Love Wins!

What is God’s message to a world that is filled with violence and vulgarity? Stop! There is a better way. - Clint Decker

When a man picks up a gun in anger and then points it at his enemy and pulls the trigger – hate wins. When one abuses the levers of power to silence opponents – hate wins. When one spews vile insults at their foe – hate wins. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Returning hate for hate mul­ti­plies hate, adding deep­er dark­ness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness can­not dri­ve out dark­ness; only light can do that. Hate can­not dri­ve out hate; only love can do that.” (Image by Unsplash)

What kind of love can conquer selfish hatred? A love that is pure, holy, undefiled and has never been touched by evil. I speak of a love that comes from another dimension in time and space. A divine holy love that exists in the One who sits on the throne of the universe in the celestial city among the stars. The Lord God created the heavens and earth out of this love, and fashioned man and woman together, but soon evil found its way into the human heart. They rejected His love and embraced the darkness. Eventually, evil took hold of the world and hate abounded everywhere. Then in time, the God of light and love chose a people and began to teach them about Himself.

He told them, “…it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand…from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 7:8) He also taught them to love Him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might…and keep…his commandments always.” (Duet 6:5, 11:1) And He taught them to love one another, “…you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18) Then at the right time, He revealed His marvelous love to the world on Christmas Day, “For God so love the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) For three years Jesus went about manifesting the love of God through His teachings, signs and wonders. But hate raised its ugly face and sought to silence the voice of love and truth. Anger, violence and wickedness nailed Jesus to a tree and buried Him in a tomb. Then three days later, the love of God came bursting forth from that grave. Love won!

Today, the message of God’s love and truth continues around the world. It is a love unlike any other. It is loyal, sacrifices, it is pure, exposes evil, disciplines and corrects, overcomes evil with good and is a love that forgives. The song, “The Love of God” says it best, “The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell; it goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell…O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure: the saints’ and angels’ song!"

This love of God compels us to love others, to love as He loves, especially those who are the most difficult. For Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34)

What is God’s message to a world that is filled with violence and vulgarity? Stop! Do not let hate win. There is a better way. Quit returning evil for evil. The love of Jesus has shown us a different path. Turn from the darkness and toward heaven’s light and love. See Jesus lifted high upon a cross. See how He rose from the dead for you. Call out for a touch of His grace and mercy. Do it this very hour, then watch His divine love be poured into your heart and be changed forever. Love wins!

A prayer for you – Lord God, let us behold your divine love. Show us afresh the wonderful cross. Then help us to love as you would have us to. In Jesus' name. Amen.

The Good and The Bad in 2025

God is not finished with America. In the face of our disobedience, His merciful arms remain open wide through the glorious cross of Christ. - Clint Decker

The great college basketball coach, John Wooden, once said, “Without proper self-evaluation, failure is inevitable." Why? Because one needs to know the state of things based on a given standard, whether they have succeeded or failed. Without evaluation one has no idea where they are headed or how they are doing, and therefore they will face failure at some point. So let us evaluate 2025 according to God’s standards, and see how we did. (Image from billmuehlenberg.com)

1. Record low birth rates. In July, a report came out stating our new birth rate is 1.6 children per woman. This is a record low and far beneath the population replacement rate of 2.1. This is alarming! It communicates that young people are rejecting God’s plan for marriage and family. Our young are instead remaining single, moving in together outside of marriage or having no children. Experts predict this trend will continue for the next 75 years.

2. Assassination of Charlie Kirk. On September 10, while Charlie Kirk was holding a microphone on a college campus, and preparing to answer a question about mass shootings, he was shot and killed before a live in-person and internet audience. Millions around the world watched in horror. Why? For his message. The killer and those who supported his cowardly act, rejected Charlie’s biblically principled message. This is deeply concerning because it communicates how millions of Americans support violence against people who courageously speak God’s truth on controversial moral issues.

3. Record illegal immigration numbers. During President Joe Biden’s administration at least 8 million illegal immigrants entered the United States. A record number. This was terribly concerning, but more so, has been the evangelical church’s response to President Donald Trump’s effort to find and deport those illegals. Church leaders protested these efforts, declaring the biblical mandate to welcome the stranger, while deceptively neglecting to mention the pain and suffering mass illegal immigration has brought upon millions of families.

In 2025, our nation has sinned against God in these and in many other ways. For we have justly suffered with God’s hand of judgement against us. Yet, in the face of His justice, we saw His mercy.

