Oh Christian, Have You Been Born Again?

Even though I was a pastor’s son and had been in church since I was three, for the first time in my life I was seeking God on my own. – Clint Decker

Even though I was a pastor’s son and had been in church since I was three, for the first time in my life I was seeking God on my own. One morning as I was praying, suddenly it felt like a flash of light that beamed through my soul. Something had happened to me. I sensed instant peace, joy and love like I had never known. Then while at work I started weeping as the presence of God came over me. Soon I started listening to preachers on the radio, bought study books to help me better understand the Bible and began talking with others about Jesus, along with many other changes. (Image by Point of Life Church)

I had become born again.

This idea came from Jesus out of a conversation He had with a man named, Nicodemus. He was a gifted and well-known religious leader in Israel. He heard Jesus teach and became curious, so Nicodemus sought out Jesus saying to Him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” (John 3:2) Jesus responded, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (Jn. 3:3).

Jesus was aware that Nicodemus, nor His own disciples, had heard Him speak of this before, so like any of us would have done, Nicodemus asked a very logical question, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” (Jn. 3:4)

Jesus explained how He was using the birth of a child as an illustration, “…unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (Jn. 3:5-6) Jesus was communicating how there is human birth (flesh) and there is spiritual birth (Spirit), and for someone to enter the kingdom of God, they must go through a spiritual birth.

What does born again mean? First, it is an illustration of life. All of us were born under the curse of sin, which means we were born spiritually dead. Therefore, to enter the kingdom of heaven we need to come alive. We need the supernatural life of Jesus to come dwell within us. Second, being born again, means that since we have been re-born, we also have become a new person. The new life Jesus has created in us has given a new way of thinking and living. Our values, choices and beliefs have all changed. Third, being born again means we have been re-born by the Spirit, not the flesh. Being re-born is something only God can do. Going to church, getting baptized, taking the eucharist, going through catechism – all those are good things, but they are done by you. You cannot be born again through those efforts, but only by the power of God. Jesus addressed this with Nicodemus, “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (Jn. 3:7-8)

How can you become born again? Jesus told Nicodemus “…so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” (Jn. 3:14-15) Jesus said that He will be lifted up on a cross to die and rise again for all people, and it will be done to provide a way for all who are dead in their sin, to be re-born. And when they turn from their sin and trust in Christ with all their heart, they will be made alive!

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray for spiritual leaders like Nicodemus and those who regularly attend church. May they humble themselves to examine their hearts if they have been born again, and if they have not, may they call upon you and be changed today. Help them to turn from religion and to Christ. In His name. Amen.

When I Forgave My Father

When my father suddenly passed away, I had no regrets. There was nothing but peace in my heart. Years earlier, I had forgiven him and accepted him as he was, not as I wanted him to be. – Clint Decker

My wife and I watched Ragamuffin, a movie about the life of Rich Mullins, a musical prodigy, and the difficult relationship he had with his verbally and emotionally abusive father. We also saw another movie, I Can Only Imagine, about the life of accomplished singer, Bart Millard, and the difficulties he also had with his father, who physically abused him. (Image by alivecounseling.com)

The movies connected with audiences because so many have stories of broken relationships with their fathers. Maybe similar to Rich Mullins and Bart Millard, it was abuse. For others their fathers neglected them while being gone a lot for work or hobbies. And for some, perhaps they grew up without their dad, because for whatever reason, he was gone and they never knew him or just had no relationship.

On the outside, it looked like I came from the perfect family. I grew up in a Christian home where my dad was a pastor, we went to church regularly and my parents never divorced. Yet, inside the walls of our home, it was a different picture.

My father was a complicated man who had strained relationships with nearly every member of our immediate and extended family on different occasions, including me. During a pivotal moment in my life, I excitedly shared that God had called me into the ministry. I anticipated words of encouragement. Instead he commented, “You’re going to need to go to college, and you weren’t a very good student. I don’t know how you’re going to make it.” From that moment until I left for college my dad was the greatest challenge I faced in my call to the ministry. The day I left home was one of the darkest days of my life. While driving away from my home in Fort Collins, Colorado, to begin my ministry studies, I screamed and pounded my steering wheel in a fit of rage.

However, that dark day turned to hope by the providence of God. Little did I know what God had in store when I arrived at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas. One of my classes was Pastoral Counseling. Every day it seemed like Dr. Larry Fine was talking directly to me about the anger towards my father. That started me on a 26-year journey of learning to love my dad. That journey reached a milestone in my 30s when my dad and I were talking on the phone and came near the end of the conversation. It became quiet. Silence. My dad was still there. He had not hung up but was unable to speak. He was weeping. Eventually, he gathered himself and whispered, “I love you son.” Then I heard a click. It became the first memory of my father telling me he loved me. It was a powerful moment I will never forget.

On November 13, 2017, my father suddenly died of pancreatic cancer. When he passed away, I had no regrets. There was nothing but peace in my heart. Years earlier, I had forgiven him and accepted him as he was, not as I wanted him to be.

The Scripture says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:2) At one point in life my disobedience angered God and I deserved His judgement. Yet, He led me to turn from my sin and place my faith in Christ. He truly showed me mercy and undeserved forgiveness.

Consequently, as God showed mercy to me, I learned that I needed to demonstrate that same mercy to my father. God showed me that by His enabling power, I could forgive and show my father the same kindness God showed me in Christ.

There are too many who are living with unforgiveness toward their dads. If that is you, you do not need to live that way anymore. Humble yourself and ask God for His divine help to love and forgive.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray for those who are angry toward their fathers. Enable them to forgive and release their fathers to you. To accept and love him just as he is. Do for them, what they cannot do for themselves. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Scheme to Silence the Truth

Because truth confronts the conscience and is offensive to the prideful, people scheme to silence it. They deceptively counter it with a phony love. – Clint Decker

The Cathedral of Hope, in Dallas, Texas, is a church that serves the LGBTQ community. The church outlines its purpose saying, “In a world where Christianity has been associated with intolerance, exclusion and hate, [our mission] is to proclaim Christ through faith, hope and love.” (Image by Unsplash)

Before ascending to the Roman Catholic Church’s highest office, Pope Leo XIV wrote about immigration explaining “Jesus Christ, loving everyone with a universal love, educates us in the permanent recognition of the dignity of every human being, without exception.”

Planned Parenthood promoted a blog post about a particular woman’s abortion where she revealed, “It has taken me a long time to get here, but I can now honestly say that I am grateful for my abortion experience. It taught me that even when love is hard, it is always the right choice.”

