the face of offense and insult for the sake of another or a righteous cause.  To incorrigibly endure till the task is completed.

Suffer long?  That is not quite the description of the aspiration of the American church at large today (I must admit, it's not my greatest aspiration either).  We naturally want to avoid suffering, to get fast food, short checkout lines, easy living, comfortable situations, quick fixes, and answers to prayer right away.  Patience for us is often waiting without complaining for the popcorn to finish in the microwave.

Let us CHOOSE to "suffer long", to TAKE TIME to go to the child sacrifice center, to see the need ourselves.  To INTENTIONALLY do what may be INCONVENIENT, to hold out our hands to offer help and hope as our neighbours are being carried away to slaughter, even when it is cold outside or hot outside, even when those we call to choose to ignore, curse, or mock us.  Why should we not learn to be longsuffering, seeing that God is longsuffering (Isaiah 65:2; II Peter 3:9), and calls us to be as well (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 1:11; 3:12; II Timothy 4:2).  Let us choose to spend and be spent, showing this LOVE, as Paul did, no matter the response: "And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved" (II Corinthians 12:15).

What about the other characteristic of CHARITY love?

"and is KIND"  What does it mean to be kind?  To put others before oneself; disposed to do good to others, supply needs, and assist in distresses; to see and act.  It was first used in this way during the age of chivalry (circa AD1300), and conveyed the idea of being courteous, doing noble deeds, righting wrong, and aid those in danger.  The word kind is connected to the word kindred, as in family, giving the concept of treating someone, even the stranger beaten on the road and left for dead, "like family."  Being kind is not minding your own business.

How would you pray and plead for the unborn child if he or she were YOUR own flesh and blood? Would you stand idly by if someone was going to kill YOUR child under protection of the "law"?  Or would you plead for their lives as if your own life depended on it?

O, LORD!  Let us not slumber while the weak are destroyed!  Let us not fail to visit the fatherless in their affliction!  Let us not remain apathetic!  Let us win battles for You before the sun goes down on this generation!

Rather than merely having the words of Charity on our cars and in our mouths while we continue our own selfish ways, let us show the world true CHARITY in our lives, by engaging our culture in society and on site for the sake of Jesus Christ and those who bear His image, till human abortion is abolished.

CHARITY "Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

"CHARITY never faileth"

Abortion must be abolished.

O Earth, Earth, Earth, Hear the Word of the LORD!

How did you spend your Earth Day?  

I spent the morning standing and preaching publicly against pollution.  WHAT POLLUTION?  One of the worst kinds.  The shedding of the blood of the innocent.

God talks about blood pollution:
 "And shed INNOCENT BLOOD, even the BLOOD of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and THE LAND WAS POLLUTED WITH BLOOD" (Psalm 106:38).

 "Wherefore I poured my fury upon them FOR THE BLOOD that they had shed upon the land, and for their idols wherewith they HAD POLLUTED IT:" (Ezekiel 36:18).

 "Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is POLLUTED WITH BLOOD" (Hosea 6:8).

I was standing at the edge of the property of Planned Parenthood, the site where people sacrifice their sons and their daughters to the god of Self.  

SO there I was on Earth Day, that some parent may not deprive their preborn child of a Birthday.

It was an honour to stand at the gates of death, and use Earth Day as a springboard to speak on behalf of the Maker of Heaven and Earth.  There were so many verses to use.  Here are a few:

To call aloud, "O Earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD!" (Jeremiah 22:29).  

To make it clear that "The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein" (Psalm 24:1).  

That "shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Genesis 18:25).  

That He "hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness..." (Acts 17:31).  

That "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

"...That the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world" (1 John 4:14). 

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief" (1 Timothy 1:15).

"For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.
The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker" (Psalm 95:3-6).

There were a good number of hymns to sing at the mill this morning too.  Here's a favorite verse:

"This is my Father's world
Oh let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong 
Seems oft so strong
God is the Ruler yet

This is my Father's world
The battle is not done
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied
And earth and heaven be one."

The battle is NOT done.  There is STILL time to win a battle before the sun goes down.

Perhaps you are being moved by the Spirit to stand with me, and engage in the battle for lives and souls.  Let me know!  God's people are needed to line the sidewalks outside this mill and speak in the name of Jesus Christ, in the cause of the poor and needy, for the sake of the good of the very souls who pursue their children's demise!   

