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Perserverance

Perseverance

by GOD TV April 8, 2022

written by GOD TV

I want to encourage you today out of James 1:2, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” The Bible says that we can be mature and complete, not lacking anything. I mean, that’s the closest thing to perfection, which is just leading to Him and letting whatever is going on right now in your life that may be testing you. Let it form the fruit that it wants to form, right?

So you’re like a tree right now, and you’re getting rooted and you’re waiting, and you’re about to push through the ground to become this beautiful tree. So you’re mostly like a seed right now. You’re about to push the ground to become the tree. But the pushing part, right? You’re like, why am I pushing? And it says right here that, don’t worry, get excited if you’re facing trials, that’s exciting. This seed is now becoming a tree. It just doesn’t feel like it or look like it right now. But it says, if you let it “finish its work”, verse four, if you “let it finish its work, that you may be mature and complete.” So you want to be mature, you want to be complete, you want to be in full bloom? Let it do its work. It’s coming.

So I want to pray for you for that to happen for you. God, I pray for my friend. I pray that my friend feels this when they’re going through a really hard time when they don’t understand why it’s taking so long, when they don’t understand why the push is so hard. When they don’t think you’re there anymore, they think you walked away. Remind them that the testing of their faith produces perseverance, which is an amazing, beautiful fruit to have in the rest of their life. I pray this over them in Jesus’ Mighty Name, encourage them and fill them with love. Amen.

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Don’t Give Up, Stand Up In The Promises Of God

by Margaret Green May 11, 2021

written by Margaret Green

We will experience setbacks and set outs in life that will cause us to question our faith and the validity of the promises of God. Have you ever lost something after working hard to get it, and wondered why the Lord allowed you to lose it? Especially after working so hard and tenaciously to get it? You find yourself at a dead-end starting to wonder if you missed a turn signal or a do not pass go sign?

After exhausting all of our resources which consists of how and when we feel things should go, we often find ourselves suddenly lacking the energy, the time, the strength, and the push to do it any longer. Instead of a blessing, the gift or thing we sought God after starts to become a burden.

Don’t Be Deceived By How You Feel

We find ourselves going back and forth, thinking of things we could have done better, rehearsing the choices we made, and things we said or did that could have possibly hindered the process of the promise. We even begin to self-sabotage the promises of God spoken directly to us through prayer, by his prophets, or messengers feeling as if He has disappeared and made himself obsolete from our life. Holding on to what we see, and not what the Lord said, we allow our past mistakes or the test before to dictate our next move.

God said in his word that he will never leave us nor forsake us. When things are tough and the rain is pouring and the winds of life are blowing and the seas are ragging, Jesus is in the situation to bring calm and clarity to it all.

The Pitcher Needs A Refill

As a pitcher, who constantly pours, consistent refills are important to maintaining strength and balance to keep going. The scripture says not by might, nor by power but by his spirit. Physical strength eventually becomes weak when met with the right opponent or opposition. In the flesh, we are limited to fighting battles when battles are designed to be fought in the spirit. We must understand that there will be adversities that will spring up, but we must understand how to approach and fight, and last but not least, knowing when it’s necessary to stop and get recharged in prayer and in the word of God.

God’s Got You

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. You will only have as much power as you have a prayer life. And only as much oil in the engine to continue going as you have faith and trust in the Lord. That is why God’s word said to build yourself up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.

In His spirit, there is endless strength. As children of the Heavenly Father, we are privileged to pull from that strength at any time of the day or hour through the Holy Spirit who empowers us to be able to fight the attacks of the enemy whether the attack takes the form of fatigue, loss of direction, wanting to give up, doubt, impatience, rejection, or just simply feeling zapped.

You can always rest assured, that if the wind is blowing, there is a conquering win approaching! There is a full pledge victory on the horizon. God is always several steps ahead of an approaching storm or situation. Even when we are experiencing “promise fatigue,” the word of God provides strength for renewal, refreshing, and refilling.

You Are Getting Your Strength Back

Hagar after serving for many years and even giving birth to a son by her master Abraham was put out of the camp with her child, her gift. Instantly uprooted from the place she grew to call home. Her place of refuge, covering, and protection was now nonexistent. She went from having access to wells of water to only a cruse of water (a bottle of water). The cruse of water which was life-sustaining eventually ran out. This caused her so much grief, tears, and frustration, forcing her to walk away from her gift.

