Tag: take courage

Wake Up Church

Wake up Church

It’s Time To Wake Up Church

What started out as a great day yesterday, September 10th, quickly turned into one of shock and sadness.

I was working on a big project in my office when my husband came in and told me about the horrific shooting of Charlie Kirk, who later died.

I had just listened to one of Charlie’s podcasts from a college campus just a couple of days ago. Even closer to home, friends of ours attended one of Charlie’s college tours when he came into town not that long ago.

We are completely heartbroken and still shedding some tears over this.

Charlie Kirk was always professional and fair, even to the college students who disagreed with him. He was the first to say that any student who wanted to debate current issues to step up to the mic first, so that they could discuss their differences in religion and politics.

Charlie never hesitated to talk about his belief in Jesus. He was cursed at often, yet he always maintained his cool and exhibited grace towards those who were verbally attacking him.

I have no doubt that yesterday, and for eternity, this man of God, devoted husband and father, a champion of faith, family, and freedom, is now rejoicing in the arms of our Savior.

Lord – hold his family and friends tight as they grieve their loss. Give us wisdom and a godly perspective, Father, as we process through our grief after losing this American treasure.

The horrible murder that happened yesterday is pure evil on display.

Those in politics, the news media, and the online commenters who are laughing about this tragedy are also showing you evil on display . . .  and they do not care.

Charlie’s death is yet another example of Christian persecution on our own soil.

How can this be happening in America?

Wake Up Church, and please pray.

Wake Up Church, Condemn Violence of Any Kind

No matter what side of the political aisle you are on, violence is never the answer.

Some in the big three mainstream news media will spin this tragedy and place blame however they are directed.

They will use this event to push for “controls” and whatever else fits the agenda.

No, what is to blame is an evil heart.

All human life is precious – from womb to adulthood.

Personally, I’d rather hear what our God in Heaven has to say.

No matter what evil and troubles that we see around us, God is still on His throne.

In John 16:33, Jesus told His disciples in His farewell sermon,

These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. – John 16:33, (NASB). 1

“You will have tribulation . . .”

We are seeing increasing acts of hatred and violence on the world stage, and right here in our America.

This is not the America I grew up in.

Evil and darkness hate the light so we can expect more.

Satan’s mission is to lead humanity to hell.

Evil is very real, not only with what happened to Charlie Kirk, but today we also remember 9/11 and the loss of over 2900 lives.

Wake Up Church: Seek God’s Perspective

I urge everyone to avoid the political vitriol on news stations.

Seek instead a godly perspective.

God created us so that, in all that we do in the short time we’re here on earth, we can use our talents and abilities to give the glory to Him and show the world evidence of His saving grace.

Charlie Kirk did that.

This truth remains: in all of this turmoil, our peace can only be found in Jesus Christ.

The Bible tells us that we can expect “tribulation,” but we also have a conquering King who offers us peace in the midst of it.

Wake up, Church.

As a nation, we need to pray for a spiritual revival and repentance.

May we all be so bold as Charlie Kirk, in sharing our faith in Jesus, and charging forward with the knowledge that our eternal victory is in Christ.

You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. – 1 John 4:4, (NASB).2

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1 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

2 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

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Do You See?

Do You See What is Happening Around Us?

Saturday, July 13th, my husband and I returned home to see the terrible news on television.

Friends started calling and texting us almost immediately.

The horrific news of an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump spread like a wildfire.

There is shock around the nation, and also around the world.

Did you see . . . ?

Did you hear . . . ?

Anxious moments, tearful calls between friends, and the stark realization of just how far our great country has fallen (while not unexpected) leaves me sick to my stomach.

There is no other word to describe the hateful action of the perpetrator, other than pure evil.

The fact is neither candidate (or their voters) should be threatened with violence.

Neither.

As the Evil One continues to infect the minds of his tools in humanity with hateful ideologies, we as Christians must continue to be pray, be watchful and discerning.

Below are the words of Jesus as He comforted His disciples before His death on the cross.

He faced torture, mocking, an excruciating death, and yet with all of those persecutions ahead, Jesus wanted His disciples to have peace.

“. . . so that in Me you may have peace . . . 

These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. – John 16:33, (NASB).1

Do You See the Evil Around You?

