Be Prepared Not Scared

October 6, 2020 Gracie

The Lord Wants Us To Be Prepared Not Scared

Has 2020 been a disaster or what?

It certainly feels like the world is going, to borrow an old expression, to “hell in a handbasket.”

heartbreaking world events None of this craziness is a surprise to God, though.

So, what next?

Can we pull ourselves out of this mire – where the world is drowning in perversion, hatred, idolatry, and anti-God rhetoric?

No – not alone we can’t.

The fact is we can’t pull ourselves out of any of this spiritual backslide.

Our help comes only from the Lord, in His timing.

The verse below is a lovely reminder, and a great one to memorize.

Psalm 121:1-2

Our help (whether it’s looking towards the hills of Jerusalem like the Psalmist, or out our own front door) comes from the Lord.

We see evidence of His grace everywhere.

Our problems become smaller when we think about how big the love of God is.

Can I get an Amen!!

Be Prepared Not Scared

No matter what happens next in this crazy world, we should be prepared not scared because He promised to never leave us.

be prepared not scared

When the headlines about the rioting and violence cause alarm, take a moment, stop and pray.

There’s comfort in knowing that your prayers will reach all the way up to Heaven – quicker than you can blink your eyes.

When I look at the world with all its problems, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed when I pray. And it certainly is overwhelming, until we look to the greatness of our God and realize that with Him, nothing is impossible. By His grace we can see this nation turned around, healed both of its plagues and the sin that plagues all of us. – Ray Comfort, Evangelist, founder of Living Waters Publications. ²

I know it looks scary out there. I’ve seen the headlines too, and watched incredulously as foul-mouthed bullies try to take over Christian Facebook pages.

The godless may win some battles, but folks – they will lose the war.

The Spiritual Battle Rages On

This is a spiritual battle between Good and Evil.

Now’s not the time to back down and keep our mouths shut because of fear.

Now is the time to share the hope that we have through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We have a responsibility to shine His light in this present darkness.

I know that there are some who’d rather not bother: I hate getting involved in politics and I’m not going to vote. Can’t we just keep quiet?

No, we can’t.

America is in trouble.

Socialism is a godless, ugly, ideology lurking right on our doorstep, and it’s up to all of us to exercise our right to vote.

We must be prepared not scared to take a bold, courageous stand for Jesus Christ and godly values.

We as Bible-believing evangelical Christians are locked in a battle. This is not a friendly gentleman’s discussion. It is a life and death conflict between spiritual hosts of wickedness and those who claim the name of Christ. Where is the clear voice speaking to the crucial issues of the day with distinctly biblical answers? We must be the voice of reason. May we not sin through silence. – Francis Schaefer. well-known theologian and apologist.

# # #

² Quotation from Pastor Ray Comfort, “Revival Amid Riot.” Courtesy of Living Waters. [blog post]. May 29, 2020, para. 7. Web. Accessed September 30, 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.livingwaters.com/revival-amid-riot/

³Francis August Schaeffer, (1912-1984), evangelical Christian and theologian. Schaeffer quotation, courtesy of Dobson Digital Library. [blog post]. “Socialism: The Enemy of Christianity.” n.d., para. 3. Web. Accessed October 5, 2020.

Our Exceptional God

A Salvation Message

November 7, 2018 Gracie

A Salvation Message For Our Time

Are you a sinner?

If you’re a Christian, the answer is “Yes.”

If you’re not a Christian, the answer is also “Yes.”

There’s a common misconception that Christians are, or at least think they are, sinless.

Skeptics of Christianity say things like:

I don’t go to church because it’s full of hypocrites

Christians think they’re holier-than-thou

Let’s help put those misunderstandings to rest.

We’re All Sinners

That means me . . . you . . . the postman . . . that celebrity . . . your pastor . . . your college professor.

Every person driving next to you during your morning commute is a sinner.

That’s a lot of people – a whole population worth.

There was, and is, only one perfect, sinless, eternally-divine Person who ever walked the earth – God’s own son, Jesus Christ.

Why would God do that for us?

Who are we to deserve such a gift as His Son?