The help and the resources she had for the last 13 years as Ishmael was growing up were no longer available to her. She found herself in the wilderness stripped and depleted of everything she once had access to and the life she had become accustomed to. What she did not realize, is that she had something so much bigger than what she lost, she had a promise from God. And His promises outweigh any situation on this earth we may face.

Hold On To The Promise

Although she wanted to give up, the Lord sent a reminder of his promises. He reminded her, that who she gave birth to was not only going to do great and amazing things but He was going to be right there with them. Although the cruse of water Hagar drank from, ran out, God’s promises did not run out! His word showed up right on time giving her the strength she needed to get back up, pick back up her gift, and keep moving forward!

We must continue to remind ourselves daily of God’s promises. It releases the strength we need to get back up. The enemy loves a tired fighter because he’s counting on the tap out. We may find ourselves in a place of feeling stuck, in the wilderness, put out, without strength, tired, discouraged, and in an uncomfortable place, fully exhausted, and feeling hopeless without resources or direction but one thing’s for sure, we can trust in the word of the Lord and his thoughts toward us according to Jeremiah 29:11 as his purposeful plan for our life which gives us the strength needed to get back up!

May 11, 2021 0 comment

Articles

10 Reasons To Never Stop Praying

by Nicole D Roberts September 25, 2020

written by Nicole D Roberts

For the past seven months, we have been tested and tried. And faced unprecedented, unplanned changes in our everyday lives. For so many reasons, there are some that have been praying to stay in faith despite the dark seasons, and some that have given up. Many may ask, “Why is it important to never stop praying when we are faced with COVID-19, destruction all over the world? And such ongoing negative things happening? Will I hear God, will my prayers be answered?”

“Be encouraged these challenging times are temporary and no weapon formed against you will prosper.” (Isaiah 54:17)

Here are 10 reasons to never stop praying:

Reasons 1-5:

God’s Word works, (Isaiah 55:11).
Great and powerful things happen when you pray, (James 5:16).
The believer’s faith will grow when they pray steadfastly, effectively and fervently, (James 5:16).
The Supreme and Sovereign God of the Universe encourages us to always pray and to never stop, (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
This is your spiritual weapon of warfare against the enemy (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). This spiritual weapon of prayer knows no boundaries and can go places where you cannot go, for example healing cancer, opening once difficult opportunities and, as a result, turning your situation around.

6-10:

6. This is how we fight our battles while we wait, rest in God’s Presence and stand on His unfailing eternal Word. Remember that God will never and cannot lie (Numbers 23:19).

7. Praying draws you closer to God, our Father in heaven.

8. Praying encourages you to learn the Word and equips you to pray it back to God. As a result, you are speaking the same language for His Words are spirit and life (John 6:63).

9. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Alas, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield crops, (James 5:17-18).

10. Finally, Hannah prayed for a son, she was discouraged and she poured out her heart to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:15). Her plea was heard, God answered her prayers, God granted her request, she gave birth to Samuel, (1 Samuel 1:19-20).

September 25, 2020 0 comment

Articles Faith

A Weeble Does Indeed Wobble, But Doesn’t Fall

by Corine Channell October 21, 2019

written by Corine Channell

There are days when I definitely feel like I am wobbling, which simply means “moving unsteadily from side to side.” I am kind of my own version of that carnival ride “The Tilt-a-Whirl”! Or maybe a life-sized version of a Weeble!

“Created in 1971 by Hasbro’s Playskool, Weebles are an egg-shaped toy that has a weight located at the bottom that causes it to be lifted off the ground. Once released, gravity brings the Weebles back into an upright position.” They are little short stubby people or animals that can NOT be tipped over. They can be thrown around, kicked over, tossed to the side, lost under the couch, and swaying side to side – BUT they can NOT fall flat to the ground.

My best friend and I have been friends for almost 40 years. We used to walk a lot faster and we used to get up a lot quicker. We were laughing (hard) the other night at both of us slowly rising from our seats, while moaning about how it hurt, standing unsteadily a few seconds before walking, and then kind of looking like penguins wobbling into the next room. By the time we both got to where we were going, we were laughing so hard we were crying – and all I could think of was we looked like Weebles.

