Charlie Kirk's Memorial Service

Charlie Kirk's Memorial Service

Slander and Pride in Prayer Requests

Most women are familiar with gossip being a potential pitfall when sharing a prayer need. Too often the "need" for prayer becomes a bash session or a town council style opinion meeting if it isn't carefully shared. This isn't new information for those who desire to avoid gossip. 

There is another issue that I think we sometimes miss in prayer request time that has had me thinking though. It is the issue of slander: speaking against someone in a way that harms their reputation or negatively shapes the opinion of others. It can happen before we know it, and it can be one of those things we didn't intend. Slander can be factual or false, and it can flow out of a lack of humility and pride, but also lack of foresight. Too often if something is true we think it is ok to openly share. (True as in absolutely true, or true in our own minds and opinion.)

The truth is,  however,  whether something is factual or not, it isn't always helpful or appropriate to share. We should be able to see what is our own opinion of a situation and "our truth" for what it is--possibly clouded and mistaken, especially within the confines of a serious relationship problem. 

Before sharing a prayer need about a problem we have with another person, we should ask ourselves what exactly are we saying about the other individual? Are we saying they are a thief, a liar, an adulterer, deceived, malicious, that they have an anger issue, or something else? Is the problem absolutely one-sided (like a person has a clear substance abuse issue or is in a cult) or is there a chance both parties are at fault to varying degrees? We should always ask for our own hearts to be changed in situations with subjectivity. 

We don't want people coming away from our prayer request thinking poorly of someone else if it can be helped. I realize there are times this is unavoidable. In such cases, prudence is advised. Instead of sharing in a group setting, ask a trusted friend or two to pray (if details are required that will shed negative light on someone else). Regardless, whenever we have a problem with another person to the degree that it leads us to seek the support of others, our attitude should be that we are willing to see the situation differently if God sees it differently. There should be a measure of humility, our love for the other person should be clear, and our desire for reconciliation over being right should be obvious. If we aren't there yet when we share the need, it is important we're open to advice on the matter and do not approach it like we have it all figured out.

In closing, let's consider being vague in prayer needs so we respect the reputation of others, and being sure to communicate our own willingness to change our perspective. There is usually something we can improve upon in any problem situation. 

To God be the glory

A Reason to Wait

Like many people I know, I too am tired of talking about the COVID vaccination. People who agree with the liberal media's ever-shifting stances (based on their political agenda) fail to see the illogical maneuvers and changing 'scientific logic' pandered on mainstream media. Some folks just can't deal with the stress of disagreeing with the TV majority; they don't realize the vast number of people who see the pandemic through a very different lens. This is true particularly if folks only interact with others who think MSNBC and the local news is unbiased. Discernment is something to pray for if one possesses the Holy Spirit; ask God to help you see the world the way He sees it and to have the courage to see the evils of the leftist ideologies and how they work to twist the truth. 

The COVID vaccination has not been FDA approved, it is still an experimental drug. Those are the types terminal cancer patients opt for when they are running out, or have run out, of options. Many people do not want to put their personal health or the health of their children at risk taking a drug that hasn't gone through the rigorous testing process we've all historically felt was extremely important. Those with allergies or other health conditions are often more cautious about vaccinations, for good reason. Bear in mind the recovery rate from COVID is over 99 percent for the majority of people. That rate of recovery doesn't warrant the risk of an experimental drug being injected for many people. Vaccinations have always been a personal choice. It should give people serious pause when there is wide spread rhetoric that attributes ignorance and moral inferiority to those who choose not to vaccinate. Talking points given by the liberal media should be a red flag to citizens of America, this is not normal in a free society. It is much more in line with communist nations whose leaders deceive the masses with the MEDIA. The moral superiority of those who push the vaccination is deplorable, especially considering Biden and his administration promote the most heinous, ungodly acts of humanity on earth. The smokescreen of moral high ground over the COVID shot reveals how base our society has become. 

The unborn have been abandoned by those who voted for Biden in exchange for their many unfounded fears about their own personal safety, how's that for prized morality? What about the lives of children and adults being destroyed by astronomical suicide rates and the transgender sin abounding? People using the name of Christ abandoned God's truth in voting in a president who joyfully says God made mistakes in creating them 'male and female' and who says we must be bolder in killing the unborn. A virus that has a less than 1 percent fatality rate for the majority of people doesn't warrant supporting the Equality Act, but those who voted for Biden did just that. Marking gender 'choice' as a civil right will do damage that cannot be adequately penned here. The gates of Hell will be thrown open and those who voted for Biden helped crack open the door.