Sons of Amittai, Arise!

Jonah 1:1 "Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,"

This is how the great story of Jonah begins.  This is, very possibly, the most well known, most talked about, and most preached on book of minor prophecy.  There are so many truths, sermons, lessons, and insights that pour out of those four short chapters!  I personally love to study the life of Jonah, and teach others what I have learned.  However, in this post, I want to focus on four words which may be the most overlooked words in the whole book.  Which words?

"...the son of Amittai..."

Jonah was the son of Amittai.  Amittai was his dad.  The Hebrew name of Amittai carries much significance!  It literally means "veracious"!

Before we delve into the full definition let's look at another word: VORACIOUS!  This word has the Latin root, vorax, from voro, which means "to devour, to eat, to clear away, to consume, as food".  We find other English words with this same root, such as "herbivore", and "carnivore".  The picture given by the word VORACIOUS is to be given to EAT!  To be ravenous in appetite!  To be rapacious!  Very hungry!  Eager to devour!  Driven by hunger!  Ready to partake with a fierce desire!

Now just change one little letter, switch the first o for an e, and we have VERACIOUS.  This word comes from another Latin root, verax, from verus, which means "true".  The Latin motto Veritas vincit means "truth conquers".  Other English words that come from this root are "verification", "veracity", and "verily".  So to be VERACIOUS carries the idea of being given to TRUTH, to fix one's gaze on truth, to be disposed to speak truth, to be true, in VERY truth.  How I love language!

To be "given to truth"  is that of taking truth for one's personal life.  Amittai is derived from the Hebrew ameth, which means "stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness, establishment, faithful, right, and sure."  There is the picture of firmness, reliability, and continuance.  This word is used both for speaking the truth and being true.

Ameth in turn comes from the Hebrew root, aman, meaning "to render firm or faithful, stedfast, trusty, verified, to nurse and build up, to establish, to turn to the right, to support.  A number of Hebrew words are derived from this root, with varied meanings, include:
"believe; faithful, sure"
"right hand (as the firm, the strong)"
"cunning workman, in the sense of training, as an expert"
"verity; truth"
"surely; indeed"
"sure; truly; verily; so be it; truth"

The last of this list is the Hebrew form from which we get the blessed word that has come into common use by believers today, so much so that it is considered an English word and is spoken out in the midst of Bible preaching. "AMEN!"  It is found in our English Bible 78 times, in both Old and New Testaments.  We find that that one of the names of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega, the faithful and true Witness, the Lord of glory, is "the Amen" (Revelation 3:14).

Almost the only background we have of Jonah is His father's name.  And that name became Jonah's identity.  It was an honourable name.  A name that would have set him apart, and challenged him in his life and ministry.

Beloved brethren, let us consider Who our Father is.  Are we not, in very truth, also "sons of Amittai"?  Are we not to be known as children of Truth?  Have we not, through spiritual birth, become the sons of God (John 1:12; 3:3)?  How should that affect our words (Ephesians 4:25) and our walk (II John 4; III John 4)?

The natural out flowing of being sons of Amittai is to answer God's call to stand and speak His words to the lost in this world.

Jonah 1:2 "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me."
Jonah 3:2 "Arise, go unto Ninevah, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee."

ARISE, AND GO!  Go where?
To the wicked!  To those in danger of judgment!  Even to that which Satan considers HIS turf!

In this country, in our society, we find a culture that tolerates, condones, harbors, and promotes the horror of child sacrifice!  Over 3,000 babies a day are ripped apart in the name of the god of Self. This vile and violent practice is abominable to the LORD of Heaven, and yet nearly all those who are called Christians in this nation are completely silent concerning this evil and absent from the field of battle for life and souls.

"They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them" (Proverbs 28:4).

ARISE, AND SPEAK!  Speak what?
Speak the truth!  "Cry against it"  "Preach unto it"

We are to be those who "sigh and cry" concerning the abominations of our people!
We are to be those who stand for righteousness and against wickedness!
We are to lift our voices when "truth is fallen in the street"!
We are to warn the wicked of the judgment of God!
We are to preach the word!
We are to deliver those that are drawn unto death and those that are ready to be slain!
We are to open our mouths for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction!
We are to judge righteously!
We are to plead the cause of the poor and needy!
We are to call to repentance and declare the Gospel!