Wobbling Along

Yes, wobbling comes with physical aging (I sigh deeply). However, it really is also a part of living the entire span of human life. From babies, we wobble our way through. This is not just physical – mentally, emotionally and spiritually we will all go through personal phases of being changeable, inconsistent, unstable, unsettled, and unpredictable.

How do we find a place of consistency, stability, and become unmovable? How do we ever find our “steady on”? What would cause us to ever find our way, and a sure path for our feet?

Weeble: A Weighty Bottom

Back to the simple toy at hand – why does a Weeble NOT fall down? It has a weighted bottom. It has such a heavy (of great force and amount) foundation under it. Even though it sways and wobbles, it won’t fall over.

I want MY foundation in Jesus to be SO heavy, so weighty, so forceful in itself that I can NOT and will NOT be able to be destroyed by the enemy of my soul. And I want to pass this on to my children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I want to pass on the legacy of being a Weeble.

I wonder if THIS is what it means in the Bible? When it says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he shall NOT depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) As parents and grandparents, do not for a minute think that any training you do is not important. It is valuable – if not for today, then for someday! You are adding the weight to a child’s foundation. And helping them build a solid place to stand even if they don’t see it or know it yet.

IF God is our weighty bottom, our sure foundation, and our solid rock on which to stand, then we may wobble but we WON’T fall down.

Cast Down But Not Destroyed

“Humans wobble, but they can still end up on their feet.” We won’t stay down or be kept down! In modern-day language, “what doesn’t kill ya, makes ya stronger.” Yes, we will wobble – we will look like the end is near even. BUT if our roots and foundation are where they should be, we can NOT be knocked down.

Have you ever watched a tree swaying in a wind storm? You are sure at some point it is going over on its side, but it just stands firm. Life itself is one big monster-sized wind storm that will barrage us every single day, from birth to death. What matters is the depth of your roots. “Roots are the part of a plant which attaches it to the ground or to a support, typically underground, conveying water and nourishment to the rest of the plant via numerous branches and fibers.” THIS is your weighty bottom. It has a great density for your soul. It will bring you back to your upright position.

“We are pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair. We are hunted down but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8,9)

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October 21, 2019 0 comment

Faith

God Is Who He Says He Is

by Corine Channell August 2, 2019

written by Corine Channell

How do we know that God is who He says He is?

Sometimes life is definitely not unicorns and rainbows and gourmet truffles. Sometimes life can be full of pain, injustice and heartbreak. In those times our heart wrenches with the thought: Where is God?

He’s right there. In the pain and the injustice and heartbreak, He is standing nearby. The problem is we can’t always see Him there. That’s when this journey completely and utterly comes down to trust. Either we believe God is who He say He is – good father, father to the fatherless, defender of the widow, shelter from the storm – or, we don’t.

But the truth is that He is who He says He is.

Just stop and do nothing. Take a minute and just be present in your storm, in the middle of the mess. Take one minute to let Jesus show up.

He will show up

He comes to the deepest reservoir of your broken soul – He comes to those who cry out to Him. He would NEVER walk by someone who is desperately reaching out to His hand. We just are so consumed by our pain that we don’t see Him. Or we expect Him to show up in the way we think we need or want. All I know for sure is that He will show up.

I have had multiple life experiences that were soul-crushing, destructive, and the goal from the dark side was definitely to take me out. If we are gone, we have no voice – no story – nothing to share with others to help stop their pain. I always say that the “don’t give up” part of me, is just in my DNA. I don’t claim an ounce of credit for this. It is something in me that just will not let me “check out” or give up. Oh, I want to sometimes. Sometimes I do entertain the dark thought of “I’m done! I can’t do this anymore.”

He just shows up. I call His name from the deepest darkest corner of my heart:

JESUS!

And, I just know He is there.

Nothing changes right away; the storm rages on; the pain is still crippling; the injustice is still mocking my name; the heartbreak is still overwhelming. BUT just that fast when He shows up inside of me, I feel something I can hardly explain. I feel peace. Peace IN the storm; peace IN the pain; peace IN the injustice; peace IN the heartbreak. This peace sustains my weary soul, holds my heart together, silences my fears, shuts the mouth of the accusing voices, and I can rest – literally – I rest in WHO JESUS IS.

And then – Jesus

I have learned this the hard way. Let me explain.