I guess a better way of putting it is, how can anyone not see the evil around us?

We have to remember that none of this horrific display of hatred and evil was a surprise to God.

The Bible warns us about what we can expect until Jesus’ return and we just saw yet another, albeit despicable, example of it.

The world is evil, but our peace until He returns, is found only through Him.

I hope you will join me in prayer for our former president and his family, the family of the innocent firefighter who actually died from a gunshot, and those in attendance at the rally who were injured.

Pray also for America.

As the shock starts to wear off, I pray your faith remains strong in the contentious times ahead.

Remember Jesus on the Cross and His triumphant resurrection.

Do you see?

He is coming back for His believers.

Someday, in God’s timing, the whole world will see.

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. – 1 Corinthians 1:18, (NASB).2

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1 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

2 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

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The Right Stuff

The Right Stuff – How Can I Get It?

The Right Stuff

The Right Stuff – The Mercury Seven1

Do you have “what it takes?”

In other words, do you have “The Right Stuff?”

I know, I know . . . there’s a movie by that name, but that’s not what I’m talking about.

Even better, to get “it” we don’t have to be astronauts venturing into space!

Specifically, I’m talking about what it takes to be a courageous Christian.

Navigating today’s troublesome world takes Courage, with a capital “C.”

We live in a dying, lost world.

We need Courage because, going forward, we’ll be persecuted for our faith.

As a former news reporter and longtime researcher, some of the disturbing things I hear about that are coming our way (or being proposed for the future) are so demonic that I continue to pray for a spiritual revival.

But, only God knows “if” another spiritual revival is in our future. 

The alternative, Christians already know about.

This may be the time in our history that this Church Age will continue to progress to a fever pitch of evil coming from the wicked.

Since the Rapture hasn’t happened yet, (Come Lord Jesus!), we need to spend our remaining time on this planet telling the world about Him and teaching the younger generation about salvation through Jesus Christ.

Additionally, whatever your spiritual gifts or talents are – make sure you give glory to God in all things and let that be known.

It’s important to realize that the time for staying quiet about your belief in Jesus Christ is over.

God Loves us, but Judgment is Coming for the Wicked

God is sovereign so He allows sad things to happen in our world.

On the other hand, because He is a good God, this is a time of “great harvest.”

With that in mind, here’s some good news.

More and more people are coming to Christ all over the world as they take off their media-driven blinders and see the differences between Good and Evil.

As an illustration, think about some of the movies you’ve seen where a coach gives an inspiring speech to his battle-weary football team.

This is a good analogy because it describes what we’re facing now.

As Christians, we are on a team: Team Jesus.

We are coming up against powerful adversaries, but none are more powerful than our Sovereign God.

Decide Which Team You’re On

Satan will pull out all of the stops in order to distract you, alarm you, cause you doubts, get you to sin, beat you up with feelings of insecurity and loneliness, and much much more.

Be ready.

To illustrate, I really like what Christian author Susie Larson said about Courage, so will share it here.

I hope this is helpful to you going forward.

Daily Blessing
Courage means you get back up again after you’ve been knocked down. Courage means you face your fears and move past them. Courage means you stand up and remain confident in the face of your bullies. Jesus was the King of Courage, and He lives inside of you! Refuse to let your enemy kick dirt in your eyes or spew lies in your ears. Do you remember who you are? YOU are a child of the Most High God. You are someone heaven knows. YOU are profoundly important to the greater Kingdom story. So rise up and engage your faith. Face your day with fierce confidence and courageous strength. God is with you! 
1 Corinthians 16:13 NLT ~ Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. – Susie Larson, Christian Author.3

The Right Stuff

Above all, have Courage, Christian friends.

We are on the winning team against Evil!    

The Apostle Paul’s teaching about God’s grace is for all of us.

Romans 5:8-11

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1 “The Right Stuff, photo courtesy of NASA on The Commons, no restrictions, public domain, 17 March, 1960, via Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. Accessed and retrieved October 9, 2021.

2Susie Larson devotional, courtesy of susielarson.com., “Take Courage”. Daily Blessing. October 7, 2021. Retrieved from https://www.susielarson.com/daily-blessing/2021/10/7/take-courage 

3Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

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