We are to be sons of Amittai!  Children who speak the truth.  Do we not desire that our Father could say this about us? "For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour" (Isaiah 63:8).

Did you know that God has said that the upright should use their mouths to deliver from those who lie in wait for blood?  "The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them" (Proverbs 12:6).

Those to whom we are sent may hate us.  In fact, it should be expected. "The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul" (Proverbs 29:10).  Notice that we are to seek souls.  

William Booth said, "Go straight for souls, and go for the worst."

This is also the call to every Christian, to every son of Amittai.

What will YOU do with it?  Will you go?  Will you speak? 

Or will you choose to go the other way?  To run from God's call?  To follow your own agenda?  

To be silent and absent?  

Have you been lolled to sleep in the ship of your own desires, in spiritual slumber, indifferent to the cry of the innocent and the lost and the call of your Father?    Are you interceding for this land of yours?  Standing in the gap between the judgment of God and the wicked (Ezekiel 22:30)?  Have you grown so comfortable, so calloused, so cowardly, that it is nothing to you, that the righteous wrath of God is upon this country, and yes, even upon the lazy, luxurious, lackadaisical church, who will not wear out their designer shoes standing at the devil's doorstep, because they are caught up in enjoying the devil's entertainment, and cannot be bothered with the inconvenience of the fellowship of their Lord's sufferings?    

If you are asleep, you need to hear the hard voice of reality, telling you, "What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not" (Jonah 1:6).

Let us arise, repent of our apathy, arrive to the battle field, and engage in the good fight!  

Let us behave in such a manner that those who see our lives and hear the words on our lips will seek to know, 

"Whose sons are you?"  

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). 

Abortion must be abolished.

Let Not Thy Zeal "Be as When a Standard-Bearer Fainteth"

Some years ago, around the 4th of July, my family and I were stopped at an traffic light in Kansas City, KS.  For those of you who know KCK (or care to know), it was the intersection of State Ave and 78th Street.  Some road work was being done in the area--there were cones about, temporary lines drawn for lanes, and asphalt dust scattered across the road.  As I waited for the green arrow to appear something caught my eye laying on the ground in the middle of the intersection.  There was a small, somewhat dingy cloth, lying crumpled on the pavement

Could it be a rag from construction worker?  Or an article of clothing that fell out of a passing vehicle?

An afternoon breeze moved the rather worn cloth, and I saw some faded color in a striped pattern.  "I think it is an American flag."  "It couldn't be."  She was incredulous, as cars and trucks went whizzing past almost running it over! Wind once again moved the cloth revealing a dirty blue field, with faint stars.  "It IS a flag!"  

I began to unbuckle just as the green arrow lit up, and I had to move our van.  I drove passed, careful not to run over the flag, and pulled into the nearest parking lot.  I leaped from the driver's seat and sprinted down to the corner.  I hesitated only a few seconds, then left the curb.  Into the flow of traffic I ventured, and made it to the end of the median.  There were some exasperated honks from drivers, from those I'm sure were wondering what the crazy pedestrian was doing.  

A big semi truck and trailer made its wide turn, which I avoided, and then dashed out into the intersection and plucked up the old flag.  For yes, it was a flag, which must have been torn from its basing on a motorcycle or other motorist, and left behind unnoticed.  Holding it with both hands, I returned to the curb.  I caught surprised looks from a few drivers, when they realized what I had gone to get, and at least one grandmotherly driver nodded in approval and waved her thanks.  I headed back to the van and my family.

Back in the driver's seat, I considered my prize.  From the flag's condition, it was immediately evident that it had lain in the road, at least all day, unbeknownst to the drivers who passed it by, or overran it with the tread of their tires.  

How sad, to think that this flag of our nation was lying in the dust for hours, while American citizens were oblivious to it!

Yet, how much more tragic is it to realize that our nation itself has sunk into the gutter, becoming corrupted by greed, pride, perversion, and the innocent blood of 55+ million babies, just like those in Israel, who "...shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters...and the land was polluted with blood" (Psalm 106:38).  We have, as a people, turned away from the true God "which hath made and preserved us a nation" (from the Star Spangled Banner, verse 4), and have cast His Law behind our back.

All this pride, perversion, and horrific blood shed, and yet, so many Christians--in so many local churches-- are just "driving by." They are busy about their own agendas, not heeding the cries of the lost!  Their apathy is astounding when we consider that the lost must hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the righteousness of the God of the Bible, in order to be saved.  

