Put on the FULL armor of God and STAND UP!

If you read the news today, all you see are examples of how much our secular culture has started to take over and blot out or even crush those who would follow their Christian beliefs.  It is sickening to see how much followers of Jesus Christ are starting to suffer for their beliefs here in the United States, all in the name of what?  Freedom?  For whom?  Fairness?  To whom?

What exactly am I referring to?

How about Kim Davis, the Kentucky Clerk who has refused to issue marriage licenses since the Supreme Court saw fit to change the definition of marriage?  For following her sincerely held beliefs in God and His word she is now facing fines and jail time.  She didn't just stop offering marriage licenses to gay people but to everyone, making sure to NOT discriminate against any one group. Instead of just losing her job, she is being prosecuted, or should I say PERSECUTED?  Instead of giving freedom and fairness to her based on her beliefs, she is being attacked and sued.  Her past mistakes are being dredged up for all to see and judge and she is being called a hypocrite for not always following the Bible.  Hmmmm, I recall a few Bible passes that address that... how about "He that is without sin among you let him cast the first stone" John 8:7 or how about "as it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one" Romans 3:10.  Even Christians are sinners, but that doesn't diminish the truth of the Bible or our attempts to follow it, even in our weakened human state.

How about Villa Rica High School in Georgia?  Just recently the Villa Rica First Baptist Church conducted a mass baptism before football practice.  Video shows some football players and a coach being baptised on school grounds before practice, prompting the group Freedom from Religion Foundation to demand an investigation.  What about the Freedom FOR religion?  This story is too new to have much more detail than that, but for me this situation coupled with the slew of others that are coming forward each week begs the question: how did it come to be that when someone's right to BELIEVE clashes with another's right NOT to believe, it is the person who chooses NOT to believe that comes out on top with the law?  Over the course of time Believers have lost more and more rights and opportunities to profess their faith publicly and now, even LIVE IT OUT publicly.  So I ask again... freedom for whom?

Enough is enough.

Christians- do not bury your head in the sand any longer thinking that this is not your fight.  This IS your fight!  This is OUR fight.  Stand up for faith and what is right, even though it may cost you greatly. Don't listen to those who will tell you that faith and God belong only behind closed doors. Don't listen when the world seems to think that God is optional at best or non-existent at worst.  Don't listen to this secular culture that continues to work toward quashing your right to live your Christian beliefs through the passage of laws that require you to choose between those closely held beliefs and what non-believers say is right.  Stand Up!  Fight!  Do not compromise.  Jesus did NOT compromise for you- Jesus sacrificed ALL for you, against the worst torture and pain and injustice.  He did this all for you without any guarantee that you would ever care.  What will you do now to show our God that you do care, and that you will not turn your back on Him even now when it is becoming harder and harder to follow?

The Lord says:  "And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved"
Matthew 10:22-24

ALSO:
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints"
Ephesians 6:10-18

Friends, now is our time. God has called us to be His. He has worked in your life for such a time as this. Don't be weak and afraid, but put on the full armor of God and stand up. We were not put here to live for man, but to live for our God who loves us and has a place for us in Heaven, our true home. "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?  Or am I trying to please man?  If I were still trying to please man then I would not be a servant of Christ".  Galatians 1:10

Sin turned into Glory?

First of all, I really hate that I've become so jaded that I am so skeptical about everything I read (not just skeptical, but SO skeptical). I suppose that's better than being naive or overly trusting in this world today, but it also takes a bit of the joy out of some things, too. Anyway, I'm going to assume this is a true story and with that assumption say this: Wow.

If you didn't click on the link yet- here is a very quick summary: it is the story of a man addicted to sex. He seeks it wherever he can. Then, he finds God and is saved, but still struggles with it. After confessing about an episode with a prostitute during one of his "slips", his Pastor encourages him to apologize to the prostititute. What results is a perfect example of God using our sin-nature to bring Glory to His kingdom. It's not a long story, you really should read it.

What an amazing testimony of the power of our God to redeem and forgive. What an amazing example of our God using weakness and sinfulness to showcase His glory.

How many of us have felt we are beyond saving? How many of us have felt trapped in our weakness and sin and totally separate from God because of it? How many of us have underestimated or, worse, not even considered how God could work through that very sin and weakness to show His love to us and others?

God is longing to forgive, redeem, and use all of us. Don't let Satan mess with you by allowing that doubt to block your relationship with our Lord.

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst."
1 Timothy 1:15

If you are already saved and have a relationship with God- take heart! We are always going to struggle with sin as long as we live on this earth. It is our reality being sons and daughters of Adam and Eve.  The Bible makes that clear- very very clear, so don't fret and beat yourself up about it:

"For all of sinned and fall short of the glory of God"  Romans 3:23

"Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins" Ecclesiastes 7:20

"For as by one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so that by one man's obedience the many will be made righteous" Romans 5:19

God does not expect us to be perfect.  How do we know that?  Because He sent his son Jesus Christ to die on a cross for us in order that we may be saved and enter His kingdom DESPITE our sinful and wicked ways.  It is a gift from a Lord who loves us deeply.  Accept this give with open arms and open hearts and repent.  THEN- use it to help others enter the kingdom with you.  

If you are not already saved or are skeptical about God- take heart!!  God loves you, too, and as long as there is breath in your lungs it is never ever too late!  God forgives us all, no matter what our sin, and no matter what our age.  I was 41 years old when I accepted Jesus into my heart, I mean REALLY accepted him (I'm the queen of surface level Christians).  I consider myself one of the luckiest people alive that I didn't die before I had a chance at salvation because let me tell you, the things I have done in my life would most definitely land me deep in the pit of hell without it.  

Don't just skate through your life letting "fate" or the power of your own will dictate eternity for you. Consider that God is a real, living God who loves you and pursues you.  How do you know?  You are reading this post, aren't you?  GOD works through people like me, I could never do this on my own power! 

Keep reading about God, keep thinking about God, keep asking the questions that are in your heart.  God will answer, and eventually (hopefully not before it is too late) you will see the truth like I saw the truth, and your life will be CHANGED and will never be the same again.  Thank GOD for that!