Category: Leadership

Posted in Leadership, Life Inspiration

The Seducing of the American Church

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Now that the election is over, perhaps my mind will settle down a little, probably very little, but for at least this morning, I’m not thinking about politics. Nope. That’s a lie. This morning I’m thinking about the politics of the American Church, although it has been since the ancient of age in one form or another. Paul dealt with it in his day, and we continue.

Colossians 2:1-5 KJV
For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; [2] That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; [3] In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. [4] And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. [5] For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

The Seductive Lie

The problem that Paul was combating (struggling) in the Colossian church was likely the heresy known as Gnosticism (from the Greek word for knowledge). Gnosticism undermined the foundational Christian teaching that Paul had taught the church. The Gnostics insisted important, secret knowledge was hidden from most believers. But Paul taught, and we believe today, that Christ provides all the knowledge we need.

When I got saved, I had been around the Bible all my life. My Dad sat daily in his chair with the Bible across his lap, studying the word of God. But for me, prior to salvation, I could pick up the Bible and it might as well have been a geometry text book, because I understood it about that well. But February 18th, 1996, something happened. When I read the Bible, it was as if God read it back to me defined. The Spirit revealed the meaning of that scripture and from that point forward, I knew it was alive! I was speaking to God and He was speaking to me.

Paul taught that communication with Christ and one another was vital to church growth. The Gnostics thought and loved that they were in possession of a secret. That’s a problem. In John 18:20 it says “Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.”

The arrogance of anyone telling you that God tells them things that He doesn’t tell others, is a lie. Everything we need to know is in the Word of God. False teachers love it when everyone hangs on every word they say, because it gives them job security and makes those who follow them feel they can’t do without them. That is the seducing lie. Paul warned them not to be beguiled (deceived) by their enticing (seducing) words.

The Spiritual Snare

Gnostics believed that humans were divine beings trapped in the material world. Okay, so now I have the Madonna song stuck in my head, “Material Girl.” Nothing divinely spiritual about that. They also thought that the world was created by an imperfect spirit. They believed that to escape the material world, humans needed to gain gnosis, or special knowledge, from outside the material because spiritual reality was good, but physical reality was evil, including our physical bodies. Well, I did think of the Madonna song.

I can assure you the only divine thing about me, is Christ living in me! And to think that every physical thing is evil is ingratitude of the creation of God. Certainly we can put more value on the material things in the world than we should, but the things are not evil, it’s the heart of man that’s evil. Jeremiah 17:9 says “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

It’s a snare of any preacher or teacher who does not look at the entire word of God, rather than picking and choosing what portions of it fits into their theories and agendas. That kind of thinking traps the believer into not relying on the Spirit for discernment. Never believe anything that cannot be backed up by the Word of God.

The Savior’s Humanity

The third gnostic deception was that because the physical bodies were evil, Christ couldn’t have possibly been human. While our very human minds find it hard to grasp God being fully God and fully human, this is God we’re talking about. He can do anything… except of course sin. But that didn’t stop Him from feeling the temptation of it. When Satan and Christ were in the wilderness for 40 days, surely Christ’s hunger was physical. Satan’s temptation with food would have been felt, but it wasn’t acted on. Rather Christ told him in Luke 4:4 “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”

It’s important that a child of God understands that God understands. He experienced the same temptation that we do. But He was God. He did not succumb to the flesh, but rather relied on the God factor within Him to fight the temptation. The same God factor that is within us after salvation. We need to deepen our relationship with Christ, not depend on the preacher to be our only source of information. Gnosticism became fashionable in the second century AD. Even in Paul’s day, these ideas sounded attractive to many, and exposure to such teachings could easily seduce a church that didn’t know Christian doctrine well. Similar teachings still pose significant problems for many in the church today. We combat heresy by becoming thoroughly acquainted with God’s Word through personal study and sound Bible teaching.

Gnostic belief is an example of how false teaching and dependence upon man rather than God can seduce a believer away from reading the Word and hearing the Spirit speak. We need the preacher. But we need God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit more.

Read the Word!!!!

Posted in Leadership, Life Inspiration

There’s a Difference Between Arrogance and Confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ

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2 Corinthians 3:1 KJV
[1] Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?

One of the many advantages of being in the Ministry is, that I have had the privilege of meeting many, many, preachers and teachers of the word of God. From the time of my salvation in 1996, I count it an honor of God that He placed ministers in my life – to the point that I felt as if I had instructors in the faith walking by my side daily for probably the first five years of my ministry. I had breakfast multiple times a week with ministry people who discipled me and allowed me to ask question after question, pouring into me the Word of God and its application to life. I had lunch once a week with brother Doyle Ballengee who taught me the way of the soul winner. I attended Bible College with instructors whose depth of knowledge was so vast I never ever grew weary of hearing them speak. I said all that to say this, their level of humility was every bit as deep as their knowledge. They knew from whence their wisdom came and they bore no credit, but gave the glory to God.

When Paul asked the question in verse one of 2nd Corinthians 3, saying (to Shari quote it), “We’re not patting ourselves on the back, nor do we need you to do it,” to anyone who didn’t know him it may have seemed arrogant. Paul was anything but arrogant. He may or may not have been arrogant when he was a Pharisee. But following his conversion to Christ, he never claimed glory for himself.