I went through a very dark time. I knew what to do – I knew to pray and read the Word, and let others minister to me. I just couldn’t. I just disappeared into my darkness. I allowed myself to listen to the lies and I agreed with them. I allowed myself to entertain the enemy of my soul.

He lies with truth. (what?) Yes. He takes things that are true and uses them against you. “You failed”. This is true. So he shows up and reminds you that you indeed failed. THEN he goes further with the lies that tell you that you are worthless/you screwed it all up/you don’t deserve to even be alive.

But Jesus would never mock you or condemn you. Ever.

Satan is called THE FATHER OF LIES. Remember that. His only goal is to destroy you through his lies.

When you find yourself in the dark night of the soul, and the voices are screaming and the darkness is suffocating – cry out to Jesus. And then, trust that He has heard you; trust that no matter what lies you have heard or even believed, that HE is on your side.

The truth is THIS – you are loved, you are valued, you are NOT hopeless, you are NOT a failure, you are NOT unredeemable, you are NOT unfixable, your family is NOT unfixable. NOTHING is impossible in the loving hands of the God who loves you relentlessly. When I ” got nothing”, I know I got God. And that is enough – with or without instant answers or changes.

He is who He says he is

“That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 34)

I am safe in His arms. I will stay in the boat. And there I will rest until He speaks to the storm – “Peace. Be still.”

August 2, 2019 1 comment

Video

The Often-Untapped Power for Lasting Breakthrough

by Kyle Winkler June 8, 2019

written by Kyle Winkler

Many years ago, while flipping through the channels, I stumbled across an enticing infomercial. This one was stacked with uber-fit people all attributing their rock-solid abs to some electronic stimulator belt. Strap it on for “just 15 minutes a day and you’ll have a six pack in no time,” it touted. It had my attention. Within minutes of their “abs-with-no-effort” spiel, I was sold.

A couple weeks later, I opened the package of my newly-arrived miracle worker in great anticipation of major life change. I lathered up my tummy with its “toning gel,” affixed the belt, sat down for a TV show, and pressed “go.”

Results with No Effort

Now here’s a spoiler alert: after weeks of zaps, stings and shocks, I had plenty of redness on my skin from irritation, but my belly was unchanged. My hopes were dashed—the “abracadabra abs” device didn’t work.

When you think about it, don’t we get caught up in the same for our spiritual battles? We authors sometimes joke that the bestselling book might be titled, “How to Get Your Breakthrough by Sitting on the Couch.” Of course, we say this tongue-in-cheek, but it’s true. Wouldn’t you log on to your favorite bookstore in seconds if there were something that—not just claimed—but assured an instant result with no effort on your part? I would.

Spoiler alert again: there’s no such “religious regimen.”

The Key to Complete Transformation

The first line of Proverbs 13:11 cautions us against “get-rich-quick” schemes. “Easy come, easy go,” it warns (MSG). The same may be said about “get-your-breakthrough-quick” schemes. They just don’t last. The next line of the proverb, however, reveals the real answer to how to get and keep real results. “Steady diligence pays off,” it instructs. In other words, complete transformation doesn’t often happen overnight, but over time, with the power of perseverance.

Thankfully, on the resurrection side of the cross, perseverance isn’t about muscling through in your own strength. Jesus did the muscling for you. But you do have to continue to stand on what His work provided. This is the essence of what Paul wrote in detailing the armor we’re given to win our spiritual battles. “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all the strategies of the devil,” he charged (Ephesians 6:11).

The Power of Standing

The enemy would love to sell you on some magic solution in order to later show you that it didn’t work and convince you that your situation is therefore hopeless. Don’t buy it. Know that transformation most often happens through the constant process of standing upon God’s Word despite what’s going on in or around you. It’s in the steadfast position that the issues you face don’t define you and won’t defeat you. You win when you won’t let up, give up, back up or shut up, but stay standing up on God’s promises for your life.

[P.S. If you need helping standing on God’s promises, my Experience Freedom album is a perfect resource. It features 65 minutes of spoken scriptures on 15 topics, all backed by instrumental music. Plus, each scripture is coupled with a personalized declaration to help you identify with its truth. Check it out.]

