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.