These quotes highlight three of the hottest topics in our nation, and each is framed around the same concept: love. Nearly every divisive moral issue of our day has supporters using the language of love where you will often hear part of the Great Commandment quoted, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39) This is the Theory of Phony Love.

The theory frames God’s moral truth as negative while contrasting it with a positive message of phony love. The alleged negative message is, “Marriage is between a man and woman,” while the phony positive message is “Everyone is free to love whom they choose.” The presumed negative message is, “The only way to God is through Jesus” while the misleading positive message is, “We are all God’s children.” The theory depicts God’s moral truth as dividing, hateful and exclusionary, whereas the message of phony love is purportedly unifying, inclusive and compassionate.

Jesus was a victim of this theory. Despite being embraced by the common people, the political and religious leaders did not like Jesus because He continually exposed their evil ways. He once publicly declared, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single [convert], and when he becomes a [convert], you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.” (Matthew 23:15)

The leaders failed to silence Him so they resorted to a deceptive scheme to have Him executed. They went before the authorities falsely stating, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” (Luke 23:2) And they also made claims that, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.” (Lk. 23:5).

The Theory of Phony Love portrayed Jesus’ teaching in a negative light, alleging it was divisive and dangerous for the nation. At the same time the enemies of Jesus deceivingly presented themselves in a positive light as doing what was supposedly unifying and good for the nation.

This ancient strategy first appeared in the Garden of Eden where God laid down His moral law for Adam and Eve. There, Satan came to thwart God’s efforts by depicting God’s message as bad, and conversely, presenting Satan’s own message as good for them.

When it comes to right and wrong, and good and evil, it is ultimately a spiritual battle over God’s moral truth. It is the standard by which men and women are to live, and one day will be judged by.

Because the truth confronts the conscience, is offensive to the prideful and reveals the need for a Savior, people scheme to silence it. They deceptively counter it with an intolerant, selective and a half-truthed phony love.

Their feel-good message is void of Jesus’ moral truth and amazing grace. For when the humble hear His truth, turn from their evil ways and to Christ, they are rescued from the penalty and power of their sin. They become liberated from the shackles of their evil passions. They come to experience the peace and forgiveness of Christ.

Be wise and reject phony love, while knowing and living out the transforming power of Jesus’ truth and grace.

A prayer for you – Lord God, give your followers wisdom and guard them against deception. Empower them through your Spirit to stand firm, as they continually share your unchanging and beautiful truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Jesus was God – Truth or Fiction?

A good man cannot forgive your sin. A miracle-worker cannot remove your guilt and shame. A powerful teacher cannot redeem your life from eternal death. Only Jesus can. – Clint Decker

According to Barna, 92% of Americans believe in the historical existence of Jesus. And on a global perspective, all major world religions have something to say about Him. The Bible, in Christianity, gives Jesus’ own Words, where He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) The Quran, in Islam, says, “The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, is the Messenger of God.” (4:171). Rabbi Shraga Simmons says that, according to Judaism, “Jews do not accept Jesus as the Messiah.” (Image by Unsplash)

World religions, historians and billions of people agree in the historical existence of Jesus. Agreement gathers around what He did calling Him a good man, miracle-worker or powerful teacher. However, when we move from what Jesus did to who He was – there division arises.

The main point of tension is over the claim of His deity. His own statements speak for themselves on the subject. In one of His most straight forward assertions, Jesus said, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9), or put in other words, “When you see me, you see God.”

Did Jesus’ claim lead to His crucifixion? His fiercest opponents will agree He was murdered, but why it happened is where the tension is. Those who conspired to put Him to death give us some insight. Once when they were talking with Jesus, they picked up stones to kill Him. Jesus challenged their reasoning, to which they responded, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” (John 10:31-33) Though Jesus escaped from their presence, His opponents actually helped people to know who He truly was.

What are the facts? Jesus was crucified because He openly stated the truth of His deity for all to see and hear. However, what His opponents did not realize, is that His crucifixion would be the ultimate test of His claim. If He was truly God, how could He die and never live again? How could He allow Himself to be tortured to death, then put in a tomb to rot away?

Through a providential turn of events, the very thing Jesus’ enemies used to destroy and be rid of Him, became the greatest proof of His deity. On Friday afternoon, while Jesus’ bloodied and bruised body hung on the cross, the historical account states, “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.” (Matthew 27:50) Just like any other human being, Jesus died and then was put into a tomb. His enemies were right. His claims proved false. Friday night and Saturday was a dark time for His followers. But then on Sunday morning as two women went to see Jesus’ grave, they encountered an angel that was sitting on Jesus’ tombstone, which had just been rolled away. The angel said, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen.” (Matthew 28:5-6)

Jesus rose from the dead and nearly 2,000 years later He still lives. His resurrection validated all His claims that pointed to the truth, that He was God in human form.

What if an atheist who agrees in the existence of the historical Jesus, also believed He was God? What if a Muslim who accepts that Jesus is God’s messenger, also believed He was God? What if a Jew believed He was truly the Messiah? Jesus’ resurrection changes everything.

But what about you? A good man cannot forgive your sin. A miracle-worker cannot remove your guilt and shame. A powerful teacher cannot redeem your life from eternal death. Only Jesus can.

Do not just believe these facts about Jesus, but turn from trusting in yourself to fully trusting in the living Jesus with all your being.

A prayer for you – Lord God, open the eyes of people to the truth of who Jesus is. Bring skeptics to ask you their questions. Help them to understand and lead them to trust in your only Son. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Plea of a Foster Child

There are over 350,000 children in foster care, from infants to teenagers. Tens of thousands are on waiting lists in state after state hoping to be adopted. – Clint Decker

His mother gave birth to him while she was in prison. Consequently, as a newborn he was immediately placed with the state. Literally from birth, Davion Navar Henry Only was constantly in foster care. As the years went by, being shuffled from home to home and family to family, Davion had a dream. He dreamed of being adopted before he aged out of the system at 18. Time was getting short, so he shared his dream with his case worker and asked if she could find a church where he could make his desperate appeal. In sharing his story with the congregation he pleaded, “I’ll take anyone. Old or young, dad or mom, black, white, purple. I don’t care.” Then he politely stated, “And I would be really appreciative.” (Image by Unsplash)

Davion’s words quickly spread beyond the church and touched the hearts of millions. Soon Davion was adopted and achieved his dream.

Across the United States there are over 350,000 children in foster care, from infants to teenagers, just like Davion was. Tens of thousands are on waiting lists in state after state hoping to be adopted. They all have their own story in how they ended up in foster care. Some were abused, neglected or abandoned by their parents. Whatever the reason is, when children are taken from their homes and parents with law enforcement or state officials and end up in foster care, it is a traumatic, life-changing experience.