Are we not called to be "SALT"?  Are we not to let our "LIGHT so shine"?  Has not the Captain of our Salvation given orders to His people to stand for righteousness and truth in society?  As the hymn declares, are we not to "Work, For the Night is Coming"?  Do we hold God in so light esteem, that we think He will not judge wickedness?  Who are we to think that the United States is exempt from being brought fully to account before His seat?

"I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever."  Thomas Jefferson

"Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? 

He that planted the ear, shall he not hear?

He that formed the eye, shall he not see?

He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct?

He that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?" (Psalm 94:8-10).

Judah fell into sin, and God did not let her get away with it.  Even Jerusalem, the apple of His eye, was not spared.  When the weeping prophet, Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, wrote Lamentations, he cried, "Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?" (Lamentations 1:12).

Christians in America must consider this cry: 

"IS IT NOTHING TO YOU, ALL YE THAT PASS BY?"

Get your Bible out and study what it says about God's dealings with countries.  

"Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people" (Proverbs 14:34). 

Read the 80th Psalm, and consider the truths it holds concerning God's blessing and judgment on a nation.  Let us cry unto our God to "Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved" (Psalm 80:3 see also 80:7 and 80:19).  

Remember and heed God's voice: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will hear their land" (II Chronicles 7:14).

So I urge you, brethren, let NOT the bowstring of your prayer go slack!  Let not your zeal be as when a standard-bearer fainteth!  "Be not weary in well doing" (II Thessalonians 3:13)!  

Weep for your people.  Repent from your sin.  Pray for God to, "in wrath, remember mercy" (Habakkuk 3:2).  Stand and speak for the truth and life.  Be attentive to the Spirit's leading.  Stop to stoop down and plead the cause of the poor and needy.  Love your preborn neighbor with a zeal that refuses to be silent and absent in in the day of battle!  As the watchman in Ezekiel, warn the wicked to turn from His way to Jesus Christ. Preach the Gospel to a dying people.

I kept that flag, and have it still today, as a reminder to pray for my country, and of the need for righteous action for the kingdom of God.  I must not allow my zeal to start flagging.  

"Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people (in my case, America), and for the cities of our God (the kingdom of Heaven): and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight" (I Chronicles 19:13).

There is still time to win a battle before the sun goes down.

Abortion must be abolished.

It is the Same Sword

From a child, I have loved the stories of history.  What joy to read of noble men and women!  To hear rousing accounts of clashing battles!  To learn of significant points (both high and low) in the history of mankind and gain instruction from the past!  These have ever thrilled and challenged my adventurous heart.  O how I have longed to be where great things happened!  To walk and stand where heroes trod!  Even to view and touch articles that were used by those who went before me.

   

You can then understand my feelings as a child, when blessed at times to go and see places that I had read about.  I am so grateful that my parents took our family to places to see for ourselves.  What learning times I had! I recommend such trips for every family.  You don't always have to travel far.  Here are just a few of the places I was able to experience.

In Diamond, Missouri, at the George Washington Carver National Monument, I stood and saw the site of the cabin where he was born.  My brother, sister, cousin, and I walked, nay, ran down the trail to the spring (still flowing) where George fetched water as a boy.  I remember looking up at the life-size statue of the young "plant doctor," and wondered, "If I had lived back then, would he have wanted to be my friend?"

In St. Joseph, Missouri, my family and I went to see where Johnny Frye, the first Pony Express rider, set out west towards San Francisco.  Think of it—ten days to traverse plain, mountains, and desert!  Through weather, outlaws, and Indian attack those young wiry lads brought the mail with speed and devotion.  As a young boy, I stood at the Pony Express Stable museum and trembled deliciously to think, "It happened here."  Years later, as a man, I was in Wyoming and went out on some friends' ranch and saw where a Pony Express station once stood.  There I experienced the same shiver.  "How exciting to think, I got to see this!"  

I hiked the hill of the Little Bighorn region in Montana, and saw the place where General George Armstrong Custer and his men had their last stand.  I'd look at each marker, and wonder what each man thought as he tried to hold his ground.  And I'd try to picture Crazy Horse and his warriors, as they gained victory thinking about these mighty men on both sides, wishing I could have been able to sit with each and learn why they were fighting and that I would have had the opportunity to share the Gospel with them.