In Galatians 1:11-20, Paul tells of his humble beginnings as a minister of the Gospel which was not devised by human wisdom, nor had he received it from the other apostles; rather, he was taught directly by Jesus Christ Himself. He continues by reminding them that he had been trained in and was fanatically devoted to the traditions of Judaism. When God called Paul on the Damascus road, he was commissioned to preach the Gospel of Christ. He didn’t go to bible college or go to Jerusalem to receive instruction from the apostles. Rather, he went into Arabia for a time, and not until three years later did he go to Jerusalem. Can you imagine devoting yourself to the word of God in such a manner? I can’t, because I haven’t. I’ve been a minister of the gospel for 15 of my 28 years of Salvation. When I say minister, I mean that in the sense of speaking and teaching the Word of God. I do not have the confidence of Paul. Nor the reputation. I have too much Shari sometimes to keep my mouth shut. Which brought me to this study today. I have been accused of being judgmental, (due to my job as the Ridgeview News Publisher). The world loves the verse, in Matthew 7:1 that states simply, “Judge not that ye be not judged.” It’s not that simple. John 7:24 also says “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” We cannot judge someone’s heart (as Matthew 7:2 says) but we can for certain discern their actions whether they are right or wrong.

What’s Our Testimony?

Paul continues his chat with the Corinthians saying that their testimony preceded them.

[2] Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: [3] Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. [4] And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:

The reason was given as to why they didn’t need letters of commendation, to or from the church at Corinth, because that church was their living epistle, and which was much preferable to any written one. Paul was proclaiming the word of God that had been burned into his heart by the Spirit of God. The same Spirit that dwells in all children of God. But, it’s the communication with the Spirit that makes the difference. It’s the understanding of Who it is that the Spirit is.

[5] Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; [6] Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. [7] But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: [8] How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

When the children of Israel saw Moses after he had physically been in the presence of God, (Exodus 34:29) the Shekinah glory was so bright that they couldn’t bear to look at him for fear of blindness. That’s how amazing God is. So Paul asked, “Is not the Spirit that is within us, the same God?” Yes it is!!! Should there not be evidence that He is within you coming to the outside of us? Would it not build confidence in us, the closer we got to God in conversation, and understanding of what it was He wants us to do. Would it not also humble you to be in the presence of His greatness.

If any of us had a true knowledge of how great the Spirit of God is within us. It would either scare us to death, or it would cause us to never want to leave communing with Him.

Paul understood the seriousness of the fact that he was speaking for God on earth. The words that the Holy Spirit gave to Paul are still being read two thousand plus years later. What about what we say? Will it have that kind of staying power? I doubt it. But the words we speak may have eternal ramifications.

When I was ministering in New Mexico a few years ago, I spoke at a church where, following the service, a man came up to me and prophesied something. For the record, it was a Baptist church, but this man was not Baptist. He had come to the service to hear me speak and sing. I felt very uncomfortable with the words he spoke. I don’t even remember what they were. But he spoke as though God had given him insight into my life and the direction I should go. That’s dangerous ground.

Just as I don’t know the intents of someone’s heart, nor do I know the intents of God’s heart for them. God does the calling, not man.

For certain it was a different era in Paul’s day. The church was new, and the members of it were willing to die, and many did, for the cause of Christ. It’s said of the church today that the members won’t even live for Christ, forget asking them to die.

To another group of believers Pauls words of wisdom were clear as to the expectations of the life of a Christian.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-28 KJV

19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

It would be arrogance on my part if I said I lived Paul’s words out every day in my life. And it would be a lie. Every Christian fails. The difference is, the attitude of the heart. Paul was not a perfect man either, but he was confident in what he knew to be the word of God.

Posted in Leadership, Life Inspiration

It’s Been a Rough Week – Let’s talk about anger

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So I allowed a political figure to anger me to the point that my train derailed and I spilled my cargo. Do I have regrets. Truthfully, not so much. I regret that I allowed this man to almost cause me to have another heart attack because I wasn’t turning to the Holy Spirit within me. Unless of course that was the Holy Spirit wanting to ring this guys neck like I did. 🤣 I’m kidding… I know the Holy Spirit doesn’t want to ring someone’s neck. It really did however feel like something was trying to get out of my chest. I was that angry. What brought it on? He publicly was disrespecting my husband’s work ethic from his earlier employment. Oh, he also said unkind things my work, but that just went in one ear and out the other, because I can handle it when you trash me. But when you mess with my family, I come unglued.

So, what’s the Jesus Chick to do, when you’re that angry? Let’s go to the word of the Lord and see what His advice on the matter is.

Haven’t You Learned?

Isn’t that what we all tell our children when they make a mistake that we believe they should have known better? Have you learned nothing I taught you? God is no different. He is that same loving parent that guides and teaches us every day and then when we derail He asks, “Have you not learned?” Of course that is a rhetorical question, He knows we know and that we chose to not listen.

