Defeating Islamic extremists will take more than human effort

ISIS on the move in Iraq

How do you stop an enemy who has no regard for human life? How do you defeat an enemy who isn't afraid to die? How do you appease an enemy who has sworn to drive you off the face of the earth? 

It's time to face the truth about Islamic terror groups like ISIS, Boko Haram, Al Qaeda and others. They are an out of control, scary bunch with little regard for human life, not even their own. And that's what makes them so dangerous. Not since Hitler has the world seen an adversary quite this diabolical. The shear brutality of these Islamic terror groups defies human comprehension as we see innocent victims beheaded, women and children abducted, raped and murdered, suicide bombers committing mass killings and execution style murders of whole communities — proving that they will stop at nothing.

A man beheaded by ISIS

It's pretty clear that Islamic terror groups are determined to wipe their enemies off the face of the earth. They envision a new world order where their brand of Islam will reign supreme, and where to survive, others must submit or be killed. It's what these Islamic terror groups believe, and what they have sworn with unwavering allegiance to achieve. The question is do we dare sit by and watch or do we take action?

President Obama and other world leaders are mistaken to think that Islamic terror groups can be defeated by conventional warfare and weapons, like drone strikes, airstrikes and military force, as happened recently in Paris and Belgium. In all of history, I can think of no other enemy quite like the Islamic terror groups, not even Japan's suicide kamikaze fighters can compare. You hit them hard and the Islamic terror groups just keep coming. So, what's the answer you ask? 

Ever think of praying? This suggestion is not directed at skeptics who never pray, but rather to those believers who do. God's people have a vital role to play in this conflict, and that is to pray for our enemies so that God will intervene in their lives and ours. In his article, "The hardest prayer: why it's time to #prayforISIS," writer Carey Lodge suggests three practical ways to pray for ISIS and the other Islamic terror groups:

1. If you want to pray that they would all perish, instead try praying for justice.
It's so easy to wish that every militant would be killed, leaving the Iraqi people free to rebuild their lives. But rather than pray for their deaths, perhaps instead ask for God's will and justice to be done, trusting that his understanding is greater than ours.
2. If your instinct is to pray for military success, pray instead for peace.
Pope Francis himself has suggested that military action against ISIS could be justified, but rather than focusing our prayer on further violence, petition instead for peace, reconciliation and stability.
3. Rather than only praying for Christians to be saved, pray also that members of ISIS would turn to God.
How incredible it would be for radical Muslims to see the witness of the Iraqi Church, the testimony of persecuted Christians and encounter the living person of Jesus. Nothing is impossible [with God].

Women gather in church

By no means are we limited to these prayers only, but pray we must as individuals, as congregations and as nations. What a shift in the atmosphere it would be if  world leaders at the U.S. led Summit on Violent Extremism would pray. Prayer is a proven game changer and the most powerful weapon in the hands of a believer. As recorded in scripture, many David verses Goliath type victories have been won through prayer. And there are enough praying Christians in the world today to defeat any weapon that Islamic terror groups may try to amass against us. 

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your friends, hate your enemies.’ But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may become the children of your Father in heaven. For he makes his sun to shine on bad and good people alike, and gives rain to those who do good and to those who do evil. Matthew 5:43-45

A warning to the churches in America and beyond: God is not pleased with you

It is appalling that the most segregated hour in Christian America is 11 o'clock on Sunday morning. --Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

One of my most enduring childhood memories is of growing up on Effingham Street in Portsmouth, Va. There were two churches on our block—one black, the other white. On Sunday mornings, I can remember watching people gather at the church across the street, and wondering why we never went to that church or why they never came to ours. When I asked my grandmother about it, she quickly put an end to my childhood curiosity by saying:

Our church is better. 

I remember thinking, if it's better why aren't those people coming over here? It didn't make sense to me then, and still doesn't.