We toured Daniel Boone's last home in Defiance, Missouri.  How incredible to see the narrow windows crafted for defense, amazing furniture the great woodsman had fashioned with his own skillful hands, and even the threaded door hinges he designed to keep the wooden floors from getting scratched.  It was there I saw Ticklicker, Daniel's famous rifle, and I would have touched it too, but it was on the other side of the glass. 

I got to walk through Squire Boone's Caverns, and remembered how God had saved the life of Daniel's kid brother by having him fall into the cave while he was pursued by hostile natives.  The escapades of this Revolutionary War hero and the first Baptist preacher in Kentucky filled me with fervor.  God's providence and care was made very evident to me as I looked at the spot where he was delivered.  The words he carved on the stones of his mill nearby, still ring in my ears: "My God my life hath much befriended; I'll praise Him till my days are ended."

Whenever I see an historical marker, I want to stop and see what it says.  Even just this spring, My wife, daughter, and I stopped several times while driving through Kansas to see an old train station, stone arch bridge, church, and a one room schoolhouse from 1896.  The stone schoolhouse stood alone on one end of a pasture.  We pulled over, piled out, and looked in wonder.  You could see the bell still in the tower, two stone outhouses (presumably one for boys and one for girls), and the pump for the schoolyard well.  We imagined children walking up the lane to school, and wondered what became of them. Who taught in this place?  Who were the students?  Did a courageous student stand up to a bully in that yard?  What was accomplished in history because of truths taught?  What has been lost in education in the generations following?  How I wished to venture closer, to explore, to peek in the windows.  I would have paid for a tour, but alas, it was desolate, the only signs of life in the area a herd of cattle grazing a hundred yards off.  So we drove on.

For years I have picked up various items for my collection: 

—a Civil War bullet that was found on a battlefield (perhaps the Battle of Wilson's Creek)
—stone arrowheads and chippings left by native Americans in Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Wyoming

—a couple tin cans (used and discarded by pioneers) that I found along the Oregon Trail

—various articles, including instruments from a ship, salvaged on an historic beach in Two Harbors, Minnesota
—ancient pottery I dug out of the earth with my own hands in Israel

These and other objects are great tools for teaching lessons from the past, giving inspiration for the mind in our present day, and can stir up motivation to take up a challenge for the future.  Being able to see and even hold pieces of history can make events become more "real", assist us in understanding what others went through, and encourage us to live uprightly in our generation.

Our daughter, Tirzah Carmichael is named in honor of Amy Carmichael, the Irish missionary to India, who served faithfully for 55 years.  Amy's life, ministry, and writings have been a blessing to multitudes and a testimony to the grace and power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let's consider her words in one instance...

"Someone gave me a bit of brick and a little slab of marble from Rome.  It was wonderful to touch one of them and think, Perhaps the apostle Paul or one of the martyrs touched this as they passed.  But how much more wonderful is it to think that we have, for our own use, the very same Sword our Lord used when the devil attacked Him...We have the same Book that He had, and we can do as He did.  So let us learn [His words] that they may be ready in our minds; ready for use at the moment of need - our Sword which never grows dull and rusty, but is always keen and bright.  So once more I say, let us not expect defeat, but victory.  Let us take fast hold and keep fast hold of our Sword, and we shall win in any assault of the enemy."

What delight we should take in the Scriptures!  Think of it—God inspired men to write His words down, and has preserved those words for us even today.  The very same "sword of the Spirit"!  The "quick and powerful"!  The trusty two-edged weapon!  The Book that declares "the end from the beginning"!  That reveals the truth of the God of the universe!  That can make a sinner "wise unto salvation", and can grow a believer to be "throughly furnished unto all good works"!  The same Book which was wielded by Jesus Christ, the apostles, the martyrs, missionaries such as Livingstone, Hudson, and Carmichael, and so many others, has been laid in your hand. 

Let us NOT lightly esteem it!
Let us NOT neglect the use of it!
Let us NOT despise the treasure which our Lord has entrusted with us!

"Let us take fast hold and keep fast hold of our Sword, and we shall win in any assault of the enemy."

There is still time to win a battle before the sun goes down.

"War a Good Warfare" in Witnessing!

There is a war going on.  A war for souls.  We who are saved are to be on active duty, witnessing to those still enslaved to sin and Satan that they might find freedom by the blood of our victorious Saviour! 

