Do You Have Something to Say?

10 02 2023

confused-man

When I was in training for the Christian ministry nearly 60 years ago, a wise pastor charged me with a profound directive. “Don’t be a preacher who has to say something, be a preacher who has something to say.” This charge truly has directed my life. But, it is not only for pastors or speakers, everyone should take those words to heart. Have something to say. Take life seriously. Live with a purpose; stake your place on solid ground. Know what you believe. Be ready with an answer to the foolishness that has exploded around us in these days. There are answers; God has a Plan. For too long believers have chosen to remain silent. When people speak up things begin to change. It is time to say something! Don’t wait for the big meeting. Do it one-to-one, now.

“But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.”  James 5:12

This is not complicated. Yes or no? Are you with Jesus or against Him? Be ready to explain why you stand for God. Be prepared with “something to say.” The last word in this verse is a little unclear. The actual Greek word in the text is “hypokrisis,” from which we get our English word: hypocrite. An inability to take a clear position leads directly to hypocrisy. Be clear, consistent, and certain. Don’t speak foolishness, say something! Live your life with content. Words matter. Here is a great quote from Ben Franklin:

“If you would not be forgotten, either write something worth reading, or do things worth the writing.” Ben Franklin

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”  1 Peter 3:15-17

“And if it seems evil to you to serve Yehovah, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve Yehovah.”  Joshua 24:15

We still have openings on our Speak to the Dirt! Israel Tour. Just click on the menu tab: 2023 Israel Tour.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for abundant rains on the Glorious Land!

Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists                  (Read more)


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Spiritual Gut Check Time

6 02 2021

Jonah in whale

DO YOUR WORDS and YOUR CHARACTER AGREE? How are you doing, as we navigate these troubled waters of 2021? Is there a difference between the words that you speak and your real character? Spiritual maturity is when your WORDS and your CHARACTER AGREE. Words are cheap; or so the saying goes. How do you do when you compare yourself to the fruit of the Holy Spirit? Have politics and the pandemic provoked you to release words and attitude that don’t compare well with the Holy Spirit?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

Do you have loose lips? Or worse, are you a phoney Christian?  Check your heart. It may be that the real you is a lover of God with a genuine sweet spirit. But have you let your guard down? You may have indulged in harsh words that are only of your flesh and not of your true spirit in Jesus. Which is the real you? It is time for that spiritual gut check. You can actually choose your ultimate character. If you choose the flesh, selfish human nature, you will surely go off the rails. But, if you choose to live in the Holy Spirit, He will grow the kind of character above. Character is not a gift; it is a fruit. It is not immediate. It takes time. The choice is yours as to how you will live. Live by the Holy Spirit and walk by the Holy Spirit. Then your words and character will agree. I pray that the gap both for you and for me will continue to narrow until we are one with God’s character.

Here is a great blog post about Jonah’s attitude against Nineveh that illustrates my point. Please read: When God Doesn’t Burn it All Down by Paige Puckett.

Now finish this little time of reflection by reading the full context of the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:19-25

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for rain.

Les Lawrence, voice of Christian Zionists                 (Read more)


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White Privilege Narrative Danger

6 02 2017

faith

Anarchists are exploiting the white privilege narrative. A fake meme has emerged which claims that there is no hope for minorities because of white privilege. The charge itself can be debated, but the deadly ricochet from the accusation is worse. It is like telling your son: “You lazy good for nothing. You’ll never amount to anything!” Words matter.

FAITH – Christians recognize those words as a curse that can ruin the child’s future. The same is now happening on a massive scale against minorities in the US. It is the opposite of faith and hope. Telling folks they can never advance because of white privilege, is a damnable lie. It is using the words of the devil himself. Jesus declared that all things are possible with God. Faith does not accept limitation. Our nation was built on Biblical faith for everyday challenges. Blessings come from God through walking in His ways of obedience and faith. It actually works. It matters what you believe. If you believe anything is possible with God, you are more likely to succeed. If you believe you can’t win because life isn’t fair or you are a victim of your race or economic status, you will probably fail.

HOPE – What is the American dream? Is it a big house and a fancy car with lots of money? Or, is it believing that in the freedom, liberty and opportunity afforded by this great country, anyone can achieve just about anything they work hard to reach? That is the American dream.

President Obama’s election not only validated that dream, his proclamation of hope and change inspired millions with new faith in the American dream.He used the powerful slogan: “Yes we can!” Ironically, eight years later, we see this ominous cloud of dis-belief. “Yes We Can” was a message of hope, but the fruit was hopelessness

The white privilege narrative is manipulated to convince minorities that there is no hope for them! “No, you can’t!” How utterly contradictory this is to the historical evidence of the Obama win. It is a lie. If blacks cannot make it, how did President Obama, Justice Clarence Thomas, Senator Tim Scott, Ben Carson, actors, lawyers, musicians and athletes by the thousands succeed?

America is not perfect, but it is still the one place where the lowliest person can have a real hope to advance with hard work and faith in God.

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe all things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists       (Read more)


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