1. College campuses. In February, God led a woman to organize a worship event at Ohio State University. During winter temperatures over 6,000 students showed up, heard the gospel, cried out to God and a couple thousand turned to Jesus while many were baptized in the back of rental trucks. This effort was duplicated at multiple college campuses in 2025.

2. Mass baptisms. In June, God led a man to unite a remnant of faithful churches to preach the gospel, call people to repent of their sins and then be baptized in the name of Jesus. That effort resulted in hundreds of churches joining together to baptize nearly 30,000 people across America.

3. The Charlie Kirk effect. In September, immediately following Charlie’s death, God miraculously began drawing people to Himself. Many churches reported a 15% to 30% increase in attendance, while Bible sales rose by 36% in September alone. Thousands went to church for the first time, testified to a new faith in Jesus, were baptized, attended prayer vigils across America, and over 100 million heard the gospel around the world at Charlie’s memorial service.

Praise God for His undeserved mercy. He once said, “I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me…I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people…” (Isaiah 65:1-2) God is not finished with America, nor any nation, nor even you or me. In the face of our disobedience, His merciful arms remain open wide through the glorious cross of Christ. As we move into 2026, let us have hope in this. Confess your sins before God, turn from them and yield yourself fully to Jesus that you might walk in the fullness of His blessings.

A prayer for you – Lord God, we confess our national and personal sins. Forgive us, O God! Cleanse us and make us holy. Whatever it takes. Change us, that we might glorify you in all we do in 2026. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Choosing Hope in a Moment of Crisis

Over 1 million women annually make a decision to end their pregnancy, and over 60% chose to do that by getting pills through the mail, instead of driving to a clinic. And unfortunately, upwards of 30% of those women will suffer an injury because of their choice. - Clint Decker 

Olivia left home for college during the summer to pursue her dreams. It was hard for her parents to say goodbye. It was tough for her too, because she loved her dad and mom a lot. She also said goodbye to her youth pastor that had been such a big help through so many things. (Image from Freepik)

Within a few days after classes began, she met Lucas. They hit it off right away and things moved fast. Too fast, as they were spending a lot of time alone together. A few weeks after dating, she started feeling like something was not right. She panicked about what it might be. After several days of wrestling with the idea, she took “the test.”

“Oh no!”, she gasped. “This was not supposed to happen!” Oliva’s mind raced, thinking what her parents, her church and others might think. She grabbed her phone and started searching for answers. Soon she found herself staring at a screen that provided an option that would take care of everything. “No way!” she thought, “This goes against everything I have been taught.” But as she sat there, she told herself, “I have to do this. There is no other option.” Oliva filled out the online form in her dorm room, and days later she received a package in the mail. Nervously she opened it, pulled out the pills and held them in her hand while she read the instructions in how to end her pregnancy.

Last year over 1 million women like Olivia made that decision, and over 60% chose getting pills by mail, instead of driving to a clinic. Upwards of 30% of women will suffer an injury because of their choice. And college age women, like Olive, make up 66% of those ending their pregnancy.

Why do they do it? Some are not ready for parenthood, seeing how a baby would interfere with college studies, work or other pursuits. Other women are already single moms and cannot afford another child and others know they are carrying a baby who would have life-long disabilities.

For those who are pregnant and facing the same decision as Olivia, there is a better way, there is hope. The first step on this path is a woman recognizing she is carrying another life inside her. It is not just a “fetus” or a “blob of tissue”, but another human life. Pursing an ultrasound will show her viability, like a detectable heartbeat, a sign of life. It will also reveal the gestational age of the baby, to see how far along the pregnancy is, and will show the location of the baby, to see if it is developing inside or outside the uterus.

Hope is also found in adoption. There are between 1 to 2 million couples waiting to adopt. When a woman chooses not to raise her baby for whatever reason, there are numerous loving parents who stand ready to help. Have hope for yourself and hope for that little life inside you.

What about God? What does He want? God says to you, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…” (Jer. 1:5) The Bible also declares, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:13-14). Since God is the Creator of all life, why would He want a doctor, mother or father to end what He created?

When a woman is facing a crisis pregnancy, it is an overwhelming experience. Yet, God tells her, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5) Why? Because when you trust Him, He promises to be with you. Choose Jesus, choose life and He will provide for all your needs. Today, if you need help call Heartbeat International at 1-800-712-4357.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray for young women who are facing the biggest decision of their lives, wondering if they should keep their baby or not. Help them to turn to you and find help in their hour of need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.