Vindicated

 

Evil has been repudiated!

Perhaps the people have finally seen through the lies of the evil one. With the election of Donald Trump, begins a rejection of democrat policies that have been leading this nation down the wide path that leads to destruction. The left’s attempt to force feed insane, woke policies failed as they tried to take too big of a bite of the apple, and the people have decided a change in course was necessary. Just as many of our mainline denominations have substituted social justice in place of Jesus, the democrat party has strayed far from God. When the evil one speaks, they listen and incorporate it into their party platform. As evidence of the left’s rejection of God, when someone shouted “Jesus is Lord” at a Harris/Walz campaign event in Wisconsin, Kamala Harris betrayed her true nature when she told him he was at the wrong place. Additionally, she was the first Presidential candidate to skip the Catholic Al Smith dinner in New York in almost 40 years.

We the people have elected a Republican President and majorities in Congress. This new administration brings traditional values that respect the sanctity of life, follow God, value parental rights, uphold the rule of law, and oppose the mutilation of children. With the mandate of the people, they have been given the authority to roll back the immoral policies that have been blindly accepted by far too many. They have the power to end this nation’s wandering in the wilderness, held captive to a leftist ideology that has unduly influenced society. Now comes the hard part; Having the will to heal the divisions and to bring this nation back from the abyss by passing legislation that codifies a return to Judeo/Christian values. Pray for our elected representatives to have the courage to stand strong for the Lord.

Even though those on the left have earned the ire of many Americans and warrant retribution for the evil they have sown, that is not what our Lord and Savior would have us do. Jesus said, “But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Yeah. Loving that neighbor with the pink hair and nose ring that screams that she hates you and any other hateful, homophobic, transphobic Christian that wants to take away her bodily autonomy. Quite the ask you say?

Without forgiveness, there is no reconciliation. Without grace and mercy, there is no way to bridge that divide. Without extending that hand of friendship, there is no opportunity for healing. If God can forgive someone as wholly imperfect as I, we should be able to be the first to try to mend fences. Try it. Harboring a grudge is giving the evil one a foothold in your soul and elicits nothing but negative emotions. It becomes difficult to spew hate at a person who reaches out in love. Instead of being argumentative, try listening and offering non-judgmental instruction. It is easy to build a wall when you believe that you are in the right and you are certain that the other person is wrong. Jesus called us to make disciples of all nations. Do you want to be an impediment to someone searching for themselves when what they need is a right relationship with our Lord and Savior?

God loves all of His children unconditionally and more than we could ever fully understand. Even that crazed leftist college student that you believe lacks any common sense. There are always opportunities to profess your love of Christ to the lost. Reach out with the love of Christ. That is what this nation needs to heal. Policy decisions are in good hands now. Do not fan the flames of division by gloating. Know that God’s hand was present in our nation to give us a chance to right many wrongs and begin a revival in the United States. Will you be the hands and feet of Christ or will you abandon your responsibility to reach the lost to find Him?

 

 

Upward Mobility

Throughout our lives we are taught to work hard and good things will happen. When you are driven to succeed, you will be more likely to attain your desired outcomes. You may earn that job promotion with its greater salary. You may find that perfect mate. You may go on and purchase your dream house, have your 1.5 beautiful children and live happily ever after. But, once you reach those goals, why does it seem like your life is, somehow, unrewarding and unfulfilled? Why does something always appear to be missing? Why isn’t that success enough? As parents, we always want our children to attain that which we could not, to have a chance at a life that is better than what we achieved. How is it that you are still not as happy as you should be when you accomplish these important worldly goals?

Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” It is so easy to fall into the trap that is this world. It is so easy to look past the gifts God has blessed us with and seek the things of this world. It is so easy to focus on our own wants and desires while placing God on the backburner. We not only conform to the pattern of this world, we often embrace it. Our place in this world is very evident when we realize what is really important. We are disciples of Jesus Christ. We are called to be good stewards of this world that God has blessed us with. Our time here is limited. Our future lies ahead, and the things of this world are not the final objective. The one who has the most toys does not win in this competition. Our Father’s house has many rooms and He wants to fill them with all of His children. But, not all will be allowed to enter. Contrary to what some theologians would have the faithful believe, those who do not believe will not be welcomed into eternal paradise at our Father’s house.