June 8, 2019 0 comment

Faith

How to Stop Negativity in its Tracks

by Jessica Kastner October 12, 2018

written by Jessica Kastner

Negativity is a natural human response. Especially nowadays when we’re surrounded by viral outbreaks, terror threats, and a spirit of worldliness that seems to be worsening by the nanosecond. It can be so hard remaining hopeful and determined to focus on the good, especially in difficult circumstances and environments, but keeping a God-centered perspective is the best way to combat negative thoughts, and it works.

Make Every Thought Captive…or at Least the Nasty Ones

Negativity is just a result of thoughts existing out of God’s will. 2 Cor. 10:5 says to take every thought captive to Christ. That means literally transferring every thought that whispers ‘you can’t do that,’ or ‘I wish I was her,’ or ‘ I’ll never get this right,’ and handing it over to the Lord. Plagued by thoughts you’ll never make it through your daughters’ rebellious teenage years? “All yours Lord!” Doubting you can make it another day with a boss that drives you nuts? “Another one for you, God!” It’s tough resisting negativity when your boss hijacks your intellectual property and stamps his name on your reports, but positivity is a mental exercise that trains your heart and your brain to see things through God’s eyes.

Like any spiritual exercise, it takes some practice, but it helps to think, “how would Jesus think and act in this situation? Even if we’d be right, in the natural, to feel and act negatively, God calls us to let go and think differently. With a willing spirit, nothing is impossible with Him.

Focus on the Positive, Even When You Need a Microscope

When we’re feeling negative about a certain circumstance, others or about ourselves, it does wonders by letting God change our perspective. If we focus on Him, His goodness, His love and faithfulness, we can see past our negative thoughts. If you’re on hour no. 2 of sword fighting with your kids and you think your brain might de-combust at any moment, focus on the good—their cute voices, and the fact that soon they’ll be too cool to play Star Wars with mom—I mean, Obi-Wan. If you feel like you have greater chances of discovering life on Mars than losing that last ten pounds, focus on the fact that you’re healthy and have the ability to exercise and move, when so many don’t. Rinse, repeat, and avoid complex carbs… they can’t be trusted.

Think about Heaven

More specifically, what life on this Earth really means. Okay, this might seem like a desperate, last ditch Hallmarked effort to perk a friend up, but in all seriousness, think about the eternal destiny of our lives when you’re really struggling with negative thoughts or facing extremely negative odds. I think we see the timeline of our existence all wrong. The Bible refers to this life as “but a vapor,” where our total purpose is to love and be loved by God and love others. No matter how hard I’ve tried, I can’t find any other purpose for life on Earth but to love the Lord and help others know Him, through love. I think if we could imagine our lives really beginning when we’re perfected in Heaven, we’d have different priorities, expectations, and feel a lot less disappointment and experience much less negativity.

When feeling negative, I’ve placed my darkest struggles in the light of eternity, knowing that we’ll be spending our entire lives in beauty, joy, and total happiness and peace, with no limitations, fear, or worry. It really has helped.

Worship…Even through Gritted Teeth

The enemy uses negativity to rob us of our strength, joy, and peace. If he can control our thoughts and keep us thinking the worst, he’s won. Worshiping God is the single most effective tool to blast negativity. I’ve been in the depths of despair—that nasty post-break up kind of sorrow—and after army-crawling over to the Bethel Music playlist, I’ve gone from weeping to smiling within minutes. Worship changes the atmosphere and attacking/negative thought can’t remain in a room with Jesus. (Sing it, Jenn Johnson.)

My life has never been a smooth ride, both for circumstantial reasons and self-imposed strife. Since getting saved, I’ve made huge mistakes, experienced some tough financial struggles, had a rough and rocky marriage, experienced divorce, and so many other struggles that are common to so many. I can honestly say no matter the circumstance or difficult season of life, I’m pretty sure I’ve worshipped almost every day. I remember driving to live at my mother’s house during our second (SECOND!!) marriage separation—three kids and a Pathfinder packed full to the brim, singing along to Kim Walker Smith’s “Walk with Me” at the top of my lungs, feeling sincere and pure joy, during a moment that should definitely have felt like despair.

Worshipping in the storm might seem like a generic remedy to some, but when you’re singing yourself to sleep as a grownup in your old high school bedroom with window nailed shut because you roof-jumped so much, the joy is real.