"And ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we are to be His witnesses.

Ananias gave the new believer, Saul of Tarsus, the following charge:
"For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard" (Acts 22:15).

However young or old we are in the faith, we are to be witnesses of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  Therefore, we must plan and prepare ourselves to be able to share what the Lord Jesus Christ has done to save souls!  Let us befit ourselves as good soldiers of Jesus Christ.  Let us have open communication with our Captain, pleading for the hearts of the lost and relying on the Spirit to convince men of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8).  Pray for boldness to speak as we ought to speak (Ephesians 6:18-20).     

1. Witness for Christ by giving your testimony—sharing personally how you were saved from the punishment of your sins.  In the New Testament, we find Paul repeatedly telling the amazing account of how he came to know the Lord (Acts 22, 24, 26, etc.).  

2. Take something with you to give them to read! The prophet Jeremiah asked, "What thing shall I take to witness for thee?" (Lamentations 2:13).  Give gospel tracts to people you meet (a clerk, a waiter, a passenger on a plane, a child in your neighborhood, etc) and leave them where they can be found by those you may never meet (a gas station, a public restroom, a book in the library, in a grocery store isle, etc).  Be creative.  Spend time praying for those who get the tracts and for those you shared with, that God will work in their hearts and that they will have repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ!

What is the most valuable, powerful weapon to wield in the "warfare" of witnessing?  

It is the word of God!  The Sword of the LORD!

3. Get to know your Bible and use it in witnessing.  It is the Bible that makes one "...wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (II Timothy 3:15).  God's word is quick and powerful (Hebrews 4:12).  It can pierce the heart and bring conviction where human reasoning and argument will only bounce off the calloused surface.  God proclaims that His word is not bound (II Timothy 2:9), will not return void (Jeremiah 55:11), won't fall to the ground (II Kings 10:10), and cannot be destroyed (I Peter 1:25). 

Consider just 3 of many witnesses that God gives us in the Bible, who used the Scriptures to preach Jesus: 
Philip—"And Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto Him Jesus" (Acts 8:35).

Paul—"And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ" (Acts 17:2-3).

Apollos—"For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ" (Acts 18:28).

Jesus also used the Scriptures to proclaim Himself. "...O fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them all the Scriptures concerning himself...These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:25-27).  

Wouldn't you have loved to hear Jesus preaching Jesus?

After declaring Himself through Scripture He then told His disciples, "And ye are witnesses of these things" (Luke 24:48).  Today, if you are saved, you are to follow as a disciple and witness.

You may think, "But I can't be a witness!" for many reasons—fear, your past, your inability to speak well, no burning desire.  And you are right—you cannot do it alone.  Jesus said, "...For without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5).  

Consider Saul of Tarsus, who became the apostle Paul—probably the greatest evangelist, church planter, and missionary in history; not even he could witness on his own.  In speaking of his own conversion, Paul declared to Agrippa that the Lord Jesus Christ told him, "But rise and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness..." (Acts 26:16).  God would have to make him a witness.  

When Jesus called the fishermen Peter and Andrew to be His disciples, He also told them,  "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19).  Jesus calls us and then through His power alone, He enables us!  "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it" (I Thessalonians 5:24).

Ask the Lord to lead you in this war for souls, and to teach you as you obey.  Then step into the fray, sword in hand.

40 Years Too Long

January 22nd, 2013 (this COMING Tuesday) is a significant day.  It marks 40 years since the United States of America declared it legal to slay babies before they are born.  At this time we have slaughtered over  55,000,000 (55 MILLION) children!

Our nation, still in horror at the deaths of 20 children in Newtown, Connecticut (and rightly so), must consider the 3,000 American boys and girls that are violently butchered each day!  Sadly, our nation as a whole, is unmoved at these facts.  These babies are much more defenseless—they cannot run, hide, or even cry out for help!

God makes it very clear that His people are to speak on behalf of those who have no voice. "Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.  Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy"  (Proverbs 31:8-9). I hear a lot about how we must care for the needs of the poor and needy in society.  But is it not true that the unborn are the poorest and most needy of the land?

