Category: Making Disciples

Submission to Authorities

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Romans 13:1-7

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad.

Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.

Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Romans 13:1-7 ESV

Here in America I don’t often struggle with obeying our government authorities. I have found that most of their decisions are good. I should obey the speed limit and make a complete stop at a stop sign. I shouldn’t steal or murder or lie in court.

I’m allowed to freely teach my children all the ins and outs of our Christian faith. There is absolutely nothing preventing me from practicing my faith and teaching my children the Bible and all of its practices. Even as a homeschooling parent, my state’s rules allow me the freedom to choose any curriculum I believe that is appropriate for my child.

But what would I do if I lived in a nation that forbade such practices?

  • What if my country regulated what pastors were allowed to say from the pulpit?
  • What if my country said I wasn’t allowed to teach my children the Bible or take them to church?
  • What if my country banned prayer altogether, even a child’s silent prayer before eating lunch or taking a test?
  • What if my nation wouldn’t allow me to choose a private Christian school or Christian homeschooling curriculum?
  • What if my government banned homeschooling altogether?
  • When do I say, “I must obey God rather than men,” (Acts 5:29) and refuse to submit to the government’s orders?

Many of our brothers and sisters in other nations are already wrestling with these issues and I’m afraid many of these issues are already on the horizon for us as well. Please join me in prayer.

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the freedom that we in America have enjoyed for hundreds of years, the freedom to worship You in spirit and in truth, the freedom to teach our children the Word with passion and conviction. I pray that we would make the most of this freedom while we have it. I pray that we would not give up meeting together, and that we would teach our children diligently, verse by verse and precept upon precept. I pray for our brothers and sisters and other nations who do not enjoy these freedoms. I pray that You would give them wisdom about when to submit and when to refuse. Help them to have genuine love for their enemies and to overcome evil with good. Help them to remember that Your Word is their most powerful weapon. Please, Father, fight their battles for them and shelter them under Your wings. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

Call on the Lord and Be Saved

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Romans 10

Dear friends, if you are reading this and have not yet bowed the knee to Jesus, let me appeal to you that you turn to Him today and be saved. Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, left the glories of heaven, took on human flesh, was born as a human baby, lived a perfect and sinless life, performed numerous miracles before thousands of eye witnesses, taught with authority explaining the way of salvation by faith in the One true God. He died on a Roman cross to pay the punishment for the sins of humans like you and me, making a way – the only way – for man to be forgiven by a just and holy God, and now He invites us to trust in Him and be saved from the wrath of God.

My testimony as a former atheist

God is Real: The Eyewitness Testimony of a Former Atheist is available on Amazon or at the bookseller of your choice. Pick up a copy to give to someone you know.

The Perfect Gift from the Perfect Giver

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Romans 4:1-12

My granddaughter recently turned two years old. My husband and I bought her one of those little trampolines for her to jump on to her heart’s content. (Unfortunately, it arrived missing several pieces and had to be sent back, but that’s beside the point for this illustration. 😜)

Imagine if I wrapped up that birthday gift and said, “Here you go, sweetie. If you are really, really good and obey your mommy and daddy every day and go to bed without crying every night and eat all your vegetables every dinner, then next year I’ll give you this amazing gift!”

That wouldn’t be much of a gift, would it?

… And I wouldn’t be much of a giver, would I?

Now to the one who works,
his wages are not counted as a gift
but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness

Romans 4:4-5 ESV

The way I see it, most people around the world today are living in one of two ways:

  • Either they are trying to reach God by being really good …
  • Or, they aren’t trying to reach God at all because they just don’t believe or don’t care.

Well, what if both of those groups are wrong?

What if the truth is that God came to us, reached down to us, and the only way to find Him is by following the path of trust, not the path of trying harder?

Certainly, God wants His children to “work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23) But that hard work is the result of our salvation – rather than the way to salvation. Our good works are the fruit of our rebirth – rather than the means to it. Let’s put things in their proper order.

Like Ephesians 2:8-10 says, it is “by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

God is the perfect giver
and salvation is the perfect gift.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for all of Your many, many gifts: the gift of faith, the gift of salvation, the gift of Your Holy Spirit, the gift of forgiveness, the gift of new life and hope and peace. You are the perfect giver. I pray that I would have a heart of humble gratitude, receiving these gifts with thanksgiving. I pray that You would use me to speak these gifts to the four corners of the world, for the glory of Your Name and the good of my fellow man. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Being a Counter-Cultural Christian

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Romans 1

This one chapter addresses so many modern “hot-button” issues. Jesus is the only way to God. God created the universe. Homosexual relations are shameful acts. Whew! As Christians, we need to align ourselves with what God has clearly spoken, rather than bowing down under the waves of our culture.

We need to be prepared to answer when Satan whispers to us, “Did God actually say…” like he did to Eve in the garden of Eden many centuries ago. We may not have all the answers, but we need to know the Word. When someone asks you, “Where does God say that homosexuality is a sin?” or “Where does the Bible say that God created the world?” will you be able to answer them?