I would be told "Ours is better" each time I questioned why blacks and whites never mingled together in public places or at public events in that southern town. Whites had their space and we had ours. This was the mid-fifties. It wasn't until much later in life that I learned first hand the real truth about racial segregation in America. In spite of its multiracial makeup, America is still in bondage to a spirit of segregation that pervades much of society, even our churches.

Although, it's been 50 years since Dr. King addressed the issue of racial segregation in the Christian church, not much has changed. On any given Sunday, it is still possible to open the doors of most Christian churches in America and find a homogeneous congregation of people worshiping God, and not see a single member of another race. According to Chris Rice, coauthor of More Than Equals: Racial Healing for the Sake of the Gospel, most Christians never give it much thought.

Ninety percent of African-American Christians worship in all-black churches. Ninety percent of white American Christians worship in all-white churches...Years since the incredible victories of the Civil Rights movement, we continue to live in the trajectory of racial fragmentation. The biggest problem is that we don't see that as a problem.

Segregated pews are viewed as the norm. There are a few multiracial and multicultural churches; however, they account for only 5-7 percent of Christian congregations. News flash—there won't be a separate heaven for all those who want to only be with their own kind. It's in the bible:

After this I looked, and there was an enormous crowd—no one could count all the people! They were from every race, tribe, nation, and language, and they stood in front of the throne and of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They called out in a loud voice: 'Salvation comes from our God, who sits on the throne, and from the Lamb!'  (Revelation 7:8-9)

It seems clear from this that God intends for his followers to live together in eternity as one big happy family. So then, why aren't we doing more to become one body in Christ here on earth? By the numbers, Christian congregations continue to lag behind the rest of society when it comes to eliminating self-imposed racial segregation.

Christian theologians and church leaders have differing opinions on what can be done to ameliorate the situation. Most admit there's a lack of diversity in the churches, but make excuses like "People prefer to go to church with people who look like them" or "People choose churches where they feel comfortable." Sadly, there is also a misguided remnant who have racist tendencies, and don't want to see people from other races in their congregations [We need to pray for them]. Regardless, of the reason, no excuse is valid in the eyes of God who expects Christians to love each other and everybody else.

If the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, and if we are indeed saved, then it should be possible for us to celebrate differences in skin color and culture as evidence of the divine artistry of creation and redemption and not as grounds for continued separation, exploitation, and prejudice. - Walter Douglas

So then, how do we start to transform Sundays at 11 o'clock from the most segregated hour to the most racially diverse and inclusive hour in Christian America? Perhaps, the answer lies in one changed heart, one friendly handshake across the aisle, one conversation that ends with an invite—until we get the job done. That means every believer will have to do his part to bring about a change. Change is difficult, but change we must.

You remember the story I shared earlier about the two Christian churches on my block that never intermingled with each other? Well, the black church is still there and has continued to grow  having maintained a presence in that community for some 50-plus years now. Unfortunately, the white church across the street decided to close its doors and move away after other black families moved into the neighborhood. So I guess my grandmother was right. Our church really was the better one.

And now I [Jesus] give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples. John 13:33-34 GNT

Millions are finding Jesus in cyberspace

"And then he [Jesus] told them [his disciples], “You are to go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere" Mark 16:15.

Two thousand years ago, when Jesus issued this command to a fledgling Christian church, it might have seemed like a daunting task given the fact that the disciples traveled mostly on foot back then. These early Christians were the foot soldiers responsible for spreading the gospel throughout the then known world that included Asia and Africa. Little could they have envisioned a day when Christians could connect with millions of people in Europe, North and South America, Antarctica and Australia via the Internet with one click. Fast forward to the 21st century where millions of seekers are finding God from the comfort of their PCs, tablet computers and smartphones.

The Internet is giving Christians yet another way to deliver the good news of the gospel to virtual millions through online chatrooms, social networking, webcasts and weblogs. The Internet's ability to reach an audience of millions inspired Campus Crusade for Christ to create an online evangelism start-up in 2004. Its success launched Global Media Outreach (GMO) as a viable tool for evangelism. Since going live, over  50 million people have logged onto GMO's  many websites and made decisions for Christ.