Do we think that God will be silent concerning this matter?  Did not the blood of Abel cry out to Him?  Are not "hands that shed innocent blood" (Proverbs 6:17) an abomination in His blood?  Did God not overthrow the Canaanites because of their wickedness, chief among which was declared by Moses? "...For even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods" (Deuteronomy 12:31).  Abortion is a human sacrifice to the god of self.  Who are we to think that we have the jurisdiction, not only to choose when we have children, but also to think that we can murder innocent people in the womb?  Those who promote abortion both "condemn the innocent blood" (Psalm 94:21) and "contemn God" (Psalm 10:13).

Did not the LORD judge even the kingdom of Judah and Jerusalem, the apple of His eye, for their national  sins, led by king Manasseh, who "shed innocent blood very much" (II Kings 21:16)?  How can we think that our own nation should be able escape the judgment we deserve?  Why should we expect God to bless the people that murders their little ones?  Remember, "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people" (Proverbs 14:34).  There is reproach on this our nation today, for we have cast God's laws behind our backs (Nehemiah 9:26) and have framed "mischief by a law" (Psalm 94:20).  We are told that "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD" (Psalm 33:12), but does it not follow that conversely, that the nation which rebels against the LORD, and slaughters the innocent is in danger of judgment (Matthew 5:21)?  The Scripture warns, "Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person" (Deuteronomy 27:25).  Does it not follow that cursed is the nation who protects, promotes, and provides for the continuance of such a vile practice?  Sober thoughts indeed.

Our nation has allowed the murder of the innocent and it's money making industry 40 years too long!

A multitude of believers in churches today are slumbering in apathy toward this great massacre.  Some even promote abortion as a good thing, calling evil good.  Woe unto them!  Did Christ not tell us that we are to be salt and light in society?   Many others recognize the problem, but do nothing of substance about it.  We need to hear the rebuke of Paul: "Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame" (I Corinthians 15:34).  

Much of the church has chosen to ignore the murder of the innocent and, even at times, defended it's money making industry 40 years too long!

Let us stand for truth, and declare the word of God concerning Life, and Life Everlasting!

Let us consider this charge: "If thou forebear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?" (Proverbs 24:11-12).

What is the believer to do when society is contemning God and condemning the innocent blood? 

"They that forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them" (Proverbs 28:4).  We must obey His word and contend for Life, pleading the cause of those who are unable to speak for themselves!  We must also cry unto the Lord to work mightily to change hearts.  "It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law" (Psalm 119:126).  

If the Lord has given you a burden for this ministry, and you would like to find out ways that you can get involved in the battle for lives and souls, please contact me.  I would love to share resources and ideas, and encourage you as you go forward.

There is still time to win a battle before the sun goes down.

Abortion must be abolished.

Be Bold

“Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight” (I Chronicles 19:13).

Joab, captain of the host, has led the mighty men of Israel against the royal city of Rabbah of Ammon. They have come in the name and at the command of David, their king.  The Ammonites have gathered to fight in front of the gates of the fortified city.  Joab and his host set themselves to do battle.

Yet what is this noise behind?  Sounds of feet marching, of hoof beats, and the jostling of chariot wheels?  The men of Israel look over their shoulders and take in the scene.  A huge multitude gathers in the field at their rear, not only footmen, but cavalry also, and 32,000 chariots!  It is a highly trained mercenary army from Syria hired by the children of Ammon to be sure of victory.  It seems as if they will be crushed between the two forces. 

The army of Israel, so far from home, has no chance of gaining reinforcements or aid.  In the face of such numbers and in a grossly disadvantaged position, what can they do?  It is enough to make the stoutest heart hesitate, falter. 

Seeing that the battle is set against him before and behind, Joab has a decision to make.  Retreat?  Make an attack on one side or another, leaving their flank exposed?  Surrender?  Sue for peace?    

The captain of the host swiftly gives orders.  He reorganizes his army into two, and gives the command of the second division into the hand of Abishai his brother.   The two armies must turn to face the enemy at hand—Abishai’s men fighting the Ammonites, while Joab’s men take on the Syrians.  This way they will have each other’s back.  The brothers agree each to send word if one needs help, and pledge to give aid when needed.

Before they turn away to attack the enemy Joab gives this charge to his brother.  “Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.”  They throw themselves into the fray, trusting in their God, and the LORD grants them the victory.

As believers, we also face a war.  It is not one against flesh and blood, but instead for the souls of lost people.  Our King, the LORD Jesus Christ, has sent us to preach the Gospel that sinners may come to know Him and be saved from sin and Satan’s bondage.  He has provided us with armour and a SWORD LIKE NONE OTHER–the quick and powerful word of God–the Bible.