If people can be so easily led away from loving God and His principles because of a virus with a 99 percent recovery rate, it is terrible to envision the end of days and how easy it is going to be for the antichrist to convince the world that what is bad is good and what is good is bad. The broad road that leads to destruction clearly has bricks fired in the kiln of the liberal media. Be wary, Christian!

Here at ACL we have always carefully evaluated vaccinations and when to have them administered, if at all. That isn't going to change because of a virus with a 99 percent recovery rate, even one that might have lingering health impacts for us. We will take our chance with the virus at this point. Fully vetted vaccines are not equivalent to experimental stage drugs.

To those who think they are morally superior because of being vaccinated: we here at ACL are people who belong to Christ, and are quite secure in our standing with God. In case this has somehow been missed, you disagree with us on a whole mess of stuff, we'd wager. This is how it is when one chooses to live for Christ and stand on the Word of God; there are two opposing sides. Get used to it, it isn't going to get better as these days draw more evil. Christians should not judge other Christians, and Christians shouldn't care what the lost think. 

If someone wants to get vaccinated, run don't walk--go for it. As it has always been, live free afterward--you do you. But don't let the liberal media continue to control you with fear mongering. That's the only advice you'll get directly from us. We don't buy into the nonsense about everyone needing the shot for herd immunity. That has been achieved with far less than 100 percent of the populous being immunized, and even if a person contracts COVID after getting the shot, it is a very mild case, so go live your life. People need to work hard now to undo the whack things that have happened to their thinking being locked away for so long. Since when has it been logical to only live life if there is NO chance of contracting something? Are people new to life on planet Earth? We will ALL get sick one day, and at some point we will ALL die. Is COVID the end all, be all worth all of the mental illness and family division going on in America? A 99 percent recovery rate for the vast majority of people doesn't warrant the response the Democrats, and their extension office the liberal media, have contrived. Many in this nation have been living as normal as possible for a year.

For all of these reasons, waiting on getting the COVID vaccination is a valid approach that reflects thoughtfulness and therefore should not be mandated by anyone. To do otherwise personally or widespread reveals ignorance, a lack of understanding , and an inability, or refusal, to rightly evaluate the situation.

When to Forgive, Confront, or Overlook

Evidence of whether we belong to God is how lovingly we forgive others, whether they've said they are sorry or not, whether they've repented or not. A vindictive or unforgiving heart is strong evidence of sin. Sometimes it is beneficial to point out to someone how they have hurt us, but sometimes it is better to overlook the sins of others against us. Don't we want others to offer that same courtesy to us? 

Overlooking, or forgiving, means the issue is something we choose to forget. We do not harbor ill-will or feelings of resentment or frustration. We genuinely move on in love. Leave others to their games and own choices, you do what you're going to do and leave it at that. This is something we need the power of God to do. Remembering that He is just and will work all things out as they should be worked out in His time.

That said, at times God is calling us to love someone enough to be gently honest with them. We should be careful to remove the log in our own eye first so we can see clearly. Have we been guilty of what we're about to confront them with? If so it doesn't negate our ability to be used by God to help the other person, on the contrary, our own humility in admitting what we've done is how we can approach the person we're trying to 'save from themselves'. It is important to seek God's will and follow it--we don't want to ignore His leading and pretend we're overlooking righteously when it is actually avoiding His directive to confront in order to bring someone to repentance. Do what you are going to do and let others do what they are going to do, and leave it at that. This leads to a similar thought.

'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you' is not synonymous with 'Do unto others as you have had done to you'. Note the difference. Letting someone off of our hook frees us to love and move forward, but when there is real pain due to someone's sinning against us, this can be extremely difficult. It can help to remember that God sees all and is just, and He has them on His hook. Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord, I will repay, Romans 12:19, God tells us not to avenge ourselves.

Most importantly, if we take time to thank God for what He has given and don't spend too much time on what He hasn't given or on what He's removed, we will be more content people. He is a good God. 

