I Doubt You REALLY Believe in God

If 83% of people believe in God, then why do we have so much crime and immorality? Shouldn’t their belief impact their behavior and communities? – Clint Decker

83% of U.S. adults believe in God, according to a Pew Research article published this year. Despite numbers declining over the decades, it is still very high. During 30+ years of ministry in rural areas throughout the Great Plains, I have met many people who are a part of the 83%. Regulars at the local bar, businessmen, county jail inmates, greeters at the church, friendly neighbors across the street and politicians - they all believe in God. (Image by Freepik)

I have an honest question. If that many people believe in God, then why do we have so much crime and immorality? I think I have a point. Should not this belief make a difference in people’s lives, impacting their behavior and thereby their communities?

If I am right, then we are left to conclude one thing. There must be a misunderstanding about what it really means to believe in God.

The Bible is the original source for understanding the whole idea of belief in God. It did not originate from a pollster or rise from philosophical thought. A casual reading of the Bible reveals where it came from. The famous John 3:16 states this idea, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Additionally, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (Jn. 6:35) Then in another place, a man is told to, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31)

When we look at what the Bible says on the subject of belief, five truths surface. 1) Believing in God is synonymous with a belief in Jesus. Since He is God’s Son, to refuse to belief in Jesus becomes a pointless belief, for Jesus said, “And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.” (Jn. 12:45) 2) Believing in God is the recognition of Jesus, and accepting by faith His deity, virgin birth, death and resurrection, though you may not understand it all. 3) Believing in God is to trust in Jesus, meaning you are willing to entrust your whole life into His care and come under His authority. 4) Believing in God is to follow Jesus, meaning you are willing to do what Jesus and His Word says, no matter the cost—even unto death. 5) Believing in God is union with Jesus, meaning Christ is in you and you are in Him.

Too often when someone says, “I believe in God”, they are talking about an intellectual belief, or more accurately, it could be called an “acknowledgement.” They acknowledge God’s existence, and some details about who He is. And the same could be said about Jesus. This type of strange belief is far away from the Bible’s correct understanding of it.

People like the 83% were directly addressed in the Bible, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder.” (James 2:19) The Devil himself and the demons of hell acknowledge the existence of God, but they go no further. They refuse to accept the supreme authority of Christ and come under His Lordship. They refuse to turn from their sin and place their full trust in Jesus. They refuse to reorder their life according to the ways of God.

The belief most have is a mere acknowledgement which does not lead to a changed life and a moral transformation, where the old has gone, the new has come because of the Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Today, move past a mere acknowledgement of Jesus and embrace a full-on, radical belief in Christ. Go beyond the superficial words of religion, and by faith, yield yourself totally to Him.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray you will bring people to move past the acknowledgements of Christ, and to a true biblical belief in you. May they humble themselves and come under your Lordship and follow you as their supreme authority in all areas of their life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Admit it. None Of Us Are Good Enough

Millions are convinced the good things they have done for the church, others, or their efforts at trying to do right, should mean something to God. – Clint Decker

Jesus once told a story about two men who went to pray. One was a high standing religious man, while the other was a despised tax collector that had extorted money from many. The religious man prayed, “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.” (Luke 18:11-12, Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay)

However, the other man prayed much differently. “The tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’” (Lk. 18:13)

Jesus was widely known for telling stories. They were not told just to entertain, illustrate nor to communicate some generic spiritual truth. Instead, they often had a hidden or very direct meaning. His stories (parables) would point out evil in the hearts of some in His audience which revealed God’s judgement upon them.

His story began with this statement of explanation “[Jesus]…told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt.” (Lk. 18:9) Then the story concluded with Jesus saying, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Lk.18:14)

The differences between the two men are clear. The religious man saw himself as a good person because of the good things he did. He was not like everyone else. He was better. Meanwhile, the tax collector saw himself as nothing. There was anguish in his soul, while shamefully admitting all the wrongs he had done. He believed he was so undeserving of God’s forgiveness that he felt he could do nothing but plead for His mercy.

Today, there are millions just like this religious man. Multitudes feel good about themselves because of their efforts at doing good things. They counter the wrongs they have done with imaginary moral insurance to soothe their conscience. They are convinced the good things they have done for the church or others, or upright moral behaviors they have tried to live by, should be pleasing and acceptable before God.

And like the religious man, they view themselves as better than the other guy, or even better than they once were. They are not like the drug dealers, like the ones convicted for indecent liberties with a child or like the slimy and corrupt politicians. They see “those people” as the ones who need help, not themselves.

These attitudes are dangerous! They produce an annoying and obnoxious sense of pride that rouses the anger of God. He hates it! This is why the spirit of the tax collector pleased God. Because he had a humble heart. He recognized the true condition of his soul, “None is righteous, no, not one…no one does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:11,12) The tax collector could have pointed to some good things he did in his life, but he chose not to. His sin. His failure before God was so overwhelming, he could not. One million good things could never wash away the dirtiness of his eternal soul. He believed that his only option was to plead for the mercy of God and hope He would hear and respond.