It must be recognized that the enemy does not play fair, and when we set out to share our faith, we find not only the adversary, the devil, endeavoring to tempt and dissuade us, but also the world system, which presses us to compromise and to be silent.  And the flesh itself provides yet another foe, causing us to fear man and shrink from the task.

In the face of all this opposition, let us not lose heart.  Do we not have the LORD of all creation as the Captain of our Salvation?  Has He not promised to be with us?  Are we not more than conquerors through Jesus Christ?  He who redeemed us by His blood, He who commissioned us for service, can He not use us?

Let us then as brethren encourage one another.  Let us be vigilant to watch each other’s back. Let us be swift to pray; swift to ask for help; swift to give aid!  We must consider Whom we serve and be valiant in battle for the kingdom of our God.  Let us do our duty and trust the Lord Almighty with the results.  Souls are heading to destruction.  Let us lift up our voices and speak the words of our Saviour: “Be ye reconciled to God!  Repent and believe the Gospel!” 

And may we, as Joab, shout over the noise of battle to our fellow believers in the fight:  “Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.”

Learning His Longsuffering

I recently came down with a coughing cold.  Yesterday I left for work around 2:30pm.  It is always a blessing to work with Rod and Charles, but I must confess I was glad to see the clock reach the stopping time.  Didn't get home till after 4am this morning.  Showered and laid my head on the pillow just before 5am.

A few hours later, I rose and went to the local abortion mill.  This is something the Lord has put on my heart to do twice a week Wednesdays and Saturdays, speaking for life and witnessing for Christ.  This morning I felt miserable, and could very well have stayed home, being sick and exhausted.  But I chose to go, because those women need to hear a witness and know that their child's life should be defended, not destroyed (Proverbs 31:8).

I stood alone on the sidewalk, pleading with mothers on behalf of their unborn children.  How hard it is to see them refuse to listen, and hear their hard speeches!  I spoke the truth in love and offered help and information, but was rejected and despised.  But, Lord, even when I am despised, I will not forget Thy precepts (Psalm 119:141).  I remember that Jesus my Redeemer has been there before me (Isaiah 53:3).

It must be a horrible thing for a mother to steel herself to do, so that, once decided, they were adamant to cling to their decision.  Some of them were brought by boyfriends, friends, and at least one girl of about 16 was there with her mom.  When hands join in hands, there is often false confidence.  These desperate ladies and their companions were repeatedly making excuses for their actions, cursed at me, and even threatened that I would be beaten up or even killed just for being there.

I think that I have been given a very finite glimpse of a slice of what my Lord describes:

"I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;" (Isaiah 65:2).

"But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people." (Romans 10:21).

"For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not." (Isaiah 30:15).

"Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD." (Jeremiah 29:19).

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" (Matthew 23:37).

How great my awe to know that the almighty God of the Bible so loved the world that He would come to give his own lifeblood (Ephesians 1:7) and seek to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10), while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8).

Makes me think of the hymn, which says:

"Wounded and bleeding,
for sinners pleading,
blind and unheeding,
dying for me."

The Saviour of the world was rejected, but gave His life a ransom for all.  Think of it--He died to redeem Adam's rebellious race!  And all who turn to Him in faith can be saved from all their sin.  How can I give up serving in a hard ministry, when He did so much more for me when I was still His enemy?  Only but for His grace, I would still be a hell-bound sinner myself.  Praise the Lord for His mercy and His long suffering.

Therefore, I shall not only continue to stand for truth, and speak for life, and preach the Gospel, but I will also invite and encourage other believers to be faithful and obedient to the word of our God and Saviour.  No matter the heartbreak and rejection, the truth is worth being shared, and you never know when someone will hear and turn to do right.  God will not let his words fall to the ground (II Kings 10:10) or return void (Isaiah 55:11).

I pray that the Lord will use my words today to continue to work in the  hearts of these needy souls, and draw them to Himself.  Fruit from this type of ministry is not always seen by the worker, but God gives the increase.  And occasionally we see it.  For instance, last Saturday, a couple at the same place decide to leave and save their child's life, thanks to the pleading of a sidewalk counselor.

"He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." (Psalm 126:6).

There is still time to win a battle before the sun goes down.

Abortion must be abolished.