Just some thoughts

 Church, we cannot simply ignore current events in the world around us and go about our business. It's time to wake up, acknowledge the spiritual warfare that is taking place, and get to work... 

A man, who was in fact a martyr, was assassinated in front of the entire world. Many have ignored it, some even responded very inappropriately. Now is when we need to take a bold stand for faith and truth. We need to stand for, and speak Jesus to those around us. So many people have, and will continue to see and hear the truth, and the gospel, through the countless reels and videos online from the work of this man over the short time he was given here. Many of these people may even be showing up in our churches in the near future, looking for answers and direction. This is where the church needs to shine. We need to be the voice that takes these people and directs them past the servant that brought them here and points them to the savior. In a time where elected officials have made a more clear presentation of the gospel than some pulpits do, we as the church need to do better, and stand boldly in the gap.

Charlie Kirk was labeled a political activist, but he was so much more than that. He was a husband, a father, a son, a brother, an entrepreneur and a leader, and much more. Above all of these things though, Charlie was a servant who knew and obeyed his calling. This is what made him so successful in all things, and why he was and will continue to be a great evangelist to the current generation. 

Biblical humility is knowing your strengths and weaknesses, and using them to serve gracefully. Not everyone is called to do what Charlie Kirk did, but we are all called to serve, and make God known to those around us. We don't have to have a platform that reaches the world, we simply need to reach the world around us. 

September 10th was a dark, and very sad day for so many people. This tragedy was intended for evil, but it has, and will continue to ultimately work to glorify God. You don't have to look too hard to see God working in every aspect of this; from Charlie taking one breath here, and the next in the presence of his savior, down to his grieving widow forgiving her husband's assassin just days after losing the love of her life. These are only a few examples of God's work in and through this, there are countless other examples.

Romans 8:28- "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

I encourage you to look for the good in the things happening in your own life today, and allow God to work through these things to make himself known to you, as well as those around you. May we all stand a bit taller from now on, and have a bolder and more courageous stand for faith and truth, to share Jesus with those around us.

How do you identify?

Have you ever wished you could be someone or even something else? Today’s culture allows anyone to be almost anything. You can identify as anything you want, so long as it fits the worldly narrative. Nowadays, gender confusion is the new norm, and identifying as the opposite gender is completely acceptable. Today you are no longer even limited to just 2 genders, as there are now MANY to choose from. If you don’t feel happy, or comfortable with yourself, you can simply identify as something else that makes you feel better about yourself. How does all of this work, anyway? Well, it “works” for those that want it to; because we live in a fallen world that seemingly has no definition of truth. The truth is whatever you want it to be. Truth is relative, and objective to the world we live in today. This is the current worldview, and it does not align in any way with God’s word.

This worldview and behavior are sinful, and directly influenced by evil. The Bible tells us in Romans that we are all sinners, and are born into sin. There is no way around this, and it is no excuse for the behavior we are seeing today. We cannot simply do what we want, or do what feels right in our heart. Jeremiah 17:9 says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?". We, as Christians, are instructed to be salt and light; we are to shine His light in the darkness and preserve His truth. We need to show the world love while standing boldly for the truth, even if/when we think we are standing alone. We often get this wrong as Christians, and either take it upon ourselves to condemn the world and its sin, or we just ignore it, which indicates tolerance. Both are sinful behavior. 

We cannot convict the sinner for the evil in their life, as it is not our place to convict anyone of anything. Our job is simply to plant seeds, speak the truth, and spread the gospel and love of Christ. The Holy Spirit will do the rest. In many cases, the world will argue “I was born this way", and they are correct. They were truly born in sin, as we have seen. It is for this reason that the Bible says we must be born again if we want to enter the kingdom of God.

While we may live in a place now that allows seemingly infinite identity alternatives, there is but one that will get you into God's eternal kingdom. The Bible teaches that we must be born again now, repent of our sinful life, and turn to Him for salvation and identity.

If you do claim the name of Christ today, I encourage you to examine your heart and life for the fruits of your faith. 

-Do you turn to Christ in times of need, as well as times of joy?

-Do you rejoice in your trials and praise Him when things don’t go as planned, knowing that the God of the universe knows what is best for you?

-Do you stand boldly for His truth in your part of the world?

-Are you allowing His light to shine through you?

-Is pride preventing you from humbling yourself to His will in your heart?

These are things we all struggle with but have the ability to overcome through Christ. Stand boldly for Him today, and Christ will boldly represent you when your time of judgment arrives. When we enter eternity, one cannot simply identify with Christ at that time, for it will be too late.

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KJV Scripture References:

Jeremiah 17:9

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

1 John 1:9

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

John 3:3

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Romans 3:23

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

Romans 3:10

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”

Romans 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 10:9-10

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Romans 10:13

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”