History’s first recorded adoption took place due to the death of a parent. In ancient times lived a godly man named Abraham. He had a brother, Haran, who died early in life. Upon Haran’s passing, he left behind an only son named Lot. Without hesitation Abraham his uncle and his wife, willingly took him in and looked after him throughout his life.

Abraham was simply doing what the Lord his God would want him to do. For the Bible says, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit [or care for] orphans.” (James 1:27)

Why does God concern Himself with children like this? Because He created each of them and is the architect of the family. He created children to be raised in loving and godly homes. However, when tragedy strikes from the death of parents, or dads and moms make selfish and immoral decisions that endanger their children, boys and girls can end up without their parents. It is not supposed to operate this way, and it is no fault of their own. The children are a victim of circumstances beyond their control. Therefore, God’s heart is filled with compassion towards those who are suddenly without a family. As a result, He urges His followers to be His hands and feet to them. The Scriptures say of God that He is the “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows…” (Psalm 68:5)

Adoption is at the heart of God’s glorious gospel. His good news to the all the world is that He is the Creator of all and a Father to those who come to Him in faith and obedience. And in that sense, everyone who turns from their sinful ways and places their full trust in Christ, God adopts as His son or daughter and becomes their Father. And through His gospel when we become His child, we also become part of His family, the church, for it is the family of God.

Today, prayerfully consider becoming a foster parent or adopting a child. For others, perhaps you have lost your parents due to death or have gone through a difficult childhood. Right now, place your faith in Jesus, God’s only Son, who died and rose again for you. Become a child of God, be adopted into His family this day.

A prayer for you – Lord God, place a divine calling upon some to open their homes to foster children or to adopt a needy child. And if some feel like they have been abandoned, lift their eyes toward you and bring them to receive you by faith that you might become their adoptive heavenly Father. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Confronting Dangerous Lies

The world must have men and women of understanding who will courageously confront deceptive lies. – Clint Decker

The Great Fire of Rome took place in 64 A.D. during the time of Roman Emperor Nero. Following the horrific fire, Nero falsely charged Christians for the fire, then gave orders for their arrest and execution. The public supported the baseless charge and barbaric murders of thousands of Christians. (Image by unsplash)

During the 1930’s, when Adolph Hitler had taken the helm of Germany, he began a smear campaign against the Jewish people. Unjust laws were passed against them, Jewish books burned and boycotts were organized. Eventually it evolved into the genocide of millions of Jews with the public’s support.

Sun Tzu is known as a successful Chinese military strategist around 5 B.C. Some believed he wrote, “The Art of War,” where he stated, “All warfare is based on deception.”

Both Nero and Hitler used this tactic in their war on Christians and Jews. Who did they deceive? Their own citizens. In the Bible, King David spoke of being a victim of this kind of warfare, “For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause.” (Psalm 109:3-4)

Merriam-Webster defines deception as “the act of causing someone to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid.” In the simplest terms, deception is lying. And who embodies this more than anyone? The Devil. Jesus said about him, “…there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44) You can be sure, where there is deception, there is the Devil. For he has been doing this type of work since the beginning of time.

After God created Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, He laid down moral boundaries for them. Soon the Devil came gently and persuasively, taking the truth God spoke to them and twisted it to get Adam and Eve to doubt God and reject Him; which they did. Afterwards Eve accurately stated what the Devil did to her, “The serpent deceived me.” (Genesis 3:13) And what was the effect? Incredible evil! It caused separation from God, death and destruction not only upon Adam and Eve, but all humanity following them until this very day.

Note where responsibility fell. If you read the story, you will find that though the Devil was doing the deceiving, both Adam and Eve were held responsible for their actions. Why? Because the deception involved violating God’s moral law, and despite being presented a package of lies, in the end, they made a conscious choice to disobey God.

Nero and Hitler engaged in massive scale government deception schemes, strategizing to lead astray their entire nation to bring death and destruction upon particular groups of people. There were those who actively participated, doing what they knew was wrong while others sat by quietly, and allowed the tragedies to move forward without objection.

At the beginning of the gruesome actions of the Roman and German governments, the citizens could not see into the future. This is why we need wisdom and discernment now, more than ever.

Today, due to the advancement of technology, deceptive messaging is all around us like never before. This is where the world must have men and women of understanding who will courageously confront deceptive lies through boldly speaking God’s truth. This is what Jesus, our Lord and Savior did. This also was the work of the Old Testament prophets and New Testament apostles. Confronting deception can lead to the salvation of souls and to the saving of human lives and entire nations from death and destruction. However, the cost is great. The prophets and apostles were persecuted, Jesus was crucified, and those who stood against Nero or Hitler, like Germany’s Dietrich Bonhoeffer, were killed.

Be the one our world needs. By the power of God, stand for what is wise, right and good no matter the cost.

A prayer for you – Lord God, raise up wise men and women that can understand the times in which we live. Raise up people of courage that are willing to risk it all while doing the godly work of standing for truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

“Wives, Submit to Your Husbands.” No Way!

The only thing I am going to submit to my husband is a complaint. – Anonymous Wife                    

A husband and wife were having a disagreement and stopped speaking to each other when suddenly, the husband realized that the next day he would need his wife to wake him up at 5:00 a.m. for an early morning business flight. Not wanting to be the first to break the silence he wrote on a piece of paper, "Please wake me up at 5:00 a.m.," and he left it where he knew she would find it. (Image by pexels)

The next morning the man woke up only to discover it was 9:00 a.m. and he had missed his flight. Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife had not awakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed that said, “It is 5:00 a.m. Wake up!"

When it comes to marriages, we can do our best to try and find some humor in the tension, even though at the time it may not be so funny.

A wife once jokingly said, “the only thing I am going to submit to my husband is a complaint.” What was her comment in response to? A Bible verse that states, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:22) This verse can quickly strike up heated conversations in churches, academia and in politics.

Am I stepping on a cultural landmine? No, rather our society is. When we debate away God’ truth for the home, we are assuring its destruction. What the Scriptures say about husbands, wives and children is the cultural life preserver we need to help save our marriages and families.

Year after year, 40 to 50 percent of first-time marriages end in divorce, and for those who marry a second or third time, the likelihood of divorce climbs higher and higher. Do you know the percentage of children that will end up living in divorced homes? It is 40%, which amounts to millions of our kids. We have this mess because we are not building marriages and families God’s way.