Saved By Grace

A salvation message

No other mediator exists between God and Man, except our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

God loves us so much that He sent His beloved Son to die for us so that our sins could be washed clean.

He’s a God of second chances, and third, and fourth . . .

Even though we all fail Him, as Christians, our salvation is secure because of God’s grace and our repentant hearts.

There’s a whole world out there in need of salvation through Christ alone.

Watch as Ray Comfort explains this. The short video begins with a lesson on dinosaurs and then segues into the consequences of unrepentant sin to a young woman faced with some very important life questions.

Our Exceptional God

Putting on the Armor of God

September 8, 2015 Gracie

Gearing Up for Spiritual Battle

In the Bible, we’re instructed to put on the armor of God. The Enemy is on our doorstep, and it’s time to start getting prepared … if you aren’t already.

putting on the armor of God Ephesians 6:13-17, NASB, says:

13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

– New American Standard Bible (NASB)Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

That’s a straightforward, pulling-no-punches, command from God. Our strength is in God and in His Word. Ultimately, we are fighting against the devil’s schemes.

No one said it was going to be easy, but no battle worth fighting ever is.

We must pray, read His word, and commit scripture verses to memory so we can be prepared to answer for our faith in the tough days ahead.

Never in my life have I seen so many attacks on Christianity, babies in the womb, racial relations, and God’s design for marriage. As the political arena heats up prior to the 2016 elections, I can only imagine this hatred towards Christians will only get worse.

Blatant irreverence and rebellion towards God.

The News Media Bias is Disturbing

It’s getting real difficult for me to watch or even read the news anymore … continued attacks on pro-life supporters and God’s design for marriage between a man and a woman.

God’s will has now been vilified by the mainstream media as well as the mantra “anything goes” in our society. In fact, there are some segments of our society that want to do away with any descriptions of gender at all. Have you seen what’s happening with California restrooms and what almost happened in a Tennessee school, “he” and “she” were almost done away with.

C’mon, this is nonsense.

As Christians, we need to wake up and get our heads out of the sand.

Parents, please stay involved and watchful.

Those moms and/or dads who have their children enrolled in public schools better be prepared to de-program their kids when they get home. Not doing so is a recipe for disaster. Eventually, the culture war will come to your school and your family will either stand up for your faith in God or you’ll choose to stay silent, hoping it will all just go away.

It won’t.

We are to speak up for our faith when we have an opportunity, exhibiting the reverence we have for our Heavenly Father.

We need to spread the truth of salvation through Jesus Christ alone as quickly as we can against this growing tide of persecution. Have you heard what is happening in the Middle East?

How could anyone stay silent against persecution, even that which has come to America? I do believe we are the terminal generation.

The desecration of a national and historical place in June (I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. I refuse to share a picture) was a disturbing assault on our God-given values of family and faith in our nation’s history. I knelt and cried when I saw it.

Our Nation Needs Prayer

Today, our nation needs prayer. I still hold out hope for America to be a praying nation again, but only God knows the timing of every event to come.

There are Christians in the public eye taking brave stands. That encourages me. Evangelist and best-selling author, Ray Comfort, is one whom I have tremendous respect for.

His heart and compassion for people has led him to witness to many people across the globe. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Ray has reached countless souls for Christ.

He and his team at Living Waters have also produced some wonderful films which discuss the Christian response to some of the disheartening topics of the day.

Gods design for marriage I also highly recommend the movie, “Audacity.” I’ve seen it twice now and will put the link to it below. The movie is free and just over 55 minutes long. It centers on God’s design for marriage and how to lovingly witness to homosexuals. I repeat, “lovingly.”

Now, of course, there are those people out there who hate Ray Comfort and anything having to do with Christianity. As vicious as their attacks are, we must pray for them.

Audacity is worth the watch, less than an hour out of your day

We are all sinners and in need of a Savior. It doesn’t matter whether you’re rich or poor, from a different ethnic group, sexual community, old or young – none of that is the point.

“Audacity” will help you see this controversial issue with new perspective.

Here’s the link to the free Audacity movie:

God bless you all. Stay strong, my brothers and sisters in Christ!

Our Exceptional God