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Christians Are Back In The Lions Den by Keith Cook
"But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen." 2 Timothy 4:17,18
Recently, the liberal press and left-wing fanatics are tearing up the airways and presses trying to destroy Christians and people of faith. Like a gagged lion they are striking out at anyone who comes near. Their venom and anger does not seem to have an end. They are attacking Christians, Conservatives, Southerners, Religious, Hispanics, Blacks, Whites, Rich, Poor, Soldiers, Republicans, Talk Show Hosts, and on and on it goes.
I have included quotes from other sources to help point out how serious the problem really is. It is amazing that intelligent, educated, social people can come unglued so fast. So many people are so mad at God and His standards that they cannot stand to be confronted with their sin, short coming, ignorance, or needs. "All have sinned" not just poor uneducated southerners!
Garry Wills writes in the New York Times, "Can a people that believes more fervently in the Virgin Birth than in evolution still be called an Enlightened nation?" He ends by saying that "moral zealots" will scare moderate Republicans with their "jihads". (William Donohue)
The Washington Post's E.J. Dionne swung wildly at windmills blasting away at the "exploitation of strong religious feelings" and the "radical efforts to destroy the achievements of progressive government." (Joe Scarborough)
The New York Times, Gary Hart proclaims, "There is a disturbing tendency to insert theocratic principles into the vision of America's role in the world." (William Donohue)
DeWayne Wicham of USA Today, "Putting God in the public square runs the risk of turning our democracy into a theocracy."
Ellen Goodman, with the Boston Globe, says people like her "don't want their country racked by the fundamentalist religious wars we see across the world." (William Donohue)
Author Barbara Ehrenreich, said we are polarized because of "Christian fundamentalism."
Cynthia Tucker, editorialist at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, blames "black churchgoers" for using the Bible "as a bludgeon" against gays, saying "homophobia" now "oozes across lines of color".
Catholic League president William Donohue says that examples, taken from today's newspapers and Internet sites, prove we need to build more asylums.
(Quotes are from the internet - thanks to William Donohue, The Catholic League, Joe Scarborough, and others)
Jesus said that we would be persecuted, so cheer up. We are!
When does it ever feel good to be picked on? Never, but we have a great example of what to do when picked on. Jesus should be our guide and example.
What would Jesus do?
1. He would forgive them - because He is love not hate.
2. He would try to heal them - anger, pain, rejection, fear, and uncertainty are all signs of spiritual needs.
3. He would not strike back at them - the created is still rebelling against it's creator.
4. He would try to bless them - if they would let Him.
5. He would let them spitefully use Him - but still defeat them. God will ultimately triumph over evil and rule and reign. His death on the cross sealed sin's fate.
6. He would pray for them - pray for their enlightenment and understanding, pray for their eyes to be opened.
7. He would save them - if they called on His name to be saved.
What should we do?
1. Forgive those who act rude, curse us, or rail against God.
2. Let Jesus direct you to bring healing and hope to those who are hurting.
3. Turn the other cheek and refuse to lash out in anger. Demonstrate the love of Jesus.
4. Bless those who curse you and use you. Do something good for the ungodly.
5. Be strong enough to rise above petty differences and do what you know is right. Take a stand against sin, godless policies, and injustice.
6. Pray for all who do not know Christ or who are using religion with an ulterior motive.
7. Let Jesus use you to win them to Christ. Never close a door to making friends for Jesus. Look for open doors to share Jesus.
May God bless you and direct you as you go out to do His will.
This is the opinion of the writer. Not an official stand of On The Go Ministries.
Daily Prayer Focus: Pray for Unity in America. Pray that Christians will continue to stand up for their God Given Beliefs.
On The Go Prayer Focus: The On The Go Staff as we travel today to Portland, Oregon to attend the Innovative Evangelism Confernece with the Luis Palau Association and the Proclamation Evangelism Network. The conferences are scheduled Tuesday through Friday.
Thank you for taking the time to pray for On The Go Ministries. For more information on any our ministries here at On The Go, you may send your questions to info@onthego.org.
Copyright (c) 2003, 2009 Keith Cook - On The Go
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P.O. Box 963, Springfield, TN 37172, (615) 299-0222, www.onthego.org
Founder/Director - Keith Cook, keithcook@onthego.org
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