Let me go back to Ephesians and read a little further, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church…” (Eph. 5:22-23) There is more, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…” (5:25) And God does not leave out the children, “…obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” (6:1) Can you see what God is communicating? Order and responsibility.

The concept came from our Creator. He made each of us with equal worth, but with distinct roles. It reflects the Holy Trinity. God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit are separate but one with different responsibilities. The Spirit submits to the Father and the Son, while the Son submits to the Father.

Likewise, God built the family. He appointed the husband as leader, the wife under his leadership, the children under the parents and all under Jesus. This also reflects divine order, and was God’s perfect plan before evil and lawlessness came into the world causing chaotic disorder. Then husbands began dominating their wives and children, some being passive and others putting their work and hobbies first. Wives started controlling their husbands and putting their children first, and children rose up in defiance to their parents. It has been, and still is, a battle for selfish control.

Jesus is the answer to this chaos. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, yet He humbled Himself, by submitting to the Father’s will to suffer, die and rise again. Why? So that we might be made new. It is not about male dominance or patriarchy. It is about the family coming under the authority of Christ the King with a willing and loving heart, as modeled for us through the cross.

These are hard truths, and will not be easy to follow, but through Christ it is possible. And today it can start with just one member of the family. Will you be the one? 

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray for the families of America. End the chaos and the divorce epidemic. Bring husbands, wives and children to yield themselves before the one true King, and bring love, peace and forgiveness in their homes. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Greatness of a Woman

I invite the people of the United States to display the [United States] flag…as a public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country. – President Woodrow Wilson

On May 8, 1914, Congress passed a joint resolution to establish the second Sunday of May as Mother’s Day. Then on May 9th, the President signed the proclamation saying, “I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States…invite the people of the United States to display the [United States] flag…as a public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” (Image by pexels)

The proclamation said nothing about cards, candy and roses, but did encourage the flying of the American flag. Why? Because of the noticeable and indispensable patriotism of America’s mothers to their country.

During the years 1776 to 1914 America fought in numerous wars. The Revolutionary War (1775-1783), War of 1812 (1812-1815), Mexican-American War (1846-1848), American Civil War (1861-1865) and the Spanish-American War (1898). They combined to loose over 650,000 American soldiers, the majority of those being young men.

When President Wilson, congress and the American people celebrated the first Mother’s Day, they were thinking of the United States’ 138-year history, and the sacrifice of tens of thousands of mothers and wives that had become widows and single moms because their husbands and sons chose to go and fight for America.

This patriotic spirit continued in the hearts of American mothers following 1914. Just three years later they were called upon again during WWI (1917-1918). There, thousands more of young men perished on battlefields leaving a new generation of grieving mothers and young wives.

Since 1776, how could young husbands with children have gone off to defend this nation without courageous wives and mothers staying behind to manage the home and care for their children? Thousands of these women never saw their husbands come home and became widows at an early age.

The role of women in our nation has changed much since 1914. Today, America’s landscape is filled with wives and mothers serving throughout the military, in the church, business and elected office. The value of the service they provide in and outside the home has not changed. I think we can say, there would be no America if it was not for the sacrifice of our mothers.

What makes a great woman? Is it the mom that supports her son risking his life on the battlefield? Is it the hard work of a wife and mother to care for her husband and children? Is it the determination of a single mom who works two jobs to provide for her kids? We should applaud these types of women, but greatness goes much deeper. God tell us that, “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30).

What is charm and beauty? It is all outside stuff. The form of a woman will grab the eyes of a man and grant her favor in his presence. However, it deceitfully masks the true condition of her soul. Additionally, it is all temporary as age, sickness and the trials of life will gradually sweep it away.

A woman may focus on all the outside things to measure her worth or success, but the fear of God is something of the heart. It refers to combination of a woman who respects the majesty and power of God, while being committed to keeping His commands. This kind of a woman may be overlooked by some, but she will be welcomed with honor into the presence of Jesus, who is the King of kings and Lord of lords. This is what makes a great woman! A nation filled with women like these will be blessed. The Bible scholar Matthew Henry penned, “The fear of God reigning in the heart, is the beauty of the soul [that] lasts forever.”

A prayer for you – Lord God, thank you for the women that have sacrificed their husbands, sons and themselves for this nation. I pray you will raise up a new generation of young women that will not seek the presence of a man because of her beauty but will desire a holy heart to please her Creator. Raise up women who will not look to others for their worth but will seek to walk in the fear of Lord all the days of their life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Man Who Changed The World

Jesus did not just change the world, He altered history, caused the rise and fall of nations and effected the eternal existence of billions of souls. – Clint Decker

Johaness Gutenberg, a German inventor, built a printing press in the mid-1400s that historians say brought about an “information age.” In 1455 he printed Europe’s first-ever book, a Bible. The printing press changed the world. (Image by Istock)

The United States Constitution was adopted on September 17, 1787, and provided a unique system of government unknown to any nation on earth. The opening lines of the constitution state, "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." The founding of the United States changed the world.

Though these are consequential events in world history, neither has impacted humankind like the incarnation and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. He did not just change the world, He altered history, has caused the rise and fall of nations and effected the eternal existence of billions of souls.

The incarnation of Jesus occurred in Israel between 6 and 4 B.C. According to Webster’s dictionary, incarnation is a word that describes “the embodiment of a deity or spirit in some earthy form.” In particular, it refers to the birth of Christ, when the Lord God took on human form and became one of us. This is called the Doctrine of the Incarnation. It is said of Jesus “…the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) The incarnation is the moment in history when the God who made the heavens and the earth, made Himself a simple and normal looking man who came to live among us, in order to reveal who He is and deliver the world’s most important message directly to us.

The resurrection of Jesus took place outside of Jerusalem about 33 A.D. Before this miracle, day’s earlier Jesus was arrested and tried by authorities on false charges of blasphemy. The high priest demanded of Him saying, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” (Matthew 26:63) When Jesus told them the truth, they responded with rage, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy.” (Matt. 26:64), Subsequently they immediately ordered the sentence of death upon Him. The day of Jesus’ crucifixion, history records as Good Friday, where He died a sacrificial death for the sins of all humanity; past, present and future. Then for three days He lay in a borrowed tomb. But early on Sunday morning, history’s most renowned miracle took place. Jesus had risen Himself from the dead and walked out of His tomb. He is alive and still is today!

Why is Jesus’ incarnation and resurrection the most monumental events in world history? Why is Jesus the most significant person to ever walk the earth? Jesus own words confidently and boldly state why, because “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jn 14:6).

Jesus declared He is the way. All mankind is searching for meaning, purpose and direction. Jesus says to the whole world, “Come, follow me.”