Ephesians 4:20-32 KJV
But ye have not so learned Christ; [21] If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: [22] That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; [23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; [24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

The truth is in Jesus. Not this world that we’re living in. This man successfully provoked me to anger, which I believe was his ultimate goal. I can’t blame Jesus for me coming unglued. If I had been acting like Jesus, I would have waited until after the meeting, and I had calmed down, and then addressed the situation. But the flesh in me wanted the public to know that this jerk had just gotten on my last nerve and I needed to call his sins out. And so I did. This man had been my husband former boss. He had played on my husband’s good heart and compassion, and convinced my husband that he should do the government a favor and work seven days a week, 10-12 hours a day on salary. I reminded him that he had illegally taken advantage of my husband and another employee by causing them to work in such a manner, which is illegal. So my question is… did I cross a line I shouldn’t have as a child of God?

Be ye angry, and sin not

[25] Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. [26] Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: [27] Neither give place to the devil.

So, we’re allowed to be angry. That’s human nature, but then Christ says “and sin not.” I cannot say that the sun didn’t go down with me still being angry. My heart had stopped thumping out of my chest by the time I laid down. My smart watch was no longer screaming at me to say my heart rate was too high, but I still felt angry toward the politician. It wasn’t until today, two days later that I began to rationalize my thoughts and deal with the issue within. The devil has had a place at my table for two days. That’s not cool.

[28] Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. [29] Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. [30] And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. [31] Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: [32] And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Verse 29 reminds us that anything that comes out of our mouth should edify the hearer, and allow them to experience grace. My go to verse for righteous rage and holy hostility is when Jesus upset the tables in the temple in John 2:15-19
And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; [16] And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise. [17] And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. [18] Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? [19] Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

This of course is a totally different scenario. These men that Jesus made a whip and drove from His Father’s house were making profit on the sacrifices of God. That makes my stomach roll over. It no doubt did Jesus’ as well, because He threw them out!

Those men were taking advantage of God’s people and disrespecting God. Jesus’ Father. When during the meeting I was in this week, a government leader used his position to provoke anger and manipulate people, he was successful. He provoked me to anger. I didn’t turn over any tables or get a whip and drive him out, but I wanted to.

Government is a God ordained position. That’s not to say all those in office are in those positions by God’s design. But He allowed it. But as children of God, we are to care for our families, and the body of Christ. And when we see abuse, disrespect, and dishonor, I believe God understands the anger that wells up inside of us. I’m not saying God approved me coming unglued. But He understood that the disrespect a government official was showing toward the people was unwarranted and evil.

So what’s the answer to the question… “Was my behavior justified?” For me the answer came when I felt no regret. I usually feel regret pretty quickly for stupid behavior. But I think there comes a time when a person crosses the line and God says, “Child of God, Give them the truth.” He didn’t tell me to call the politician names. And I didn’t (at least in the open meeting). But I believe that when I got angry, God approved – – because this person, who is in a position of accountability, was arrogant, unkind and believed his position warranted him the right to hurt people without remorse.

God doesn’t tell His children to lay down and be walked on. He tells them to show Grace and kindness, but he also expects sin to be dealt with. We forgive the sinner… we don’t excuse or permit the sin.

Posted in Christian Service, Church attendance, Faith, Family, Leadership, Life Inspiration

Searching for Substance in a Silly Society

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I am eternally grateful to be in a church that when I leave the building on Sundays and Wednesdays, I feel as if I have just been fed the most marvelous of meals with an exquisite desert. Those metaphors are of course standing for the Word of God and Spirit in the service. My heart continues to be burdened for a world that finds no need to be in a church with the body of Christ.

Paul warned the Church of Colosse, when they were worshipping angels rather than God:

Colossians 2:18-19 KJV
[18]Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, [19] And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

Beguiling, deception, is what happens when one is not being taught the word of God or being taught incorrectly. Verse 19 refers to the Head, with the H capitalized, meaning God, from who we receive the nourishment required for the sustainability of the body. Someone, a false teacher, had the people of Colosse worshiping those which God created for the purpose of serving and worshipping Him.

In the book of Revelation, when John fell at the feet of an angel, the humble creature told him asolutely not! Revelation 22:8-9 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. [9] Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

The point of that being, they were listening to false teaching, and so are many others, because they’re not reading and studying the Word of God for themselves, and attending a church where a Pastor can keep you in line. Of course you can sit at home in your comfy chair, sipping coffee while you listen to your internet preacher, but as it says in Hebrews 10:25, you’re absent from the body of Christ.

Funny thing about scripture, it is so often given and received out of context. I was just about guilty in the writing of this post. Hebrews 10:25 is one my favorite verses. But I failed to realize that it’s the latter part of a sentence that started in verse 23.

Hebrews 10:23-25 KJV
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) [24] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: [25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Those three verses are packed with good stuff!

Hold Fast my Friends!

Paul told the Hebrews to hold on to the profession of their faith. To the sound doctrines for which they’d been taught. It won’t take long when being out in the world to be influenced by multiple forces. That causes wavering and confusion in the mind like that of those worshiping the angels. God did not intend church folks to be without a body of believers and a Pastor. In the days of Paul that of course wasn’t a church house but usually it was in the homes of other believers where they gathered for house church. But they gathered. They knew that there was a need to hold on to not only the profession of their faith, but to hold on to their faith filled friends for encouragement. Get in the right church and hold on!

