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.