Jesus declared He is the truth. Everyone longs to know what is right and wrong and how to live a life free from guilt and shame. Jesus is the standard for truth, balancing the scales of justice and raising up high the banner for holiness in an unholy and evil world.

Jesus declared He is the life. Every man and woman hungers for the intangible things that money, power and success can never buy – life, real life. Jesus proved He is the source and giver of real and lasting life.

A prayer for you – Lord God, help us to see Jesus as more than a good man. More than a moral teacher. Let us see Him as the Son of the living God who died and rose again that we might have new life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Who is The World’s Most Polarizing Figure?

From the moment of His birth to the present, Jesus has consistently topped the Who's Who List for the world's most polarizing figure. – Clint Decker

It is not who you might think. A local news outlet in Campbell County, Kentucky, reported that in 2024, graduating high school senior, Micah Price, told his classmates at the beginning of his commencement address, “the honor, the praise and the glory [goes] to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is the light, He is the way, the truth and the life. Class, [and] everyone in the audience today, I’m here to tell you if you don’t have any of those things in your life, you can’t seem to find the answer, my Lord and Savior is your answer. He will give you the truth, the way and the life.” Then Micah proceeded with the rest of his speech, sat down and the program continued. However, as students were receiving their diploma, things were different for Him. The Superintendent withheld giving it to Micah. Why? One mention of Jesus’ the school district okayed, but when Micah went off script talking further about Him that was not okay. (Image by Pixabay)

David Limbaugh, the author of Persecution put it in very simple terms, "Jesus is offensive." Jesus Himself explained this by saying, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before…you." (John 15:18). From the moment of His birth to the present, Jesus has consistently topped the Who's Who List for the world's most polarizing figure. On the one hand, every Sunday, including the seasons of Christmas and Easter millions gather to worship and adore Jesus as Savior and Lord. But on the other hand, there are nations across the globe where His followers are imprisoned, killed or culturally ostracized.

What is so offensive about Him? His name. Strong’s Lexicon states the Hebrew origin of Jesus’ name as meaning “Yahweh is salvation.” This communicates how Jesus is Redeemer and Savior. Peter, one of Jesus’ key Apostles declared, “…there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Jesus said of Himself, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) This naturally leads us to ask, “What has Jesus come to save us from?”

When mankind was created by God, we were made perfect and walked in a beautiful relationship with Him. But then we disobeyed God, became separated from Him and came under a curse. It causes all humanity to be born with a bent toward evil, pride and selfishness. Consequently, we are subject to the Lord God’s anger. However, due to our Creators grace and mercy He did not leave us to ourselves. On Christmas Day we celebrate how He sent His only Son to save us from our waywardness. On Good Friday, we remember that He sacrificed His life for all our wrongs, and on Easter Sunday we recognize that He rose from the grave conquering Satan, evil and the darkness within us. His victory over death has become our victory too.

Jesus is offensive because many view themselves as generally good and reject His message that they need saving from sin. Therefore, when our moral failings are pointed out, it becomes a point of contention. He is also offensive due to His teachings of exclusivity claiming that “He is the only way to God,” that “Jesus is the only Savior” and that “Forgiveness can only come through Him.” In a world of many religions and spiritual options, these messages of Christ offend. Jesus is also rejected because of His divine justice. When He speaks of hell and the judgement of God coming upon those who refuse Him, it is uncomfortable.

What will you do with Jesus? One day He will bring the whole world to its knees. The Scripture says, "God has highly exalted him…so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…" (Philippians 2:9,10,11) Today seek Him, know Him and receive Him.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray people will come before you with their questions or objections about Jesus. And may they see Him high and lifted up above all others and recognize their need for Him as Savior and Lord. In His holy name. Amen.

God’s Message to The Atheist and Agnostic

I was interested in the concept of faith in something. This sounds so bleak when I say it, but we need some delusions to keep us going. 

                                      – Woody Allen

Legendary filmmaker Woody Allen has written and directed nearly 60 films and won four Academy Awards. In 2010 he released the film, “You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger.” Dave Itzkoff, a New York Times columnist, interviewed Allen about the film and his life. Itzkoff noted the supernatural is important to the movie, which opened the door for Allen to comment about his view of faith. Allen said, “I was interested in the concept of faith in something. This sounds so bleak when I say it, but we need some delusions to keep us going.” Allen is not alone in his sentiments. The Gallup organization conducted a religious survey finding that more Americans agree with Allen today than they did nearly 70 years ago. In 1956 96% of U.S citizens identified with the Christian faith. Since then, that number has plummeted to 68%. In 1954 0% of Americans considered themselves atheists, agnostics or people who just simply were not religious. However, for the last seven decades the number has skyrocketed with 22% claiming that spot. (Image by Unsplash)

For Allen and the growing number of Americans that view religion as not important or delusional, they have it backwards. Having no faith in God and putting faith primarily in oneself is the ultimate delusion. It is a grave mistake to believe that all you need is yourself – your own goodness, education, wealth or personal effort. The wisdom writings in the Bible address this, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5) It is also eternally dangerous to believe God does not exist. The Bible strongly states, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” (Psalm 14:1)

Throughout history there have always been people that did not believe in the Lord God. Either they did not believe in any god or believed in a different and false god. The position of Allen is nothing new.

Throughout history how has the one who made the heavens and the earth responded to such deeply held views? Has He turned His back on them and refused to engage at all or lashed out in anger? Not at all. God Himself says to the atheist, agnostic and all who do not trust Him, “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) When God says “reason together” it means He is intentionally reaching out to help you understand Him.

How is He doing that? Through His Son. He has revealed Himself in Jesus, who stated very clearly for those wondering who He was and who God is, "Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.” (Jn. 12:44-45) Do you want to know if God exists? Look at Jesus.

Christians talk much about the death and resurrection of Jesus. What does it reveal about God? It is written that Jesus “was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” (Is. 53:5) In the face of your arguments against God, He sees within you a sickness that comes from a life of sinful choices, and while you debate against Him, He has sacrificed Himself on a cross that you might have His perfect peace.

Woody Allen commented on death in his interview, “I’ve experienced that thing where you wake up in the middle of the night and you start to think about your own mortality and envision it, and it gives you a little shiver.” In the face of death and dying the Lord God points all people to His unique Son who said, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die." (Jn. 11:25-26).

A prayer for you – Lord God, some may wonder if you exist. Today, reveal yourself to them through your unique Son. Let them see who you are in His teaching, miracles, signs and wonders. In His holy name. Amen.