Provoke the People

Provoked is most often used as a term of negativity. But you can provoke good as well as evil! Paul told the Hebrews to provoke unto love and to good works. I have to tell you, when someone in the church starts a project, I’m not always a willing participant. I have a dozen other things going that I feel needs my attention. But a friend in the faith will say, “Hey Shari, I need your help.” And it’s then that I am provoked to help, because I love them and I want to do a good work. It’s always a blessing! My life is far richer and I know that I have been doing the will of God. But if it wasn’t for that friend in the faith, I’d have missed the blessing. Good Christian friends provoke us to do more for the Kingdom of God.

Can you see that the words leading into Hebrews 10:25 direct our paths, and keep us going in the direction we should go?

Always Assemble!

Wednesdays and Sundays are happy, happy days in my life. My mind begins to think on the upcoming Bible studies, the fellowship with other believers, the lifting up of people in prayer. The wonderful influence of my church family encourages me the other five days of the week! Is my church perfect? Of course not, or they wouldn’t let me in the doors. But the five days I’m out of church takes its toll on me. I can read the word of God, pray and encourage myself with good gospel music, but I need the fellowship of other believers and I most especially need the leading and teaching of the man of God. It’s not that God doesn’t speak to me, He does. But He speaks to the man of God in an amazing way, that one message can hit everyone who hears it, in a different way. It will encourage one, convict another, stir another over something they’ve been struggling with. It’s filled with the substance that we need in our lives to keep us on the right path.

I watch family and friends who are being beat down by this world struggle. And I don’t mean they’re having a little anxiety. I mean their mind is filled with frustration, anger, chaos and worse. And my thought is this, if only you had filled your tank this week, you’d not have run out of gas. The world will fill you up, but it’s got all kinds of bad byproducts in it. Junk that God never intended to be in your life. I used the word silly in the headline of today’s post. But there is nothing funny about how this world tears you apart. It’s why I stay in church… it’s the glue that puts me back together.

Love you all. Praying my words encourage you today!

Posted in Christian Service, Faith, Leadership, Life Inspiration

Becoming a Good Creature of Habit

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I am a creature of habit. And not always good ones either. I have a few good habits, and many, many bad habits. I try to lessen them; but deed, habits are hard! In 1997 I felt such conviction over being a smoker and working with youth. I had been saved a little over a year. It was a monumental accomplishment on May 26th, 1997 when I stopped smoking. It had far less to do with me than it did to do with the Holy Spirit and prayer warriors. Ironically I share that anniversary date with my open heart surgery which occurred on May 26th, 2018.

Does God grow weary of our bad habits? I know I do. Poor eating habits have taken a great toll on my body. Poor spending habits have taken a great toll on my finances. There are consequences for stupidity. I know! I’ve got the scars. But if there are consequences for bad habits, there surely must be reward for good habit.

I began this study at the end of Jacob’s life. Jacob who (if you know scripture) you likely have read it again and again as it was in Exodus 2:24-25 when God mentions their names together…
And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. [25] And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.

God used Jacob mightily! But unfortunately, he is also remembered as being a liar. His name means deceiver. He stole his brother’s birthright. He was not a man of high moral character. But God seriously used him. That gives us all hope, does it not? I said that to show his habits were not always the greatest. Which I also find it very ironic that on his death bed, he called all of his sons together to tell them what they are habitually known for: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. Twelve very memorable men. Genesis 49.

  1. Rueben – strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: but you’re as unstable as water,
  2. Simeon and Levi are cruel, the killed a man, and they’ll be cursed.
  3. Judah, your brothers will praise you and your hand will be in the neck of your enemies. He ws a lion’s whelp. Obviously he had some great habits!
  4. Zebulun was known as a haven for ships. Someone people could depend on.
  5. Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward. His habits must have been that he took care of justice.
  6. Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.
  7. Asher was my kind of man! Jacob said of him that his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties. I’m not sure if his habit was that of eating, but I do like a good piece of bread and royal dainties!
  8. Jacob said of his son Issachar that he was a strong ass couching down between two burdens and that he became a great servant.
  9. Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words, he must have had the habit of encouraging people.
  10. and then there was of course the 11th son, Joseph which is one of the most amazing stories of a man of habitually good character that he ends up saving his nation from famine.
  11. And the youngest Benjamin who Jacob loved and was a great hunter of prey.

Like us all, the 12 sons of Jacob, had good habits and bad. And he called them out, right there on his death bed. Not so sure that’s the way I want to leave this world, but for Jacob, it was his desire and his sons stood there and took it.

So what will your habits say about you? Are there habits that you’re striving to rid yourself of? Yeah… me too. So what can we do to encourage ourselves in this battle? A lesson from Joseph helped direct my mind today…

Jacob said of Joseph:

Joseph Bore Fruit

And lot of it! While we cannot work our way to Heaven, James 2:18 says Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

I want a to be known for good work habits. I have been struggling with that lately because my world is scattered between many responsibilities. But I am praying that through self discipline and focus, I can bring my work habits and fruit bearing back into line with that of Joseph. Well, let’s be real, I don’t know that I will or have ever aligned with Joseph. But I want to. I want to be habitually busy for the kingdom.