Expectations of Others

This post is an encouragement to have realistic expectations of others. Sometimes we need to lower our expectations and find contentment in that new place. 

The following statement may seem obvious, but too often we think we need to be, or deserve to have, something more, but we are not a part of everyone's top priorities. 

Can we handle that as adult people? 

Not everyone is going to want a close relationship with us. Is that ok? Sometimes we wrongly expect others to put us at a higher priority ranking than we've put them. Or sometimes we mistakenly expect more from someone than they've ever really demonstrated toward us. We can do all sorts of things to demonstrate interest in being closer with someone, but at some point we may need to take inventory and ask ourselves if the recipient has made it clear they aren't interested, kindly of course. We're not talking about being ugly here. In this situation, who there has the problem? Perhaps some self examination is in order on why we want a closer relationship with someone. People change, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. If we aren't growing in the same direction as an old friend, it should be expected that the same closeness won't remain--and often, it should not. If someone else has stayed as they always were but we haven't, sure, we can be the cause of the change. Can we be ok with that? The important thing is to love others and strive to be who God has called us to be in Christ.

The truth has been and remains that actions speak louder than words. 

Take a minute to digest that. Take a look at your life and relationships with people you care about. Be observant in your recollections and be a realist. Are you regularly guilty of expecting more than others give? Are you expecting more back than you've given? If you continually live disappointed at the failure of others to meet your expectations, could the problem be your expectations rather than what the 'others' do? It is wrong to put oneself on a pedestal as someone who has done 'so much' that we are 'owed', and it is wrong to expect others to meet all our needs. We should serve others and love them and leave it to God to meet our needs. He will use people to do that, but we don't get to dictate which people. 

Sometimes we can focus on past events more than present days when we take inventory, but we don't reach a point in life where we can start doing what we want to do irrespective of others. That is selfish, that is the thinking that leads to damaged relationships. As Christians, we are to always put others' interests before our own and we should strive to embody Romans 12:18, If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 

As the majority of states start to open up (as they should have long ago), let's mend fences, embrace our loved ones and be forgiving, taking time to acknowledge it has been a hard year on many people in different ways. It is possible our response to COVID closed off doors of communication as we judged others and failed to consider other points of view. Perhaps this is going to be the best opportunity we've recently had to really love and appreciate those we care about, taking fresh accounts of who those people are. 

Conflict with the Lost

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people. Romans 12:18

It is no secret that It is challenging to live at peace with all people, particularly people who have not experienced forgiveness from God. The beginning words, "If possible", come in to play. Those outside of Christ do not know how to forgive others, so resolving conflict with them is often very difficult, particularly if they have a besetting sin which controls their life. The best we can hope for is some measure of compromise that allows the relationship to continue. As believers, we must remember that we can't expect something from people that they are unable to deliver. Due to this, sometimes living up to this Bible truth requires that we make adjustments so we do not continually rub up against those we want to be at peace with. This is difficult if we regularly see someone who falls into this category. (This is also one reason many Christians should not be on Facebook.)

Thankfully, God has given His children many truths to help us go through this life with as much peace as possible. It isn't always easy, and it can even prove fruitless, but we must strive and leave it in God's hands. The wicked are crafty and will often stoop quite low to bring discord and strife. 

"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16

God tells us to forgive those who wrong us, whether they repent or not, and to seek to do good to them. Forgiving is to not hold their ill behavior against them--to let them off of our hook and leave them on God's. Afterall, He is Sovereign, sees the truth, and promises to not let the righteous be destroyed by evil. Seeking to do good to those who hurt us, especially if they continue to do something they've done for years and years, requires seeing them as God sees them: under the influence of the Devil with needs that only God can fill. With God, we can find ways to be a blessing, and as we mature, others will not even know who we really like and who we don't really like. This is something I've seen others do and it has really inspired me!

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. Matthew 5:44

I've sat in Bible studies where many ladies knew what it was like to be treated poorly, with no recognition from the offending party, year after year. Many knew what it was to be mischaracterized, or the recipients of unfair expectations. Real pain comes when people continually see us in a wrong light and act in selfish ways. Wounded people who are lost can cause a believer a lot of heartache. What are we to do?