In 2011, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) launched "Peace with God," an online evangelism website. BGEA's trained volunteer online missionaries converse with visitors via a chatroom. Visitors can ask any question, but at some point, the conversation always turns to whether they have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Currently, over 3 million online visitors have logged onto PeacewithGod.net and made decisions to accept Christ. Another popular online evangelism website is "Need Him." Through its radio and TV spots, "Need Him" encourages listeners to call an 800 number to speak with an online counselor about their spiritual concerns. About the reach of online evangelism, a blogger writes:

"Many people in desperate need of the gospel stop in Christian chatrooms, hoping to meet someone who can lead them to God. They think of Christians as experts in how to be saved and how to live a meaningful life. Some of these desperate people know that they are lost. They want someone to help them become Christians, and they say so as they enter the chatrooms." (From ilovejesus.com)

According to GMO's Michelle Diedrich, online evangelism reaches a wider audience today than any other means of spreading the gospel:

"We are the first generation - ever - to hold in our hands the technology to give every person on earth multiple chances to accept Jesus Christ. More people use the Internet than go to church." 

Sharing Jesus with little ones

Diedrich explains, however, that online evangelism is intended to complement, not replace, traditional church programs and services. Q Place president Mary Schaller favors a [more] traditional face-to-face approach to evangelism. She shares her thoughts on the subject:

"The obvious advantages to digital spiritual dialogue are its convenience, flexibility, accessibility and anonymity. Yet our culture is caught in a problematic paradox: Despite the increasing digital interconnectivity, people continue to grow more socially disconnected and lonely because most of the conversation is superficial. Can you have meaningful, life- changing digital conversations and relationships? I believe to a certain extent you can, but they don’t take the place of being in the same room with people."

Facebook is yet another cyber way Christians have found to meet and connect old and new friends to Christ. Facebook is gaining popularity as a place to share scripture, testimonies, church happenings and invite others to evangelistic gatherings. Likewise, weblogs have expanded the reach of the gospel across continents. When I first started writing my blogs, The Gospel to GO and The Gospel to GO: London,  I didn't know whether they would find an audience. To my surprise, using Google Analytics, I discovered that the blogs have a worldwide audience spanning five of the seven continents--- just shows the power of the Internet. Antarctica and Australia, it's time to come onboard.

But where does all this cyber-evangelizing leave the lowly foot soldier of the gospel in the scheme of things? The Bible says that foot soldiers are still valued as the preferred method for communicating the gospel to others:

"And how can anyone tell them without being sent by the Lord? The Scriptures say it is a beautiful sight to see even the feet of someone coming to preach the good news. Romans 10:15"

Evangelism team at Siloam Baptist Church

Online evangelism will never diminish the local church's role as an evangelizing body of believers. Online converts will always need a physical church to call home where they can practice their new faith, and build relationships. Local churches provide that personal touch, and face-to-face contact that the Internet cannot. The fact is many men and women who have trusted Jesus as their Savior, did so because a friend or a stranger simply took the time to explain the gospel to them. Online evangelism neither eliminates the need nor the responsibility of local churches to engage in vigorous soulwinning efforts in their communities. Siloam Baptist Church in Norristown, PA, USA is an example of  how the local church can embrace the soulwinning aspect of its mission (view slideshow). Every month, members of Siloam's GO!Team take to the streets surrounding the church to engage with the residents and pray for the neighborhood.

Ultimately, the gospel's power does not depend on a particular methodology but rather on its relational ---God2man2man ---connection. Whether that connection is communicated over Internet or over a backyard fence, this is the penultimate message that Christians have to share with the world.

"And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14"

Keep Calm: 5 steps to finding peace in a chaotic world

Bon Secours Retreat Center, Marriottsville, Md 

Peace is a hard commodity to come by these days. People are losing their jobs, their homes, and for some, their life savings at an unprecedented rate. Violence is running rampant in cities and in schools; and families are being torn apart. 