Genesis 49:22-26 KJV
Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: [23] The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: [24] But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:) [25] Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb: [26] The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

Jacob knew that Joseph had done great and wonderful things far above what he had done. I want that for my children and my grandchildren. While we cannot physically hand down our habits, can we not practice a godly life every day that will cause our children and grandchildren to desire it and be better at than we are.

If a habit is a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up, should we not strive to habitually live for Jesus. habitually read His Word. Habitually be kind. Habitually be honest. Should these not be easier to become habits, than taking on habits that are so hard to rid ourselves of? But none the less, we have to habitually, intentionally do those things.

My prayer for you and I today is this:

God in Heaven, God of Abraham, Issac, Jacob and Shari. Help us Lord to make it a habit to daily read your word and allow those around us to see us, so that they too will have that desire. Father may our lives bear sweet fruit like that of Joseph that was abundantly running over the wall. God I thank You that I too have “progenitors”, meaning ancestors, who had good and faithful habits that I learned from. Let me never fail to forget those like my own Mother, who daily made a habit of caring for her home and even now as her mind is struggling, that habit continues. Let us be so faithful Lord!!!! Let us have a habit of encouraging one another as Naphtali did. Oh God, I’ve wrote myself happy again this morning, knowing that if I like James work in faith, You will reward! Thank You God for the joy in my heart and please give my friends a great dose of joy today too! In the Name of Jesus Christ my Lord. I ask it all. Amen.

Posted in Christian, Eternity, Faith, Grace, Leadership, Prayer, salvation

Prejudice, Persecution, and Profession of Christ

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As a child growing up in the hills of Braxton County, West Virginia in a little community called Duck, I did not experience bigotry. I had one uncle who used the “n” word as well as other colorful words, but he was the only one I remember. The rest of my immediate family didn’t use profanity, nor did they ever say prejudiced statements against any other race or nationality of people. In our community I don’t ever remember seeing anyone of another color. Growing up in Calhoun County, West Virginia there was one family of black people and I have no doubt they likely lived a life with prejudice. Although I didn’t see them experiencing it and was friends with a boy named Tommy in my class who was an amazing artist. My point of that lead in isn’t really to speak about black prejudice but rather to help you understand I have no concept of being prejudice because of how I was raised.

As an adult I have certainly witnessed prejudices of many kinds. All of which make me sick. But the growing antisemitism in our Nation is something that I cannot understand. From a biblical standpoint I will never comprehend the depth of wickedness in a person who condones the slaughter of a nationality of people as is happening in Israel by Hamas. How on earth have we as a nation allowed this to be our leadership. And how have Christians turned a blind eye to it happening, knowing (if they do) what scripture says about Israel. I’m in full belief that many in America have no idea what scripture says at all from their own reading.

The Apostle Paul knew about prejudice from the inside out. As a card carrying Jewish leader who knew the scripture backwards and forwards, he had been taught the persecution that Israel had been through. Abuse, slavery, the slaughter of their children. And yet, this didn’t stop them from killing Christians because they preached Jesus and converted Jews to Christianity. When Jeremiah in 17:9 said “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” He didn’t sugar coat it. But the wonderful part of that verse is the verse that follows which proclaims [10]” I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Yes, that means there will be a judgement day. But God knew the heart of the Apostle Paul and turned him from being a Jew with an evil heart toward Christians, to being a Christian of great and amazing wisdom and compassion. That gives us hope for anyone that is lost.

Apostle Paul in Romans 11 speaks of the grafting in of the Gentiles (that’s us) into the family of God. Which makes anyone who claims Christianity but has an antisemitic viewpoint, an idiot.

The Nation of Israel has experienced antisemitism from

Romans 11:13-28 KJV
[13] For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: [14] If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

Emulation is imitation. Paul is hoping that through his preaching and his life that others will imitate his decision and become saved. They knew he was a Jew who wished them dead, but now he is their leader and wants nothing for them, but to see them saved. This argument is showing that as the Gentiles received present advantage through the rejection of the Jews, they would receive far greater at their future recovery, and which proves that their rejection is not final. Israel will have their day again. But in the current age we’re in, we’ve been given the privilege of having God within us. And if God is within us, I can guarantee you’re not saved if you hate Israel. Jesus was a Jew for cyrin’ out loud. How can they justify that? They cannot.

One of my favorite images in my spiritual mind is that of the grafting of the trees that Paul explains in this chapter.

[15] For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? [16] For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. [17] And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; [18] Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. [19] Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. [20] Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: [21] For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

Israel (as a nation not individuals) has failed to accept Christ as the Messiah. Because of their unbelief the original family tree was broken. God grafted the gentiles who did believe into their spot on the tree and made us apart of the family of God. Glory and Hallelujah that makes my heart so happy that I am a child of God because of His great mercy!

Please pray for Israel today. Pray for the United States that Christians will stand in the gap for Israel with the understanding Jesus is going to return and when He does, it will be a new day in Dodge and day of terror for the unbelievers. Pray for our children and our families to be saved before it’s too late.

