How to be Thankful in America’s Chaos

The year 2020 will go down as probably one of the most cultural shaping years of the United States and world in recent times. It began in January with retired NBA legend, Kobe Bryant’s sudden death. News of his passing impacted the globe. In February, President Donald Trump became the third President to be impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives. In March, shutdowns began sweeping across the nation in an attempt to slow the Covid-19 pandemic, which has contributed to over 200,000 deaths in the United States and financial devastation for many. In May, the killing of George Floyd set off a series of lawless riots in major cities for months. In June, the Supreme Court ruled that the 1964 Civil Rights Act can be extended to offer controversial protections to lesbian, gay, transgender and bi-sexual people, which will have massive implications for churches and Christian run non-profits, businesses and schools. And through all this upheaval there has been a tense and divisive political campaign season and presidential election. Plus, we still have December to go and none of this includes what has been happening in your own life and family.

Anyone, no matter where they stand politically or religiously, can agree that 2020 has been incredibly stressful due to so many significant and difficult events. Thanksgiving Day will be significant this year. Let me ask you this, “How can we be thankful while in the midst of all this craziness?”

Read this carefully . . . the evidence of true and genuine thankfulness comes not in a season of plenty, but in a time of loss and heartache. For that is when you look beyond the superficial and into the depths of what is truly important. Pain has a sobering effect on us, often waking us up to questions that help come to terms with life’s greatest priorities.

In the Bible it is written, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). The man who wrote those words penned them while imprisoned unjustly for doing good to others.

The people in our nation’s history that gave us the origins of Thanksgiving Day, understood this concept of true thanksgiving. November 11, 1620, European Pilgrims, America’s new settlers, arrived on the shores of what eventually became Massachusetts. According to an American history website, wallbuilders.com . . .

The harsh New England winter was already well underway. Having no homes or shelter of any kind when they landed, before spring arrived, half of the 100 settlers had died. But that first year also brought unexpected blessings as some of the Indians in the area who had learned English were willing to help the Pilgrims by showing them many things they needed to survive, including how to plant Indian crops such as corn, and how to hunt and fish in that area. 

Out of the great blessing the native Americans showed the Pilgrims, came America’s first Thanksgiving. While each of the Pilgrims had experienced awful tragedy, they were able to lift their eyes heavenward and truly give thanks and praise to the Lord God, who they worshiped, for the grace He showed them through friendship with the Indians. They were able to find good in the face of pain and sorrow.

Where is the good in America right now? Like the Pilgrims, lift your eyes heavenward to the Lord God. Look beyond what you see physically to the unseen presence of a very real and holy God. Long ago He sent His only Son, Jesus, who came to die and rise again for the sins of the world. For sin is the cause of all that troubles our lives and world. Our disobedience to God and the disobedience of others, has brought much evil and destruction upon us. Yet, we are not left to ourselves. In Jesus, God has given us hope. We can be set free from our shackles of sin. The weight can be lifted. The darkness can be turned to light. The chaos can be transformed into peace. It is because of Jesus we can give thanks while the world falls apart around us. Let not circumstances determine if there is something to be thankful for. Turn to Christ. Let Him change your heart, then see the world and your life like you have never seen it before.

A prayer for you - “Lord God, I pray for the one who is troubled by all he or she is walking through. Open their eyes and heart to see you standing right there in the middle of the chaos. Let them see you as a Savior. Bring them to turn from their disobedience and seek you for forgiveness. In your holy name, Amen.”

Pastors and Voting

Pastor and church leader, do you anticipate encouraging your congregation to vote in the general election on November 3rd? I hope every pastor and church leader will help make the Christian vote, the highest turnout among any group.

I understand churches may feel uncomfortable or even resistant to utilizing their church to encourage voting. Perhaps they think it smells of politics and want to get as far away from the odor as possible, especially with political tensions running too high in America right now.

What I am talking about is simply encouraging the act of voting. I do not want the church promoting certain candidates or political parties, nor turning Sunday morning into a political rally. This is just about encouraging followers of Christ to vote, and vote prayerfully and intelligently.

I see voting as an act of loving Christian citizenship when I read the Apostle Peter’s letter in the New Testament. His words are not specifically about voting, but about the Christian’s relationship to government. 1. Voting is honorable. It is written, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable . . .” (1 Peter 2:12). 2. Voting is good. The Scriptures say, “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people” (vs. 15). 3. Voting is an act of freedom. The Bible says, “Live as people who are free” (vs. 16). In the United States men and women and people of all races and religions, or no religion, are free to vote. 4. Voting is loving our neighbor. God’s Word states, “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (vs. 17). The candidates up for election are our fellow citizens, and in a sense, are our neighbors. It is an act of sacrificial love to them when we take time and go vote.