But, let me add a caveat here. As much as I want every Christian to be able to defend their position on these cultural issues, I even more deeply want every Christian to be able to share the gospel, clearly, concisely, and compellingly. Like Romans 1:16-17 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Please, friends, don’t expect people to believe in Biblical ethics if they haven’t trusted in Jesus and received the gift of the Holy Spirit. I remember so many times I argued with Christians about these very topics – all religions are equal, the universe is the product of evolution, homosexuality is a valid lifestyle choice – but I never heard the gospel.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel,
for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16

Heavenly Father, please help us to be different from the culture of the world. Strengthen our faith that we will shine brightly in a dark world. Draw all men to Jesus as we lift Him high. Give us opportunities to proclaim the glorious good news of the gospel and help us to recognize those open doors. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

The Good News of Faith in Jesus – from a Former Atheist
My Testimony as a Former Atheist – The Importance of Sharing the Gospel as well as Follow-Up Discipleship

Suffering and Striving Side-by-Side for the Sake of the Gospel

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Philippians 1:27-2:11

Whether Paul is with the Philippians or whether he is hours away, he wants them to stand firm, having one spirit and one mind with him and with one another, striving side by side for the gospel, not being frightened of anything, because they trust that God is good and that He is on His sovereign throne.

From there Paul moves directly into Philippians 2 which is a more well-known passage, but it’s so good to study it in this context. Paul knows this side-by-side striving for the gospel in the face of opposition will be hard, and they will want to give up, so he writes,

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:1-11 ESV

By His Grace and In His Service, I, Kim, a servant of Christ Jesus write to you. Press on. Jesus is worth it. Keep going. Whether you can see me or not, I’m right here beside you. We are marching lockstep together, in the Lord’s army together, following the same Master, the Master who became the servant, even to death, death on a cross. We are each chains linked together in the bonds of the Spirit for the sake of the gospel. We need each other. And we can stand firm by the power of God at work in us. For the sake of all those lost souls and for the sake of the Name of our Savior and Lord, press on.

To live is Christ. To die is gain.

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Philippians 1:12-26

“…To live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Philippians 1:21 ESV

To live is Christ.

To die is gain.

Is my faith really that strong that I can truthfully repeat these words of Paul with my own lips?

  • To live is Christ — Is my life truly hidden in Christ, led by Christ, in submission to Christ?
  • To die is gain — Am I certain-sure that heaven is real and that I’m going there?

The world shouts, “Pursue riches. Pursue fame. Pursue power and beauty and praise. Take it easy. Enjoy life. You do you. Do what makes you happy. YOLO.”

But the Word whispers, “Pursue what makes for peace and building others up. (Romans 14:19) Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness. (1 Timothy 6:11) Work hard. Enjoy Me. Be conformed to My likeness. Do what makes Me happy. YOLO.”

Which voice am I listening to?

Oh, Heavenly Father, I only live once. It has been appointed for me to some day die and to stand before Your throne. Teach me to number my days that I might have a heart of wisdom. Give me the humility I need to count others more significant than myself, to look out for the interests of others. Make my faith firm and unwavering, that I can utter these words with complete conviction, “To live is Christ. To die is gain.” In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain, the One who is Worthy to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. Amen.

See: Hebrews 9:27, Psalm 90:12, Revelation 5:12

My Worth is not in What I Own

Evidence for the Existence of God is All Around Us! Ray Comfort, Living Water Ministries

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Evidence for the existence of God is all around us – Ray Comfort, Living Water Ministries

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.

So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Romans 1:18-23 ESV

As a former atheist myself, I had exchanged the glory of the immortal God for the wisdom of man, my own wisdom, what seemed right to me, what I wanted to believe.

In all honesty, I wasn’t open-minded. I didn’t want to hear the other person’s side. I couldn’t listen to the simple logic that the evidence of creation is evidence of a creator.

But praise be to God that He opened my eyes to the truth of not only a Creator God, but also His Son, Jesus Christ, my savior, who died in my place, taking on the punishment that I deserved by His death on the cross.

Will you please join me in praying for those who are still stuck in the devil’s snare of atheism?

Heavenly Father, please open the eyes of those who are stuck in the devil’s snare of atheism. Please help them to humble themselves and to be open minded enough to listen to the truth that creation demands a creator, that the intelligent design that we see in DNA is evidence of an intelligent designer. And then, Lord, draw them to bow the knee to Jesus Christ, as their Lord and Savior. I pray that you would put each of us in the path of someone who is ready to hear the gospel. Help us to see that opportunity and to make the most of it. Help us, Father, to always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is in us and to do it with gentleness and respect. Help us to defend the gospel, not cave to fear and cowardice and selfishness. In the name of Jesus Christ, our King, we pray. Amen

Is God a Sadistic, Genocidal Murderer?

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Numbers 33-36

“And the LORD spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you and destroy all their figured stones and destroy all their metal images and demolish all their high places. And you shall take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given the land to you to possess it. You shall inherit the land by lot according to your clans. To a large tribe you shall give a large inheritance, and to a small tribe you shall give a small inheritance. Wherever the lot falls for anyone, that shall be his. According to the tribes of your fathers you shall inherit. But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell. And I will do to you as I thought to do to them.”