Posted in Christian, Faith, Leadership

The Success of Silence

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on The Success of Silence

Jesus calls us to His rest, and meekness is His method. The meek man cares not at all who is greater than he, for he has long ago decided that the esteem of the world is not worth the effort.
~A. W. Tozer

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Meekness

Numbers 12:3 KJV
(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)

Moses was likely the second greatest leader since the beginning of time, and God said of him that he was “very meek.” The world views meekness as a weak character trait. They want someone who is loud and confident, and it’s not to say that a bold person isn’t a great leader. But the point of the matter is, God does not view leadership in the same manner as man. We often view it from the flesh. God knows the heart, inner strength and depth of wisdom that goes far deeper than knowledge and confidence. Moses had a stuttering issue that convinced him that he wouldn’t be the best leader, but God proved to him that if He listened to God’s guidance he would be successful. Isn’t that a novel concept? Moses was not only the greatest leader on earth he was the meekest man on earth. I find that fascinating. I personally do not know very many meek leaders. I know a few… my Pastor for one. Moses led millions of people for four decades. They weren’t just blindly following him. They rebelled several times. But he never lost control. Isn’t that amazing? What about this meek man made people listen to him?

Don’t Undervalue the Meek

Psalm 22:26 KJV
The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

Psalm 22 bears the prophetic words from Jesus on the cross. Psalm 22:1 KJV “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?”

The greatest leader of all time is of course Jesus. He who wrote the words of meekness and tells us the value of meekness. My Dad was a meek man. I never, not once, heard him raise his voice. He meekly lived his life, reading the word of God, teaching the word of God and didn’t argue; but rather knew what he believed, and allowed others to believe what they wanted to. I try to live that way, but I have a tendency to want to convince others that believe something else to change their viewpoint to mine. I don’t do it demanding, that is not my personality. But if you back me into a corner on what I believe, I can be loud. I don’t believe that Jesus, even being half man, would have succumbed to shouting if He was backed into any corner. When they threatened to throw Him over a cliff, He simply walked away. Oh to have such inner strength! I want to run my mouth, I always think that will make me feel better. It doesn’t. But it does let some pressure off the pop off valve inside me once in a while.

If meekness was also the character of God, should that not be our goal? Of course it should. And if we would ever reach that goal, two blessings would come from it…satisfaction and praise. Two valuable assets in life. To be in a state of being satisfied with where we are and so happy we’re praising the Lord! Yes, let it be so.

Don’t Mis-Understand Meekness

Psalm 25:9 KJV
The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

A meek leader may not force their viewpoint upon you, they may allow you to continue in the way you were going until you fall flat on your face, but don’t view that as an error on their part. That’s what happens so often in this world of blame where anything that happens is “not our fault.” The left and the right have been playing the blame game rather than just stating what they’re for. A meek person stands for what they believe in. You will seldom, if ever hear a meek person putting the blame on another person for the struggles in life. They understand that things happen. They understand that this world is terribly broken. They understand that they’re not perfect and when they stand before Jesus, they alone will answer for their errors. Meek people don’t waste words, especially on those who won’t accept their advice.

The Holy Spirit is also meek. After all it is the third part of the Trinity. It’s not yelling at you when it says, “Don’t do that.” “Don’t say that.” “Don’t go there.” And then you do. And maybe you don’t but it’s like I almost feel the Holy Spirit roll His eyes inside of me. He doesn’t yell at that point either. He simply forgives me and together we move on. But I understand that it was me who messed up. I didn’t listen to His guidance. If I had just been meeker and went the direction I was being told, my life would have been better.

Today, as I begin Tuesday, August 20th, 2024… this very noisy person is a little quieter in my soul. I pray I continue that way… I understand that meekness doesn’t always make noise.

Posted in Christian Service, Faith, Leadership, Life Inspiration

It’s Hard to Tell Where that Crazy Thing Will Lead You!

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Once again on Sunday morning I went to the altar. As I do most every Sunday service. I have people I need to pray for, circumstances I need to lift up, stuff that only Jesus can tackle. My community is a mess, my State and Nation are a mess. I’m always a hot mess! Sometimes the enormous responsibility of publishing a local news site takes it toll. I grow weary of shining a light in dark places. My conversations with God have also been soul searching missions to determine the intents of my heart. You know, the Bible tells us that our hearts are deceitfully wicked.

Jeremiah 17:9-14 KJV
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? [10] I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. [11] As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool. [12] A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary. [13] O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters. [14] Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.

Don’t be Deceived

I see social media posts, many by Christians, telling people to “follow their heart.” No! don’t do it. It’s hard to tell where that crazy thing will lead you. Follow the Word of God. Take that decision and get in the Bible and see how it lines up with the Word. That’s what I did this weekend. I wanted to ask someone for advice, but that scared me too. It’s not that we all, especially me, don’t need a person of good counsel. But on this matter, I didn’t want to bring anyone in to my battle. So I searched the scripture on how to cover the with godliness. That wasn’t an easy search.