Praise God! This story from Jesus, points to His glorious cross. For the prideful, God will give them what they deserve, but for the humble of heart, He will graciously grant them what they do not deserve. His unmerited kindness will grant complete and total forgiveness for all their wrongs.

Walk in the humble spirit of the tax collector, call out for God’s mercy upon your soul. Then because of Jesus death and resurrection, freedom will be yours.

A prayer for you – Lord God, examine our hearts. If we have an ounce of pride, point it out that we might turn from it. And let us have the spirit of the tax collector. Bring us to humble ourselves before you and plead for your mercy upon our souls. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What Are You Searching For?

What burden are you carrying? If you want to find the peace you have been searching for, it is found in a person. Jesus. – Clint Decker

There are millions of people carrying heavy burdens across our world. They cannot sleep at night and wake up tired. They have regular appointments with their counselors. Their attempts at hobbies and exercise are strategies to find relief. What burden are you carrying? If you want to find the peace you have been searching for, it is found in a person – Jesus. (Image by Freepik)

Once He was invited to dinner at a religious leader’s home. Other leaders also came, and together they sat down at the table and began visiting. Jesus’ fame as a preacher had risen quickly, so word had spread where He was. A certain prostitute who was impacted by Jesus and His ministry learned of His whereabouts. She made her way into the house and found herself standing before Jesus and the other guests. She stood without saying a word, then began weeping. So much, that her tears fell on Jesus’ feet. Seeing that, she bent down and began wiping the tears off with her hair.

During the whole process, the religious leaders were incensed at the woman and Jesus. Noticing this, Jesus spoke to the dinner host and addressed his attitude toward her, then eventually turned back to the woman and said, “Your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7:48) That incensed the leaders even more. Then He spoke one final word before she humbly slipped out, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” (Luke 7:50)

This prostitute was looking for something, just like all those preachers in that room, along with all the people in her city, and those like you and me. Her life’s search took her into prostitution, but for others it goes in different directions.

When the prostitute heard of Jesus, something awakened in her that no doubt said, “This is it!” And she overcame the barriers before her to get to Jesus and when she got there, He did not disappoint her.

She found forgiveness for all the wrong she had done! The guilt and shame she had been trying to outrun was finally washed away. How did that happen? Faith. Jesus said, “Your faith has saved you.”

It was her faith that provided forgiveness. It is interesting to note, what Jesus did not say. He did not say anything about religion, morality, goodness or education. Just faith. He did not refer to anything about personal willpower, having a positive attitude, perseverance or working hard. Just faith. And what is faith? It was her belief, trust and confidence in Jesus.

We are all naturally wired to be independent and achieve. We want to earn what we have. Our culture is set up that way, from our parents and high school coaches to our professors and bosses. “Work hard and succeed,” is what we are told. Faith in Jesus is opposite. This woman simply had faith, and her life was instantly transformed. She believed Jesus was the Son of God. She believed she had done wrong and needed forgiveness. She trusted that Jesus had the power to forgive. She was confident Jesus was sufficient for all she needed.

Then Jesus said, “go in peace.” No doubt the immoral life she had led weighed on her. She not only needed forgiveness, but peace. Often the foolish things we do cause great amounts of stress and anxiousness. In one moment, her simple faith brought forgiveness and peace. Lay your burden down at the feet of Jesus. Have faith in Him.

A prayer for you - Lord God, I pray you will help people to end their search. Bring them to lay down their burden at the cross, and find forgiveness and peace in Christ through simple faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Tonight, Your Soul is Required of You

As we talked to person after person, we witnessed how the disaster became a pivotal moment toward the real priorities in life. – Clint Decker

Have you ever read The Parable of the Rich Fool? It is an ancient story Jesus once told. Crowds would often follow Him, and people would ask questions. A young man once asked Jesus to get involved in a personal matter and make his brother divide the family inheritance with him. In response, Jesus made a profound statement, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15, image by Freepik)

Jesus laid His finger on the real issue with the young man. He loved the “stuff” of life too much.

Jesus illustrated His point with a story. He told about a wealthy farmer that had a tremendous harvest. As a result, the farmer said to himself, “‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” (Lk. 12:17-19) But in the midst of his reasoning, Jesus tells the crowd how God spoke to him saying, “‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” (Lk. 12:20-21)

The story communicated that life is more than the possessions we own. Jesus effectively made the point when He told how the farmer was confronted with his own mortality, and how that all he worked for and owned would stay behind when he entered eternity.