But what if some candidates are lacking the character or will not support Christian principled policies or legislation? That is a valid concern, but please do not let that keep you or your church out of the voting booth. Participate, but do so with greater attention to prayer, seeking the Scripture for guidance and learning about the candidates.

If you lead or are involved in a church that sees voting as part of the messy political process, consider a different viewpoint. Look at it through the lens of God’s Word and Christian citizenship. It is our opportunity to be salt and light in the community when we show up at the polls on election day. And when our votes are joined with prayer and fasting for the candidates along with our city, state and nation – election day can truly be a spiritually impactful time.

When it comes time to cast our vote, believers in Christ do so with a theological understanding of sovereign Kingship. Jesus died, rose from the dead and is alive today sitting at the right hand of His Father in heaven, waiting to come again. Christ is King no matter who is on the ballot or in political power. It is in Him whom we ultimately place our trust with the realization that no earthly power can thwart the purposes of our Lord and Savior.

A prayer for you - “Lord God, I pray you will give pastors and local church leaders wisdom and unity in discussions about encouraging their congregations to vote. Open the eyes of fellow believers to the biblical importance of voting. And I pray that our nation will turn toward you. We are in desperate need of a special touch of your glory and grace. Come Lord Jesus. In your holy name, Amen.”

Can Baptism Forgive Your Sins?

I walked into the hospital room and Terry was lying on her bed.  Her physical condition was deteriorating and she was not ready to face her Creator.  I got down on my knees and shared with her the good news of Christ,realizing her time was short.  Afterwards as I prayed, she cried out for God to save her.  It was an incredible moment.  Weeks later Terry was home in her bed surrounded by family.  She wanted to be baptized, so with a cup and towel I conducted her baptism.  What a blessing!  Then hours later Terry died, going to her heavenly home.  

What prepared her for an eternal dwelling with Christ?  Was it her conversion to Jesus at the hospital or her baptism at home? 

Like with Terry, I have been at the bedside of the dying many times and I am greatly concerned over the misunderstanding about baptism.  If someone is fatally sick, knows their time is short, and realizes they have never been baptized, they may request a clergyperson to come and administer it, giving them a false sense of confidence,that they will go to heaven (because of their baptism).

Baptism is a part of our American religious culture.  Millions of followers in Catholic and Protestant churches have experienced the sacrament.  From infants, to youth and adults, men and women have been baptized during memorable religious ceremonies filled with family and friends.  Sometimes it is a quiet, solemn, reverent event.  At other times it is filled with hoots and hollers.  The occasion is looked upon as an important religious milestone in a person’s spiritual life. 

Whydoes someone get baptized?  Simple.  It is a command given by God in the Bible, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins . . .” (Acts 2:38)

If you have ever attended a baptism ceremony here is the meaning of it.  As a person stands ready to be baptized, they are a picture of their old self, standing dead in their sin, just as Jesus hung dead upon His cross.  Then as Jesus was buried, so they are buried.  Their old self gets buried in the waters of baptism.  The water is an image of the Holy Spirit washing them of all their sin while being immersed into the life of Christ and His church.  Then as Jesus rose from His grave with a resurrected body, so the one being baptized rises up out of the water, a new creation.  The old is gone.  The new has come.It is a powerful thing to watch, an honor to administer, but most of all, it is life changing to personally experience, as I have.  The mighty grace of God is almost palpable in those moments.

What is the singular most important focus in baptism?  Jesus.  It is not the water.  It is not the Pastor or Priest.  It is not the one being baptized.  It is Jesus.  Baptism is foremost a picture of Christ’s work on the cross.  His suffering, death, burial and resurrection from the dead. 

Sometimes we can elevate the pomp and circumstance of a baptism ceremony above Christ.  We can elevate the water itself above Him, believing it becomes holy or takes on some type of mystical form.  We can also elevate the sacrament itself above Christ, thinking that through it we can secure the eternal salvation of our soul. 

Let me be as blunt and truthful as I can.  Unless you have turned from your sins and to Christ, and unless you have placed your full trust in Christ alone; your baptism is meaningless and of no spiritual value whatsoever.  Do not believe anyone who says otherwise.  Your baptism is not enough to forgive your sins.  It is just mere water.  Only the blood of Jesus, which was shed from His cross can save you.  Thankfully, Terry understood this when she cried out to Jesus in her hospital bed.  I pray you will do the same.

A prayer for you - “Lord God, if there is someone reading this that has been deceived, believing the waters of baptism are greater than the atoning blood of Jesus, open their eyes to see the truth.  Bring them to turn from trusting in a ceremony, and to repent of their sin and trust in Christ alone for their salvation. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.”