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

Christian, we are to represent Christ as best we can, all the time. We don't have to like everyone and we don't have to befriend everyone. We do need to be respectful toward all people and serve others as best we can. We won't be called to reach every person we know or are related to, and that is OK. Sometimes the best thing we can do is step back and focus on prayer. This is especially true when the things we normally do to encourage others is met with hostility or offends them! I recall sending a new mom Bible verses that encouraged me during my early years of parenting, and the person seemed insulted. She is someone who wants to be seen as knowing all, and felt I was insinuating she needed help. Well, I needed help as a new Mom...but those who are insecure and prideful, they think it is a problem to need help. (not to say I don't have my own issues with pride...)

“Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces." Matthew 7:6

This brings me to my closing thoughts: the unsaved who are convinced they are victims. These people have it harder, have overcome more, and want to be seen dually:  as being better than those around them, and as having worked harder than others to get where they are. They will act like the life they've CHOSEN is a burden cast upon them (but didn't they choose to have those children; didn't they choose that career; didn't they choose that husband?). When they are feeling strong, they are condescending and praise themselves. When they are sad, they say things to evoke sympathy. This narrative is one that gets replayed over and over, and when someone denies them what they feel they have coming to them (often based on strings being attached when they did things for others in the past), be watchful. Passive aggressive behavior, putting others in uncomfortable positions, manipulation, character assassination, and more condescension set in. A person locked into this mindset will be at odds with others more and more as time goes on, and they will use any number of tactics to make sure they come out looking like a martyr or better than others. If they are frustrated overall still, they'll be passive aggressive and continue to let relationships suffer. It is very sad, but it is also something for the believer to be very shrewd with, remembering the lost CANNOT really forgive others--some can move on to a degree, but some hold grudges unbelievably. 

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 1 Cor 15:33

At some point a person may exhibit such wickedness that we simply must stop witnessing to them. What used to work in the relationship is met with attacks, and you can tell a brick wall has been put up. It may be time to stop trying and just keep praying. There are those who are receptive, or at least polite toward Christian truths, then those who are dismissive but not ugly about it. When this changes, however, and a person is displaying anger, mischaracterizations of your character and the like, it may be time move on. Sometimes you may be able to tell you are dealing with a serious spiritual battle. Likewise, if you can tell you are not able to keep yourself sounding kind, move on. There are those we are vulnerable with who are our friends, and those we witness to in order to try to save them from eternal damnation. Know the difference~Christians should not be bound with unbelievers. Our confidents should serve the same God, and we know from Scripture people are either on God's side or Satan's. There is no middle ground. 

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Eph 6:12

What No One Dreams Of

No one plans to grow up to then end their life.

No one plans to become an alcoholic.

No one dreams of being a drug addict.

No one hopes for being abused, or abusing. 

Few at the altar are planning the day they break their spouses heart and leave them.

But people do commit suicide.

People do take that first drink, risking a lifetime of regret.

People are fooled into thinking they can do a line once, or smoke some weed just occassionally. 

People do get abused, and someone is abusing them. 

When these things happen to us, around us, to those we love, around those we love, the question isn't 'why can't God fix it or stop it or make it not happen?'

The question should be, 'why didn't God fix it or stop it or make it not happen?', because He could have. 

But then this wouldn't be a fallen world, and that was not His choice--for us to live in a fallen world. He created, blessed, and let man do what he would. Man sinned. 

And God intervened, offering forgiveness and grace to those who would accept His provision of a perfect sacrifice to stand in our place as the payment for our sin. A system set up whereby a blood sacrifice is all that could wash away sin once and for all.

Oh, I know it sounds like a fairytale in some way and to some people. I wasn't born a follower of Jesus Christ; none of us are. But unless someone is living in utter denial, it is apparent we all sin, which means falling short of God's standard of perfect holiness. He didn't have to offer a way out of our sin. He doesn't have to allow any of us into Heaven, but the fact is, some of us will get to go. It isn't because of our goodness or brightness, but because we respond in faith to the calling of His Holy Spirit. Does His Spirit call everyone the same? I don't think so, and what does it really matter? If He is calling you, then you must respond. 

What life brings our way isn't the issue. The issue is this, what are we going to do with the hand we're dealt? It was said well in Rocky 6 when Rocky is talking to his son outside his restaurant. 