Teach Your Heart to Trust

Negativity is, in many cases, just a lack of trust. When we think the worst about a circumstance, we’re not really believing Phil. 4:13’s “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” If we let negativity take over— “I’ll never qualify for the loan” or “my marriage will never get better,” we’re limiting our reliance on God. It can be so difficult, but if we allow our hearts to totally trust in the Lord, He’s faithful to change our attitudes and our circumstances. But if we take Him at His Word, believing He’s greater than what we’re facing, and really apply Phil. 4:8—“whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things”—to our thought patterns, we’ll experience true freedom from negativity. It’s amazing.

One of my favorite true stories is about Huang Yizi, a Chinese pastor, who felt grateful for being sentenced to prison for his faith, because prison is a way to reach the lost. He had joy in the gravest of circumstances. There is absolutely a way to remain positive in the midst of negativity. Amen.

Jessica Kastner shares her “fluff-free” commentary at jessicakastner.com. She just released a new book, Hiding from the Kids in My Prayer Closet, and she serves as CT coordinator for Straight Ahead Ministries, leading Bible studies at juvenile detention centers.

Hiding from the Kids in My Prayer Closet: Finding Grace and Laughter When Motherhood Gets Real is available through Amazon HERE.

October 12, 2018 0 comment

News

Social Media – Censorship or Bias? It’s Freedom’s Safest Place, Right?

by GOD TV August 22, 2018

written by GOD TV

Censorship

It’s happening folks – EVERYWHERE and the word you are looking for is CENSORSHIP.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

At first it was not very noticeable at all, however, as time has gone on not only are high-profile Christians and conservatives being targeted but us regular folks are too – et moi included! So what does censorship actually mean? Well, the dictionary definition is interesting:

“The suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc. that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security.”

Indeed, my experiences may not have gripped the nation’s headlines, however, many others have including Diamond and Silk for ‘political bias’, GOP Candidate Elizabeth Heng who was told by Facebook: “We don’t allow ads that contain shocking, disrespectful or sensational content.” Initially the advert was banned by Facebook, however, following several appearances in the media by Ms Heng, the ad was eventually allowed to run. LINK.

As the list lengthens, you have to ask yourself – is it really censorship we are witnessing or something else?

While some people might suggest that these high profile cases are ‘only celebrities so what do they expect?’ We must consider that their experiences are no less damaging or distressing than they are for us who are also experiencing bans and suspensions from various chats and video/ social media websites. Please note – many have paid out a lot of money on adverts etc., just to have their voices heard and promote their causes.

Private or Public?

The problem is this, as unbelievable as it may seem the social media platforms claim that they are private spaces and not public platforms. It would appear that these private spaces now ‘zillion dollar’ businesses are able to float their companies on the market, impact elections, penetrate into every household and yet they will suspend, ban and in effect mute the voices of those trying to express themselves.

To many it feels like there is bias involved in some of the regulators decision making. Mark Zuckerberg’s recent Congressional Hearing and various reports in the mainstream media confirm that Social Media’s apparent ‘self-regulation’ is failing the user. LINK

In addition, chronic privacy concerns have plagued many platforms. Last year, The Guardian’s Nick Hopkins published a very interesting feature called “Revealed: Facebook’s internal rulebook on sex, terrorism and violence.” It is very informative and gives an insight into the ‘decision making’ process.

Targeting?

In the last month, controversial figure Alex Jones received a ‘blanket ban’ across the majority of social media sites. This caused many to raise their eyebrows. Although, Mr Jones may not be palatable viewing/listening for some, millions do follow him. The question on everyone’s lips – Mr Jones is an American – fact. Therefore is he not covered by the First Amendment as we all are?

I’m pretty sure that there is only one place that interprets the law in the United States and that is the Supreme Court. In June this year it made a decision in the Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission case. They upheld the decision that Mr Phillips, a Christian man and a baker, had endured “religious hostility” for refusing to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding.

Now, only two months later the Commission is filing against Mr Phillips again. This time Phillips is not agreeing to make a custom cake celebrating transgenderism. It is obvious that Christian’s and conservative’s civil, creative and religious liberties are being tested to the full. So does this mean that every time a person, who reserves the right to serve others, is going to find themselves in a legal battle.

Persecution?