Numbers 33:50-56 ESV

Two weeks ago I published a YouTube video based on the Aaronic Prayer of Blessing from Numbers 6:24-26. Within 24 hours, I’d received a comment from an atheist accusing God of committing genocide and demanding young virgins as war booty to serve in his temple.

I have continued thinking about this man’s comments as I’ve read chapter by chapter through Numbers. I don’t want to read the scriptures through the lenses of my own bias or preconceived notions. I want to have eyes and ears that search for the truth. So, what is it?

  • Is the God of the Bible a genocidal murderer, cruelly wiping out whole nations?
  • Is He a sadist, getting pleasure out of inflicting pain?
  • Or is He the holy, loving, good Father that I believe Him to be?

Friends, it’s so important to read the Bible – or any book for that matter – in context. Just like you could carefully cut one sentence from my blog and twist it to say something totally different than what I truly meant, likewise a person can take a sentence from the Bible to mean something totally different from what God is actually communicating.

Here is Numbers 33, we better understand God’s command for the Israelites to completely wipe out and drive out the inhabitants of the land. God knows the future of the men, women, and children currently living in Canaan as well as the future of the Israelites that He is bringing in to possess the land. God knows that the Canaanites will not repent. God knows they will be thorns and barbs to the Jewish people, leading them into idolatry and immorality. God always wants always for His good as well as for the good of His people.

The Lord truly is “a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:6-7)

The Lord’s blessings extend to the thousands. His forgiveness is boundless. But our sin does have consequences – upon our own lives and even down to our children, grandchildren, and great grand children. We see this again and again in the story of these faithless, complaining Israelites – as well as in our own modern lives.

So, you can read Numbers and decide that God is a cruel tyrant … or you can read Numbers and walk away more sure than ever that God is a just, faithful, forgiving, patient Father.

What did you decide?

Heavenly Father, I pray for those who have been hurt by the church, who have gotten glimpses of your truth but have chosen to turn away from Your grace. Please, Father, bring them back to You and have mercy on them. Just like the Israelites who tested You time and again with their complaints, for the sake of Your Glorious Name, remember Your children. In the Name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Your Grace is Enough

Being a Peacemaker

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Reading through the Bible: Numbers 32

I just loved reading Numbers 32 about how Moses handled this situation with the people of Gad and Reuben who wanted to stay on the east of the Jordan rather than crossing over.

  • Moses explained how he felt.
  • Moses remained calm.
  • Moses asked questions.
  • Moses shared his own personal experience.
  • Moses didn’t hide his faith.
  • Moses listened with an open mind to the other side of the argument.

And as a result, Moses helped everyone come to a mutually agreeable, God-honoring compromise.

Lord, I want to be a Peace-maker … not a Peace-faker – burying my head in the sand and letting bitterness fester in my heart … not a Peace-breaker – making selfish demands, storming and sulking, spewing angry words like lava. Help me to know when to speak up and when to guard my mouth with a muzzle. Help me to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to be angry. I want to be Your servant, correcting my opponent with gentleness and respect, pursuing peace, being an ambassador for Your kingdom rather than my own. In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, I pray. Amen.

Looking out for the Interests of Others

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Numbers 27-28

The LORD said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel. When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled, failing to uphold me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)

Moses spoke to the LORD, saying, “Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.”

Numbers 27:12-17 ESV

In yesterday’s post, I wrote about godly jealousy – being jealous for the Lord’s honor and affection, rather than your own. Today, reading Moses’s humble response to the Lord’s pronouncement that he would not enter the promised land because of his earlier disobedience, I was again convicted about how often I’m more concerned with my own honor than my Lord’s.

Moses could’ve complained, “Lord, that’s not fair. I’ve worked so hard. I’ve led these people for all these years. I’ve tried my best. Why take away this blessing just because of one little mistake?”

Moses could’ve argued, “Lord, You’re wrong. You have forgotten all the good things I’ve done, all the times that I’ve obeyed. I quit! You can find somebody else to lead these horrible people.”

Moses could’ve made his own suggestions, “Ok, Lord, I get it. I’m awfully old, and I don’t have many years left. Thankfully I have these two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. Surely, You will choose one of them to lead the Israelites into this promised land.”

But he didn’t do any of those things. Rather he humbly asks the Lord to “appoint a man over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.” He put into practice the words of Philippians 2:3-4 and so should we.

“Do nothing from selfish ambition
or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Let each of you look not only
to his own interests,
but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4 ESV

Heavenly Father, I pray that You would make me more like Moses, loving You and loving others, submitting humbly to Your will for me and those I love. Increase my faith. Help me to remember that You are on Your throne, working all things together for good for those who love You and have been called according to Your purposes. Help me to remember that all too often the way that seems right to me is actually the way to death. I want to want what You want because Your way is always the best way. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen

Philippians 2:3-4 Scripture Song by David Talaguit