The Battle for Moral Truth

The battles we face today are fact versus feeling, reality versus idealism and truth versus lies. – Clint Decker

A university student once listened to his professor give an unplanned lecture on why God does not exist, then afterwards he asked the students to write a paper on the question, “Does God exist?” The Christian student felt if he wrote a dissenting viewpoint, it could cost him a good grade. (Image by Unsplash)

An employee was working late one night when he witnessed his manager swipe some cash from the company safe. The manager spotted him, then instructed him to keep quiet about it. The next morning when the owner discovered the cash was missing, he told employees to come forward with any information. The employee wrestled with what to do, feeling he could not betray his boss who had been so good to him.

A young woman was asked out for a date by a charming and handsome young man. As the evening progressed, she felt such a connection with him, feeling like he was the perfect guy. While they were having conversation during dinner though, she noticed how he asked their server for his third beer. She knew about the dangers of alcohol all too well, as she had dealt with alcohol abuse in her family.

A pastor was once asked to share a message on what the Bible says about abortion. However, he knew there were at least two women in the congregation who had abortions and was concerned how they might feel about such a message.

The battle for moral truth is a war zone, and it becomes intensified when the truth conflicts with our feelings for others. The battles are fact versus feeling, reality versus idealism and truth versus lies. These struggles are the grounds for building a life of courage or ruining a life because of cowardice.

Jesus is our prime example for learning how to courageously stand for truth under fire.

Once some religious leaders approached Jesus to ask Him an accusatory question, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” (Matthew 15:2) To which Jesus immediately turned the tables and asked them, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?” (Matt. 15:3) It was more of a rhetorical question, as Jesus did not give them an opportunity to answer. Instead, He publicly charged them in a bold rebuke saying, “…you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites!” (Matt. 15:6,7)

It was such a startling and concerning exchange that the disciples approached Jesus privately and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?” (Matt. 15:12) How did Jesus respond to the concerns of His disciples? He did not back down or apologize at all. Rather he stated, “Leave them; they are blind guides.” (Matt. 15:14)

The charge the disciples made toward Jesus was serious. They were saying He was being a spiritual stumbling block to the religious leader’s relationship with God. Their question revealed how they had a greater concern for the Pharisees than for the truth of Jesus. This is the problem with our culture. We have equated feelings to the same level as truth, and if the truth is offensive to others we might go so far as to reinterpret the Bible to our liking, or just ignore it all together.

When we are not honest with people and dance around the truth, it is the greatest disservice we could ever do toward someone. Even though we may have avoided conflict, we have put their life and soul in jeopardy.

Conversely, when we speak the truth, is the most kind, gracious, humble, loving and compassionate thing you could ever do for someone in the eyes of God, regardless of their response and regardless of what happens to you.

Jesus once said, “Blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” (Luke 7:23)

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray you will help us to be more concerned about the souls of others, than the feelings of others. Help us to never fear speaking your holy truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God, Religion and The Human Soul

You were created to worship God, and it is through worshiping Him that you will find answers to life’s deepest questions, discover who you are and what you were made for.

– Clint Decker

Since our founding in 1776, most Americans have always been religious. This remains true nearly 250 years later. According to the most recent Pew Religious Landscape Study 40% of Americans are Protestant Christians, 19% are Catholics, another 19% do not identify with any religious group, 6% are agnostic, 5% are atheists, 2% are Jewish and 1% each are Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist. This means 62% of our nation’s 340 million people identify with some religious group. (Photo by Pexels.com)

Why are so many of us religious? Because we were made that way. The Bible says, “God created man in his own image…male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27) Since God Himself is a spiritual being, so are we. The evidence is found in our soul. It is said about Rachel, that when she was dying, “…as her soul was departing, she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin.” (Gen. 35:18) The soul lives on after our body returns to the way of the earth. But the soul is more than that. We ARE a soul and not just a body. It is written, “…those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41)

Because we are these spiritual souls, we naturally ask probing questions. “Who am I?” “What is my purpose in life?” “Is there a God?” “Is there life after death?” “Why does God allow suffering?” All these and thousands more questions like them reflect our spiritual existence. Nothing else God created wonders about such things. The religions of the world point to this as well, for you were created to worship, and it is through worship you find answers to life’s deepest questions and discover who you are and what you were made for.

What is worship? The Bible says, “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!” (Psalm 95:6) To worship is to humbly submit yourself to something greater than you. That “something” is where you go for wisdom and guidance. It is where you go when facing times of crisis or when you are looking for meaning in life. Some worship through organized religion, while others may reject religion all together and even argue against the idea that God exists. But does that mean they do not worship? Stephen Hawking, a physicist and cosmologist once said “I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail.” Hawking relied upon his own reasoning and his own mind for answering the questions of life. No matter if it is religion, nature, the universe or ourselves – our soul’s worship at the altar of something.

Considering that there are so many religions, and even those who reject God and religion; who is right? Since we were made to worship, is there one Being we were created to honor and submit our lives to above all others? The Bible says about Jesus, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through him and for him.” (Colossians 1:15-16)

You were made by God and created to worship Him! He sent His one and only Son from heaven to earth to show you Himself that you might believe in Him with all your soul. And your soul has tremendous value. Jesus once declared, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26) Jesus died and rose again for you. Your precious soul is of utmost importance to Him. Turn from your ways. Believe in Him with all your being. Come and worship!

A prayer for you – Lord God, in a world of so many competing religions and those who reject it all, show us the way. Let us see you high and lifted up above them all. Teach us your ways that we might understand and worship you with all our soul. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

A Message of Hate or God’s Amazing Love?

What people call “hate speech” because they are offended by divine truth, God calls perfect love. 

– Clint Decker

“Hate speech.” That is what one church attendee put on social media in response to my Sunday morning message titled, “The Destruction and Restoration of The American Family.” Then later it was censored by being removed from the church’s Facebook page. (Photo by Pixabay)

Since the 1980s the word “hate” started to become a politically and culturally charged word in the United States and around the world. Today we have “hate crimes,” “hate speech”, “hate groups” that have had a dramatic impact on our speech both in public and private.

What exactly is “hate speech?” Many public universities define this for students and faculty. Kansas State University, which is close to where I live states that, “Hate speech is speech that attacks a person or group on the basis of attributes such as gender, ethnic origin, religion, race, disability or sexual orientation.” Definitions like this should be concerning regarding potential bias. Can a man ever be a victim of hate speech due to his gender or only a woman? Can a white person ever be a victim of hate speech due to their race or only a person of color? Can a heterosexual ever be a victim of hate speech or only a person who is from the LGTBQ community? These are legitimate questions.