While these ‘attacks’ are frustrating and I believe they are yet another sign of the times. They can chip away at the general consensus and/or opinion on Christians, Christianity and Conservatism. It is almost like as a believer you are not allowed to have an opinion. In John 16:33 Jesus said:

Andrew Brunson, from North Carolina, is in a Turkish prison on terrorism charges that his family calls “totally false.”

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Jesus’ words have never sounded so current set against a backdrop of what Christians are enduring globally each day. Frightening statistics uncover a hidden truth that is rarely mentioned or written about. However, Newsweek in January this year reported that ‘Christian persecution and genocide is worse now than any time in history.’ The report by Aid to the Church in Need commented:

“Not only are Christians more persecuted than any other faith group, but ever-increasing numbers are experiencing the very worst forms of persecution.”

This has been highlighted by the high-profile case of American Pastor Andrew Brunson in Turkey. This complex case has caught the attention of political and religious leaders across the globe. We pray for Pastor Brunson’s strength, endurance and release and appeal to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to extend the hand of mercy and kindness to a fellow human being.

So, my friends lift up your heads and remember:

“Only conduct your lives in a way worthy of the Good News of the Messiah; so that whether I come and see you or I hear about you from a distance, you stand firm, united in spirit, fighting with one accord for the faith of the Good News,” (Philippians 1:27 )

This article was written by Karin McBride-Chenoweth, an award-winning writer, editor and publisher of Christian and secular works in Europe and the USA. Originally from Northern Ireland, Karin now lives in the USA.

August 22, 2018 0 comment

Articles Faith

7 Things to Remember When You Face a Storm

by Chandi Perera May 24, 2018

written by Chandi Perera

We will all face a storm at some point in our lives, however Christians know who to turn to. As we keep our eyes on Jesus, we can rely on Him.

Stormy seas in life, are inevitable for all people. As the Bible says John 16:33, “In this world we shall have tribulation”. It is non-negotiable and cannot be side stepped; but for the Christian, the verse follows through to say “but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Furthermore, James 1:2-4 says: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Counting it all joy may sound absurd for those who critically analyze what James is saying. It doesn’t fit with the natural mind. However the Word of God operates at a much higher level. Navigating the rough seas of a personal trial, I took time to ponder on this verse and the following seven points surfaced which I would like to share with you.

7 things to remember when you’re in a storm

Embrace the One who can calm the storm. In a moment of deep distress we have two choices. We can weather the storm by facing the One who is able to calm it, or we can focus our eyes on the storm and drown in it. Choose to count it all joy and keep your eyes on Jesus.
Jesus is very good at showing up in the middle of our storm. It is what He does. If we take time to focus our eyes on Him, He comes to us. There is no cajoling, pleading, supplicating for Him to come. That is what He is best at doing. Coming to us, in the storm. He sees us surrounded by raging waves and He knows we cannot navigate it on our own an He keeps His Word: “I will not leave you nor forsake you”. He comes!
Don’t rely on your human strategies, expertise or spirituality. It is Jesus Who calms the storm. As Psalm 107:29 “He calms the storm, so that its waves are still.” The waves know who to obey. Trust Him.
When we focus on Him, in the storm, we drop the unnecessary. In a storm, we no longer need to wear a mask, our wings are clipped and our ability to move forward is curtailed. We are surrounded by a storm. When we keep on gazing up at His face and meeting Him in the eye, when we keep our eyes on Jesus, we know what baggage we need to drop and what tools we need to pick up. He lightens us and equips us – when we look Him in the eye, in the storm.
Storms are an ideal time to develop faith and hope – Romans 5:3-5. Waiting, watching and trusting for Him to come through for us in the storm, builds perseverance, a patience, a yielding and a submitting. At the end of it all, our hope is not differed, because – HE will surely come!
Nothing can separate us from God’s love. As Romans 8:38-39 says, nothing, absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God and He is no man that He should lie. He comes because He supremely loves you and I. He loved us, way before we ever came to know Him. He will not allow His beloved to drown in a storm, surely! So, He comes.
God will use the storm to establish and prove you. When He commands the waves to be still and calms the storm God establishes and proves us, because after all, we are His workmanship created for good works, long before we were born. He will come so that we can continue the good works He has ordained for us.

With these seven things in mind, I choose to keep my eyes on Jesus and not at the waves that rage around me. Will you?

May 24, 2018 0 comment