John 1:10-13, “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” Things change, yet, still they remain the same. The very people called upon to serve the Lord, fail to recognize Him. When the leaders of the wayward ELCA embrace their gospel of social justice, they choose to reject Christ, rather than receive Him. By believing that we can make a difference in this world without the guidance of our Lord is nothing short of a fool’s errand. Bring the lost to Christ is the primary mission of the church. Our world is broken because of us and our unwillingness to let go and let our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ lead our hearts and minds. We can no more repair our broken world than we could build a new one. New things promoted by the self-proclaimed enlightened leaders of a new world order of Lutheranism promote a gospel that does not serve the Lord and drives their members that accept these new things, away from Him. Once we are filled with the Holy Spirit and come to understand and believe, our purpose becomes clear. We are to proclaim His glory everywhere and to everyone until all are saved.

Progressive mainline Christian church leaders are driving the faithful and those searching away with their embrace of secular ideals. Seems every time a church leader tries to minimize sin or revise doctrine to gain acceptance from the world, more are confused as to the role of religion in their lives. If it doesn’t matter what we do or believe, there is really no reason to believe in anything but ourselves. As children we need the boundaries provided by our parents, schools and faith. If left to our own devices, our selfish nature takes over and we would be lucky to make it to adulthood. The law is written upon our hearts and our obedience not only protects us, but is pleasing to God. And pleasing the Lord in all we do is the cure for the unfulfilled heart. When Christ is the reason we live, everything is a gift, even those trials and tribulations God uses to mold us. Each and everyone of us deserves to be condemned to hang on that cross. But in the greatest gift ever given, Christ took our punishment, carried away our sin and defeated death. To save all of us unworthy sinners from an eternal death. An act of unconditional love that is simply beyond our understanding. And by simply having faith in the Risen Savior, God grants us eternal life. Romans 2:7-8. “To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.” Seek not to attain worldly wealth, but seek the glory that is the Lord’s. Whatever gifts God has blessed you with, use them to proclaim His glory. Seek the riches of the joy that the love and forgiveness that Christ has given to you. Proclaim His love to the world.

Find Your Strength in the Lord

We can find our strength in the Lord in three ways;
Through the talents he blesses us with,

Philipians 4: 13 “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” No matter the task that is set before us, we can, through our faith in the Lord, accomplish God’s work. Every talent that we possess is a gift from God. Skills that the Lord has given us can truly make a difference in this world. Even those skills that we may view as unimportant may make the difference in someone else’s life. The Lord provides us with the tools necessary to enrich his kingdom and lead others to His Word. It is our responsibility to use those gifts to the glory of our God. Through the Spirit, He provides us with the opportunities to perform His work in this world. Remember the Sunday school song, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!” This song reminds us that we need to share the gifts that the Lord has given us. It is not enough to just put your offering in the collection plate each Sunday. The Lord instructs us in the parable of the talents. Matthew 25:23 “His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.” Do not waste your talents by not sharing with those in need.

With His Word that strengthens us,

Psalm 23: 1 “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” We are the sheep of His flock. Our Lord protects us, provides for us, and nurtures us. But, the Lord does not want us to be the sheep that stand and are led to slaughter. 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5 “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” God gives us the tools to counter the arguments against the knowledge of God and to expose the faulty reasoning of those that would promote a false gospel. If we choose to dwell in His Word, God will give us the counsel required to speak out for Him. Matthew 10: 16, 32-33 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 32 Whoever publicly acknowledges me I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever publicly disowns me I will disown before my Father in heaven.” Our Lord has made it abundantly clear that, as Christians, we are expected to be faithful witnesses. A faithful witness is compelled to stand up for God’s Word, not sit back and be “on the fence” or “not get involved’. Many of God’s sheep are trapped within the ELCA and are being led away from Him. If we do not speak out against this false gospel of bound conscience, we acquiesce to that doctrine and are no better than someone who denies our Lord.

By His love which He shares with us and invites us to share with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

The Lord also charges us to love one another, Matthew 22:37-39 “Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love is a great responsibility. To love someone is to give oneself to them, place their needs before your own and to protect them above even yourself. If we truly wish to love one another, we need to support our brothers and sisters in Christ, not only with our prayers, but in action. Many sheep will be led down the easy path of destruction, by those invoking the terms tolerance, acceptance, and social justice that they use to fuel their ambitions in the secular world. It is not enough to stay true to our faith and remain an island within the ELCA.  As fellow children of God, it is our responsibility to help lead our brothers and sisters back to the narrow road that leads to salvation.