Policies and laws that define hate speech have incredible influence, but does that mean they are correct? Just because someone accuses you of hate does that mean they are right? Who is the arbiter of truth on this? I tell my nine-year-old great-granddaughter, “Pursue truth. Ask questions. Do not always take a person’s word for it – even mine. Look things up.” And then I teach her what is the source of all truth, the Bible.

Jesus spoke, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies…” (Matthew 5:43-44) Hating means you detest or have a strong hostility toward someone, which is strongly condemned. Hate is also defined through contrast. Jesus says to love instead of hate. Love means having a longing in your heart for someone that is demonstrated through selfless sacrificial service, especially toward your opponents.

Can true love cause offense? The pastor of the church I preached at decried my message when he texted me, “God’s love is for all.” We are so grateful for the blessings of Christ like the gift of forgiveness, the hope of heaven, realizing there is no more condemnation, being a child of God and so much more. These evoke feelings of love, joy and peace among all. However, when pastors only speak of the blessings of Christ to the exclusion of the cross of Christ, they mislead their congregations.

The cross is ugly. Jesus’ death and resurrection revealed how sinful we are, and the divine sentence of judgement all mankind deserves. When we speak of these things it naturally causes offense. Jesus expected this resistance when He said, “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” (John 3:20)

What people call “hate speech” because they are offended by what heaven’s merciful light has exposed, Almighty God calls perfect love. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son…” He lovingly gave His unique Son for the ugliness of our sinful disobedience, that we might humble ourselves, turn from our ways, place our faith in Christ and be spared God’s eternal wrath. Then in response, the marvelous blessings of Christ are lavished upon us without measure.

Let people call it what they choose but understand this. When you speak accurately about the uncensored truth of God’s Word, and do so with the right spirit, it is the most beautiful and merciful act of love you could ever do for a precious soul.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray you will search our hearts for any hate toward others or even toward the hard truths of your holy Word. Then cleanse us from this darkness and fill us with your amazing love that we would believe your truth, and love and forgive our opponents. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Valleys of Defeat to Summits of Victory

When you look beneath the surface of Coach Wooden’s winning resume, you can see he was not always a winner. He has known tremendous defeat.

– Clint Decker

College basketball fans live for March Madness. It is about this time a particular name is remembered each year – Coach John Wooden, the legendary coach of the UCLA Bruins. (Image by optimism.ucla.edu)

He is remembered for the coaching success at UCLA, that most sports historians say will never be matched or likely even rivaled. It is an untouchable set of records. The ones most well known are the ten NCAA national championships in 12 years, 88 consecutive wins over four seasons and 19 conference championships.

Many fans of Coach Wooden might say he has been a winner throughout his entire life. As a player, he won championships in high school and college. As a coach, he had an 81% winning percentage covering 40 years of coaching along with the UCLA championships.

However, when you look beneath the surface of Coach Wooden’s resume, you can see he was not always a winner. He has known tremendous defeat. During the state title game of 1927 for Martinsville (Indiana) High School, he missed a key shot and lost the championship. Wooden says, “Losing that game was the most disappointing thing that happened to me as a player.” He started coaching a few years later in 1932 at Dayton (Kentucky) High School. His first season was six wins and 11 losses. It took him 28 years of coaching through the high school and college ranks before he won his first title. Then at UCLA in 1964, he captured his first of many NCAA national championships.

Like Coach Wooden, before we stand on the summit of victory, we often walk through the dark and lonely valleys of defeat. We see this as a pattern in the lives of historically significant people, including the giants of faith in the Bible.

It is written about Noah that he was “…a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.” (Genesis 6:9)

Noah was called by God to build a boat (called an ark) that would be large enough to fit multitudes of animals, along with his family. Then afterwards torrential rains would fall upon the earth and flood it as a form of judgment because of the wickedness of humanity.

Some scholars say it took Noah upwards of 75 years to build the ark, which was constructed during a

a lawless time. The Bible says, “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Gen. 6:5) This meant it was a very long 75 years. For the world at this point had never seen rain, nor a boat, so when Noah explained what he was doing it was likely he faced questions, doubts and ridiculed by his godless enemies. Yet, Noah persisted through it all, “By faith, Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark…and became an heir of righteousness.” (Hebrews 11:7)

When God closed the door after Noah boarded the ark and the rains started – it was victory. Then 40 days later when the rain stopped, the floods receded and Noah walked out of the ark to become the father of a new humanity and a new earth – it was victory.

The journey of Noah was not easy. God had him walk through some dark valleys before he could climb to the summit of victory. Why does God operate this way?

One word. Faith. God wants us to depend solely upon Him. Consequently, He takes us through circumstances where we are forced into a choice: God-dependency or self-dependency.

We thank God for the cross of Jesus. He modeled for us God-dependency on His journey to be crucified. And when He rose again from the dead, He provided a way for us to do the same. When we turn from ourselves, while walking through the dark valleys, and trust in Christ alone – we are lifted up to the summit of victory by the grace of God.

A prayer for you – Lord God, you know the dark valleys we are walking through. Help us to stop trusting in ourselves and turn from self-dependency and toward God-dependency. We cannot, but only you can. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God and America’s Obesity Crisis

In the 1970s 13% of Americans were considered obese. Today nearly 70% are either overweight or obese. We have a problem!

                                            - Clint Decker

Based on government data in the 1960s and 70s around 13% of Americans were considered obese while less than 1% were defined as morbidly obese. However, in the 1980s and 90s waistlines began to dramatically increase. Today, according to USAFacts, obesity rates have tripled in America over the last 60 years with nearly 70% being either overweight or obese. (Image by myhealthcare.co)

This has given rise to over 250 health problems like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, strokes, fatty liver diseases, some cancers, fertility issues, mental health problems and more. In 2016 over $260 billion was spent on obesity related healthcare, while in 2024 it increased to $385 billion.

We have a health crisis in America!

Where is the church and Christian ministries on this? Are we not pro-life? This crisis is leading to obesity-related deaths by the thousands and chronic related sicknesses by the millions. Our families, churches and communities are all touched by this.

Does God have anything to say about our health?

Jesus said, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31) This refers to loving and serving God with your whole being, which includes your body. For believers, taking care of our body is an expression of our love for God. For when we do, we can more effectively serve others, whereas obesity limits us in different ways. Additionally, it is written “…whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) This is communicating that in all things, including what we eat and drink, we are to do for the glory (or honor) of God.