A portion of the content I found on the subject of journalism, which really is on the subject of anyone who tells what’s happening in a community to someone else came from lonang.com

The way requires the journalist to refrain from bearing false witness as well as to refrain from bearing witness in a false way. The life prohibits the journalist from holding his neighbor in contempt. Jesus said He came to bring life and life more abundantly. When the reporter considers the purpose of the report, it must conform to the object of bringing life and life more abundantly. This does not mean “good news” in the popular sense. Jesus is good news, but to some He is the cornerstone upon which many stumble. Life and life more abundantly has to do with the object or purpose of the report, not necessarily its content.

These two aspects of Jesus as the Word are reflected in Exodus 20:16: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” God prohibits false declarations of fact as well as declarations or misrepresentations of fact in a false way. He also charges the journalist to maintain a proper disposition toward his reader or listener, that is, toward his neighbor.

I came to the peace of my recent posts and decisions when I determined that it fell within the boundaries of the Word of God. The good news isn’t always good in the eyes of the world. But if we believe Romans 8:28, the result will one day be good. But don’t trust your heart… trust the Word.

Don’t be Distressed

Jeremiah said that God was going to give every man according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doing. If we obey the Word of God, keep our hearts cleaned by God and the power of His forgiveness, have no wicked intent, then our ways will be rewards, not punishments. Satan would love to have you believe that God is going to call you upon they carpet and rake you across the coals. That’s not Who God is at all. Yes, if we are wicked, there will come a day that we will answer before God. But when God’s children are trying their very best to live right, not perfect, but the best they can, He may chastise us in love, but not for our distruction but tot strengthen us.

I hate being called on the carpet… it’s happened many times in my career. Some justified, some not. But one thing I’ve learned is that when it’s in error, I learn not to be like that person. When it is justified, I know I need to be a better person. Do I get distressed. Oh yeah. But I’m a work in progress.

Don’t Depart

Many times since my salvation in 1996, the first thing that I want to do is run. I want away from the frustration, the people who frustrated me and that has never been the answer. When people get hurt, they usually hurt me. And I can usually handle it just fine. Until they call me out on my Christian values. This causes me to question the intents of my heart. Which is good! I need to do that. But it also causes me doubt myself and doubt my purpose.

In Sunday School we spent a lot of time yesterday talking about purpose. And the fact that many Christians never take the time to discover God’s purpose for them on this earth. God’s main purpose is to be glorified in your life and that your life will draw men to Him. But within that purpose is something you’ve been called to do, usually in a secular sense.

I’ve had to learn to stand my ground. It would be way easier just to cave and walk away. But I know that I’ve been called for this purpose in life. I have peace with that. And with that peace comes a backbone that I’ve never before had. It’s a little wobbly sometime, but God has given me the ability to stand my ground.

If you’re struggling- – – stand on my friend. God has you covered. And what ever you do, don’t follow that crazy heart!

Posted in Christian, Grace, Leadership, Life Inspiration, Word of God

How to Find Contentment

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on How to Find Contentment

It was on the front of the church bulletin last week; those words from Paul stating that He had learned, whatsoever state he was in, therewith to be content. I have moments of contentment, about twenty minutes on a good day. And then I see something shiny and my contentment is fleeting. Am I alone with that line of thought? Do you, like myself, desire the things of this world far more than you should? It’s been on my mind a lot lately. I am still soaking in the revival from a few weeks ago, grateful for the word of the Lord that stirs the fires of my soul, but then aggravated in the same breath at the flesh that arises so often!

In the book of James 1:1-12 it says

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. [2] My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. [4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

While it’s important to note that James is the brother of Jesus, the son of Mary and Joseph, and he is writing a letter to the Jews, but it does not lessen the directive in it to the children of God who are Gentiles. It’s a good word (as all of the Bible is) for us all. And this morning it fell harder on my heart as those words pierced my soul, knowing that my flesh is every bit as alive as the Spirit in me and is warring daily in my life to take my mind off the things it should be on. James was obviously not a stranger to it either, but James didn’t have the internet! James didn’t have Temu ads popping up in his face every ten minutes with shiny things or a mega sale going on out the road with a five dollar bag that you can fill to the brim with goodies that you have no need for, but it’s really cool stuff, and it’s a whole bag for five dollars! Where’s your sense of shopping adventure.

Where’s that church bulletin, I need to find it!

I said all that to help you understand my state of mind. I really am learning contentment. But it’s a struggle, because it’s deeper rooted in misguided priorities which I fear is the problem that many face. It can become very guided in a moment of time when the news of a tragedy or heartache comes and you know that it is the most important thing in your life at that time, but then it passes, and the flesh rears its ugly head again and again and we’re no longer content … we want stuff. So James wrote us this word to remind us that we’re all going to fall into various temptations, but we’re suppose to count it as joy. And by temptations, those are not the temptations of a shopping spree, but the lure of Satan to pursuade you to follow the worldly ideas around you and not the Lord Jesus Christ. The idea that another way is better, or another thing will make you happy. It’s why He took Jesus up on the mountain and tempted Him forty days with the things that the world had to offer. Only Satan’s misguided sense of direction caused him to think that he had a power above Christ. He does not. Nor does he have that power in us if we will take back what God instilled in us through the Holy Spirit.