"The question isn't how hard you get hit, the question is how many times can you get hit and keep moving forward?" (apologies if I'm off here a bit)

We have to keep moving forward. We have to forgive. I was listening to a John MacArthur sermon tonight that stated the greatest thing we can do to be like God is to forgive others. 

Amen.

What Secular Psychologists Won't Tell You

Forgiveness

I spent the evening with the man who helped break up my parent's marriage. We've known each other for several decades. It is a complex situation.

What I've seen in this life is the terrible reaping that occurs when God's forgiveness is not accepted. Many understand 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.' At least the older generation does. In our pride we refuse to accept God's forgiveness, or often it is just not understood that Jesus Christ paid the price for all of our sins. We must come to Him in faith, however, and put on the new man: a person forgiven and set free, who longs to live a life pleasing to God. 'If we confess our sins He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.' That is a powerful truth. It says nothing of baptism, religious ceremonies or how we treat others. It is coming to God with nothing to offer and knowing it is only Him who can fix the mess of our state. His Sovereignty, His grace, His love. We love Him because He first loved us. As humans the Bible says 'there is none righteous, there is none that do good (meaning according to God's standards of a pure heart), there is none that seek after God.' He draws us to Himself and we must respond.

We're reconciled because of what Christ did on the cross at Calvary. The evidence of that reconciliation is good works done through the life of a believer. It is not the other way around, but sadly too many people don't believe that. The result of flipping the order is that sin continues to eat away at us.  Good works done with the goal that we'll earn God's favor leave us still needy. They assuage our feelings of unworthiness superficially.

I can forgive the sins of the past. How many of us have not been sinned against or have not sinned against others? We think sinful thoughts and sin against God. We are born in sin, and then we choose to sin. Nothing we do can please God but simply accepting the way He has laid out for us to be reconciled to Him. Our own ideas or the ideas of some religion are not going to cut it, no matter how sincere. 

God left us His word so that we could KNOW how to please Him. Will you take the time to find out?

www.gty.org 

Love and Forgiveness

Has there ever been someone in your life that loved you or your children, and just kept at it, asking nothing in return? I've had that experience for many, many years, and you know what happened somewhere along the way? I began loving that person.

This is a perfect illustration of God's love toward us, right down to the imperfect people He has used and is continuing to use as the story of mankind is written.

Love breaks down barriers, it opens doors to blessings for us and others. When we give to someone, which sometimes simply may mean letting them love us, we end up being given to.

There is nothing gained from holding on to grudges, justified or not. There will be opportunities lost that we cannot even fathom. As we hold on to our pain and what we consider righteous indignation, our hands become more and more empty. Love and forgiveness bring something altogether different. They build--they increase.

When giving to others is our focus, and glorifying God is our mission, when the saving truth of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection are upon our lips because of our love for mankind, we can rest assured that our life is one that builds rather than tears down. My hope is to realize that one person that may let me down or tear down in my world may actually be used of God to build up and support in someone else's world. We all sin, we all fall short. If we can just remember this reality, we'll deal with with other people with much more understanding.

Grace, grace, God's grace. Grace that is greater than all my sin...may I approach others with this attitude in Christ Jesus.

Reading "When Happily Ever After Shatters"

My friend's book arrived the other day, and tonight I read the first 7 chapters. 

If you are a child of divorce, have a close friend whose gone through divorce, are someone whose ever contemplated leaving your spouse, are someone whose dealt with adoption-abandonment issues, are someone who was victimized in a way that left you with anger difficulties, have had a friend or other loved one betray you...please consider reading Sue Birdseye's book, When Happily Ever After Shatters. 

Her situation is one of the worst imaginable, and yet the way God held her, and continues to, is an incredibly powerful testimony of His grace and ability. I know my perspective is a little different from someone who doesn't know her, but let me just tell you that she is who she portrays herself to be in her book. It isn't a façade. Since it is a book about abandonment of a spouse and how to get through it, being married will certainly help those other issues I mentioned because anyone who has a close friendship with their spouse will be able to understand the utter devastation Sue faced. She and her husband were friends-not strangers sharing a living space.

I hope that whether you are hurting personally or not, you'll consider getting this book as a resource for your 'counseling' library. It is sure to help someone before long.

 

2/15/13