The goal of living a healthier life is first about God, second about others and last about you. It is not primarily about YOU looking good in the mirror or YOU feeling good about yourself. The Bible says, “Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!” (Ecclesiastes 10:17) What is the purpose of eating and drinking? It is not for personal pleasure or self-indulgence, for that is where many of our problems start. Rather, it is to produce the strength and energy we need to serve God and others.

What are some practical ways we can fight against obesity?

1. Live with belief. Believe it is possible for you to eat and live a healthier life. No matter what your past failures have been. No matter what your existing health problems are. No matter what your genetics are. Believe that you can overcome.

2. Live with a plan. Turn your belief into action. Seek out a practical diet and exercise plan.

3. Live with a goal. Whatever you aim at is what you will hit. Set small reasonable weight loss goals.

4. Live with common sense. Make better choices. Eating smaller portions and fruits and vegetables is good. Eating larger portions and piles of cupcakes is bad.

5. Live for the glory of God. Do not live with guilt over your weight, nor compare your body to anyone else’s. Fix your eyes on Jesus and live for His praise alone.

6. Live with a persevering mindset. Know this will be extremely difficult but determine that you will never quit! Never!

Jesus came to die and rise again that we might no longer be enslaved by the things of this world. He created you and He knows the battles you face. In Christ, you have all you need to live a healthy life.

A prayer for you – Lord God, we ask for your help to begin living a healthier life. We need your enabling power. We are weak, but you are strong. Help us O God and grant us success. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

The Lord God vs. a Higher Power

Place your Higher Power up against the Lord God and see who wins

– Clint Decker

“Tom, do you believe in God?” I asked. “Yes and no,” he responded. “I believe there is a God, but I choose to believe in my Higher Power.” Most Americans still believe in God, but the numbers have been on a steady decline for decades. A Gallup poll reported in 1944, that 96% of Americans believed in God, but 78 years later in 2022 it dropped to a record low of 81%. Interestingly, when pollsters in another survey added a question about belief in a Higher Power, the numbers jumped to 88%. (Image by Clinton o. from Pixabay)

Billy Wilson, founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, included God in the 12 steps he wrote in 1938. Step 5, he penned “Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.” Before publication others advised him to describe “God” as a “Higher Power” that it might be more inclusive of those who are atheists, agnostics and nonreligious, so step 2 was written as “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”

Alcoholics Anonymous Cleveland writes about this problem with God, “The word God means something different to just about everyone that is having difficulty with it.” The consensus of a Higher Power being something greater than yourself, covers a lot of area. It can be the god of your choosing like Allah, Buddhism, Hinduism or the God of the Bible. It can also be any type of force, universal energy, some inherent goodness, nature or a variety of other spiritual higher powers.

Many find comfort believing in a Higher Power because it gives them an alternative to how they were raised, brings flexibility to their beliefs and allows them to live how they choose. It is also not as offensive. Yet, in many cases their spiritual power has no clear description of who it is, nor what it does or does not do.

God bluntly speaks to this kind of belief, “They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.” (Psalm 115:4-8)

What is God’s alternative then? He says in verse 9, “…trust in the Lord!” He explains this more, “There is…one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6)

These are not my words, but God’s, who is the Supreme Being of the universe. He holds it all together. He is the Higher Power, for there is no one higher nor more powerful than Him. Yes, for many it is offensive because God’s words are exclusionary. That makes many want to resist, push back and argue against it. However, is it true? Test it. Place your Higher Power up against the Lord God and see what you come away with.

No matter if you are struggling with an ongoing addiction, the aftermath of a tragedy or overwhelmed by a crisis – God is your only true hope. He alone has what you need to overcome and persevere. The Bible says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord…He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

How can we know this truth for sure? Because He sent His unique Son from heaven to earth to reveal Himself to all the world. Jesus is described as “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) Jesus is what you and many others are searching for. Let Him be your Higher Power.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray people would recognize you as the One True God. Help them with their questions and doubts. Reveal to them who you are. Show them your only Son. Bring them to believe in you with all their heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Where is Your Life Headed?

Today, you can choose to get off the wide path of destruction and step onto the narrow path of eternal life. What will you choose?

- Clint Decker

At 16 years old, Justin was a hard worker, loved to help others and had a passion for politics. That is why a candidate for Governor took a risk and asked him to be a County Chairman for his statewide political race. He wound up doing a tremendous job. He helped the candidate win the county, which also provided the highest voter turnout in the state. (Image by Pixabay) 

Tommy, also 16 years old, led a much different life. During one weekend, he played a role in slashing 34 tires. He became caught up in a bizarre tire slashing competition with other teenagers. People began filing complaints with the police, who launched an investigation. Soon Tommy’s mother found out, and with her direction, he voluntarily surrendered himself to police and was arrested.

These are two boys, on two paths filled with two kinds of choices. One destructive, one constructive. Across America, everywhere we go, every town, whether big or small, is filled with Justins and Tommys. The two paths bring very different results. One is a constructive life demonstrated by generosity, humility, integrity and a selfless spirit that puts the needs of others above self. The other path is a destructive life. It displays a narcissistic spirit which puts the needs of self above others. It shows impatience, arrogance and rudeness.

God’s Son, Jesus, spoke of these two paths, “Enter by the narrow gate” He said, “For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14) He said there is a constructive path that leads to eternal life through Him. However, it is narrow, hard to follow and has few people on it. Why? Because there is a great cost. The path requires immense personal sacrifice. It demands that one love the Lord God with all his heart, with all his soul, with all his mind, with all his strength, and love others as he loves himself…including his enemies. That is costly, but the rewards are extravagant and immeasurable.

Jesus said there is another path, but it leads to eternal destruction, is wide, easy to follow and has many people on it. Why does it have so many? Because the choices are easy. You simply satisfy all your wants, needs and desires. You do not resist your urges or passions. However, the consequences are massive. One views the wide path as bringing freedom, but it actually brings slavery. One becomes a slave to their own destructive choices. It produces pain, sorrow, regret, guilt, shame and loneliness. Unfortunately, every one of us is born on this path. It is the default for all of us, because we were all born with selfish hearts.

So, what do we do? Each path represents a choice. God says to us, “Choose you this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15). It is never too late. Jesus came from heaven to earth and shed His blood on a cross, that you might be set free. He died and rose again to provide you a chance at a new life. Today, you can choose to get off the wide path of destruction and step onto the narrow path of eternal life. What will you choose?

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray you will examine each of our lives. Which path are we on? Show us O, Lord if we are on the wide road toward destruction. Open our eyes and help us in this moment to repent of our sin and trust in you alone for salvation, that today might be the start of new day for us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.