James goes on to say

[5] If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. [6] But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Is it not a lack of wisdom, the wisdom of the Word of God, that causes me to want? You bet! Funny thing, when I’m reading the word of God, I want nothing, except more of the word of God. Because it fills every void in my life. And James reminded me this morning that God laid it out before me in a way that James and his friends never experienced it. The word is on my phone, my iPad, my computer, in my hand through dozens of bibles in my office, waiting for me to search the Word of God. But temptations come that distract my mind and heart causing me to waver just like that boat tossed to and fro on the sea.

The next words of James made my stomach roll like it had been tossed on a wave when he said:

[7] For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

Even in my weakened state of want in this world, I know in my heart that what the Lord offers is far greater than any material thing I could desire here on earth. And the thought of not receiving what the Lord has to offer, because I am too unstable in my ways, makes me even more sea sick! God wants to give His children wonderful things. Not material things, but spiritual things that cannot be taken and the payment has already been made. I have never experienced anything in the world that has brought as much joy to my soul as the love of Jesus Christ. Him loving me and providing me a peace that cannot be purchased, a love that is not mail order and a contentment that I could just sit on the porch and watch creation like I’d just unwrapped the neatest toy on the market! God created that for me! He gave me people to love, what an amazing gift! A gift that gives back to me in massive quantities every time I hear one of my grandchildren say “I love you Noni.” Which is most every day.

[8] A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. [9] Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: [10] But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. [11] For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. [12] Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

There is reward here, but there is certainly a reward in Heaven awaiting those who are faithful!!! Help me Lord to be faithful so that I may lay that crown at Your feet.👣

Posted in Christian Service, Family, Leadership, Life Inspiration, Political

What Did You Think Was Going to Happen?

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That’s the question that every American and especially every American Child of God should ask themselves. When we relinquished full control to the Government of the United States, why are we surprised when life’s not ending well? 

But, most will say, that was far, far before my time. I didn’t relinquish my rights to the government, my ancestors did. Touché! But what about now? How much privilege do we allow the hierarchy in our lives to have? 

Those are tough questions that requires answers on an individual level. So today, in frustration with the current state of affairs on both the local, state  and national fronts, I went to the Word of God for advice, for you and me!

1 Samuel 8:1-19 KJV

And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. [2] Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beer–sheba. [3] And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment. [4] Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, [5] And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. [6] But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. [7] And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. [8] According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. [9] Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them. [10] And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. [11] And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. [12] And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. [13] And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. [14] And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. [15] And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. [16] And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. [17] He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. [18] And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day. [19] Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;

So here was Samuel with one foot on a banana peel and the other in the grave where he had been Israel’s go to as Priest. But now Israel comes to him and informs him that they’d like an earthly leader, not God. Well, that worked out well didn’t it? In case you didn’t know, it didn’t. The leader they chose was a Saul. Not because of skill, but but because he looked like a leader. When God chose His first earthly leader (even though that was still not His intended plan) He chose a man who looked like anything but a leader. A young, ruddy (red faced) man who took care of the sheep. The lowest job in the land. The man we now know as the mighty king David. A man after God’s own heart. 

But let’s first go back to Samuel. While Samuel was a man of godly principals and wisdom, he raised two heathens of the Hunter Biden sect. This was the reasoning of the people to want a new leader outside the church. And so they were given Saul, a very flawed man. 

So life for God’s people changed at that point and they were no longer just under God’s law, but mans as well. And so the stupidity began when ungodly leaders made decisions and the people of God determined there was nothing they could do about it. Even though Samuel was told by God to tell the people this is a terrible idea, they didn’t listen.  

The end result was just as Samuel said, the government had control of their money, their property and worst of all – their children.

Now let’s take a look at what the New Testament leaders tell us. 

Romans 13:1

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

The leadership of today is ordained by God. It is our job as Christians to obey the laws of man, unless they’re in violation of the laws of God. 

Acts 4:18-20 KJV

And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. [19] But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. [20] For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

So where does that put us as Christians in the turmoil of everyday life when it comes to living godly in a wicked world. When the school insists that your child be taught against the very laws of God, what are we to do? When our jobs tell us that we have to “approve” of unbiblical lifestyles?

The reason that America has gotten to the point that it has is because good people said nothing when God’s laws were violated. Why have public schools been permitted to teach absolute sexual immorality to children in kindergarten and middle school children can receive birth control or encouragement to lie to their parents about their “chosen identity?” Because parents have been lied to and deceived about their rights and because we’re electing spineless legislators. But it’s also parents don’t think church is important. Parents are naive to believe children will just “be good,” without understanding that Hell is a very real place.  I know that statement is harsh and will not be well received by many, but we have to speak truth to one another. Else we’ll never make a difference. 

When Samuel was stepping into the grave, God didn’t cut him any slack regarding his sons. This serves as a warning that even the best of people can have children in trouble. Why they turned out the way they did, it doesn’t say. But I can use modern times to reason it out. Even people in the ministry can get too busy for their own good. 

Don’t let anything come between you and your family knowing God. Your first priority should be that you and your family are prepared to face eternity, and through that you’ll learn how to become a productive family. Don’t step away from your responsibilities to impact the world for Christ. Which means speaking up when evil comes against our families in the form of wicked leadership.