My wife and I witnessed the devastating losses people faced following one of the worst hurricanes in American history. While doing relief work, we saw families who lost everything. All their possessions were suddenly ripped away. As we talked to person after person, we witnessed how the disaster became a pivotal moment toward the real priorities in life.

Why wait to discover this when facing a crisis? Our stuff can sometimes become a distraction. As a result, we may live for today and neglect tomorrow, or in other words, live for what is important to us, rather than what is important to God.

Maybe we do not live for God because we do not know Him. The farmer got a wakeup call to that when God declared, “This night your soul is required of you.” Since He has power over life and death and the present and future, we ought to heed His warning. Let us make knowing God through Jesus our highest priority.

A prayer for you - Creator God, we are sorry we have made things more important than people. We are sorry we have put more trust in the things of this life, rather than you. Take our heart. Wash it clean of all our sin. Become the number one priority in our life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Gambling Away Your Paycheck

Gambling is portrayed as a fun recreational activity that also provides needed public funding for education or other worthy causes. It is deceptively framed as good for society, but at its core gambling is a morally wretched vice. – Clint Decker

“Until my mid-30s, I went to casinos every now and then, maybe once a year. It was fun. But then…” This is the story of a single mom with two kids who was working as a medical professional but had a severe gambling problem. She managed to do it okay until a life crisis, then she started gambling more. Then with the rush of an occasional win, she would go deeper. (Image by Freepik)

During her lowest points, she writes, “I spent a six-figure court settlement in the span of three months and lived in seven places in less than a year. I dated men and essentially had sex for money so that I could continue to gamble. It got to the point where every time I drove back to the casino, I’d think about ways I could hurt myself. The wanting to die consumed me. I thought, ‘If I win, I’ll live. If I don’t, then I can always commit suicide.’ I tried to commit suicide three times.”

Nerd Wallet found that in 2023, 62% of Americans engaged in some form of gambling. In 2024, people forked out $172 billion dollars of their paychecks and retirement savings at casinos, on sports betting, scratch-off lottery tickets and other forms of gambling. Today, the scale of gambling is at a level like never before due to technology and public acceptance.

The gambling industry in partnership with government and business conspired together to produce a masterful public relations strategy. Together they portray gambling as a fun recreational activity that also provides needed public funding for education or other worthy causes. Consequently, it is deceptively framed as good for society, so it is given more access and acceptability. And through it all, the church remains silent.

On the surface it all seems innocent, but at its core gambling is a morally wretched vice. This evil is built on a flashy, well-orchestrated scheme of stealing. Mesmerized by the “get-rich-quick” idea, gamblers give the card dealer, the convenience store clerk or the online website their hard-earned money in return for a false hope, or an occasional jackpot.

This devilish vice is destroying millions of lives. One report I read stated that gambling costs the American economy $14 billion dollars annually, that includes court and healthcare costs along with credit losses to businesses due to gamblers unpaid debts and more. Additionally, gambling can lead to job losses, bankruptcies, fraud, depression, suicide, alcohol and drug abuse. Do you get the picture? Ask any family member of someone who has a gambling problem if they think gambling is just a harmless recreational activity that is for the good of the economy and jobs.

The Scripture is spot on when it comes to gambling saying, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:10). The love of money drives this evil of gambling, and its misplaced love has caused people to wander away from their jobs, families and God.

Stop saying, “Just one more time,” or “Just a little bit more.” Admit you have a problem and need help. And the first person you need to go to, is God. He is waiting for you to turn to Him. He sent Jesus to die and rise again for you. However, your love for money and “the rush” from gambling has pushed Him aside. If things remain as they are, then one day you will have to answer to God for what you are doing. But there is still time, and according to His grace and mercy, He offers you forgiveness through the cross of His beloved Son. Receive Him now. Then after you do, look up Gamblers Anonymous to get the additional help you need.

A prayer for you – Lord God, open the eyes of the public to see the dangers of gambling. Let them see the harm it is doing to people’s lives. I pray as well for those caught in its grasp. Deliver them this day. Do a miracle and rescue someone from its tentacles through the power of Jesus. In His name. Amen.

The Fight for Justice

Everyone, it seems, is passionately declaring this or that as just or unjust. It can be confusing. We must be wise and discerning and not easily deceived in our fight for justice. – Clint Decker

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” wrote Martin Luther King, Jr in his letter from a jail cell in Birmingham, Alabama. Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years imprisoned for speaking against South African apartheid, stated in a speech, “As long as poverty, injustice, and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.” And long before King and Mandela, the eloquent Fredrick Douglas said on the 24th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, “Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob, and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.” (Image by Unseen Histories on Unsplash)

When the overwhelming powers of evil are against us, it is part of human nature to rise up and oppose those forces. This is the fight for justice, and throughout human history there have been many noble people who inspired others to stand for what is right.

But today, the fight for justice, or what many call social justice, has a fogginess that has descended upon its battlefield. There are new words and phrases, and new definitions for old words that make our modern call for justice puzzling and divisive. So let us go back to the basics. What exactly is justice?

Speaking about God, the Bible says, “He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.” (Deuteronomy 10:18) Then God Himself declared, “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24)

The whole concept of justice comes from God. It is part of who He is. He is holy, eternal, sovereign, and many other things, which are called His attributes. And among those, God is also just. In simple terms it means God is “right” in all He does and thinks. God is right in His judgements, decisions and spoken Word. The places where we see the justice of God is in His relationship with people, and in His expectations of how people should treat one another.

The measuring stick or standard of God’s justice is God Himself. It is what He deems is morally right or wrong, good or evil, just or unjust. The terms “justice” or “social justice” are used much today, especially in higher education, the church, and politics. Everyone, it seems, is passionately declaring this or that as just or unjust. It can be confusing. We must be wise and discerning and not easily deceived…even if someone uses Bible verses to make their case.

Let us ask three questions whenever we hear voices stir up the masses by alleging some form of injustice like racism, dehumanization, inequality, Christian nationalism or something else. Consider these three principles of godly justice.

1. Is the accusation of injustice truthful? Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Seeking the truth is paramount in the call for justice. We must resist immediate judgements based on what the crowds say. Take time to sort through the facts, and be willing to accept the truth, wherever it may lead.

2. Is the accusation of injustice impartial? The Scripture says, “For God shows no partiality.” (Romans 2:11) The pursuit of justice is the pursuit of truth, and that pursuit must be impartial. The call for justice must never favor one race over another, or one economic class over another. Justice must see the truth but be blind to favoritism.

3. Does the accusation of injustice consider the heart? “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) As we pursue the facts and examine if there be any partiality, we must also consider the motives of the heart. Too often we accuse people of injustice without regard to their intent. Instead, we judge.

A prayer for you – Lord God, in the era of social justice where accusations abound, help us to pursue godly justice. Let us search for the truth, be impartial and not judge the hearts of our neighbors. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

An URGENT Warning for Religious People

The only people Jesus ever accused of being hypocrites, were the religious leaders of His own nation. – Clint Decker

A Florida teenager once made national news after he was arrested for an impersonation stunt. Matthew, an 18-year-old, wormed his way into being a Physician’s Assistant at a local hospital. He had an I.D. badge, the right clothes and was even trusted by a doctor to do CPR on a patient. (Image by freepik)

Matthew was a fake, a pretender or an actor. In a word he was a hypocrite. It is a term often used in religious settings. Perhaps you have heard someone say, “Hey, that church downtown, they preach one thing and do another,” or maybe “I visited the church on main street once. I know many of them, and they’re a bunch of hypocrites,” or perhaps “Religious people are just fakes living by a double standard, that’s why I don’t go to church anywhere.”

Sometimes we can unknowingly associate hypocrites with God when we see sinful things in the lives of professing Christians. Know that it is with great force that God condemns them. Jesus once said, “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.” (Matthew 7:5) Another time Jesus directly stated, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.” (Matt. 23:25) Jesus also forcefully commented, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me…’” (Mark 7:6)

In ancient times, actors and actresses in Greek plays wore masks to portray their characters. They were affectionately known as hypocrites. It was not a demeaning word like it is today but was just a simple term that described their professional craft. According to one source, “Hypocrite refers to a performer acting under a mask,” a “two-faced person,” or “someone who says one thing, but does another.”

The only people Jesus ever accused of being hypocrites, were the religious leaders of His own nation. They studied, were highly trained, considered experts in the Scriptures and bore the responsibility of teaching them to the people. Yet, as a group, they were considered hypocrites in the eyes of Jesus. How? Because they knew better, by teaching at times what they knew was a lie and what they did not practice.

This angered Jesus because of the harmful influence that had. He scolded them saying, “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.” (Matt. 23:13) Through the influence of their words and life, it was like they were slamming heaven’s door right in front of people’s noses. Jesus did not mince words. He was furious with religious hypocrites. He once told a story about a master that clarified where two-faced religious actors will spend eternity, “[The master] will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt. 24:51)

Outside of Jesus’, not too many of us can point fingers on this issue. There is a Bible verse I have prayed for myself many times, “O Lord God of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me…” (Psalm 69:6) It is only by the grace of God that I am, who I am. The greatest fear of my life is that I will somehow misrepresent God in my teaching or fail Him in my choices, and cause others to reject Him. May God have mercy on me and you, if that shall ever be said of us. Today, by the grace of God, stop being a pretender and start being real.

A prayer for you – Lord God, may the work of your Holy Spirit convict men and women of any hypocrisy in their life. And if there is any, enable them by your power to repent and find mercy at the cross. In Jesus’ name. Amen.