Life seems like a roller coaster speeding precipitously out of control. Natural disasters plague us at home and abroad and war seems unending. Many communities grieve over the lost of so many innocent lives. Wars and civil unrest are erupting all over the world. The Bible predicts that things will get worse before they get better. Matthew 24:7 (CEV) reads: "Nations and kingdoms will go to war against each other. People will starve to death, and in some places there will be earthquakes." Not a comforting picture for sure.

And as if this weren't enough, people's hearts have become cold. 2 Timothy 3:1-4 (CEV) reads: "You can be certain that in the last days there will be some very hard times. People will love only themselves and money. They will be proud, stuck-up, rude, and disobedient to their parents. They will also be ungrateful, godless, heartless, and hateful. Their words will be cruel, and they will have no self-control or pity.

These people will hate everything that is good. They will be sneaky, reckless, and puffed up with pride. Instead of loving God, they will love pleasure. Even though they will make a show of being religious, their religion won’t be real." 

These signs of the times are happening now. Just look at the faces of people today, where's the joy, the love, the peace? People don't smile as much, or extend a hand to help a stranger like they used to. 

The search for peace is instinctive to us all. Everybody wants it but not everybody knows how or where to find it. It can't be found in drugs, alcohol, sex, wealth or fame ---many have tried and died trying. 

Peace is not a place, it's a spiritual state of mind. It's not easy to achieve unless you know how. The search for true, lasting peace in a chaotic world begins with you. Here are five steps to achieving peace in your life.


Step 1 - Trust in God even when everything around you is falling apart. God promises, "You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. Isaiah 26:3 AMP



Step 2 -  Pray and ask God to guide you. "With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow." Proverbs 3:5-6 CEV


Step 3 - Cry out to the Lord and He will answer you. God promises, "Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone."  Lamentations 3:32-33
NIV

Step 4 - Believe that God loves you. He showed his love by sacrificing his Son, Jesus, who was put to death on a Cross, as the final payment for your sins. He put it in writing for all to read: "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted..."  John 3:16 MSG

Step 5 - Accept God's plan of salvation through  Jesus Christ. Peace comes with knowing your sins are forgiven and accepting Jesus Christ into your heart as your Lord and Savior. Romans 6:23 (CEV) says, "Sin pays off with death. But God’s gift is eternal life given by Jesus Christ our Lord."

Knowing where you'll end up after you die puts your soul at peace. This peace is available to you today if you will pray this simple prayer of faith:

Lord Jesus, I believe that you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you into my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. I want to serve you always. Amen.

Welcome to God's family. To understand more about your new life in Christ, find a Christian church in your area or go to this website, peacewithgod.jesus.net

Why Christians should adopt a wait and see approach toward gay marriage

"The kingdom of heaven is like what happened when a farmer scattered good seed in a field. But while everyone was sleeping, an enemy came and scattered weed seeds in the field and then left...[The farmer's] servants then asked, 'Do you want us to go out and pull up the weeds?' 'No!' he answered. 'You might also pull up the wheat. Leave the weeds alone until harvest time. Then I’ll tell my workers to gather the weeds and tie them up and burn them. But I’ll have them store the wheat in my barn.'” - Matt 13:23-30 CEV (Emphasis added)

Barring Slavery and the Civil War, no other issue in American life has so divided these United States, torn apart our social, political and religious fabric, and splintered families like the issue of  gay marriage. And no matter what the U.S.Supreme Court decides in July, the controversy over gay marriage is unlikely to go back into the closet. Welcomed or not, gay marriage advocates have fought hard for a seat at America's table, and they're not likely to give it up anytime soon. To the naysayers, the message is clear "deal with it." And actually, that might not be bad advice.

For Christians, the concern is that the battle for gay marriage is becoming more of a distraction because of the cause celebre it has become. It seems Christians are spending more time becoming entangled in the affairs of this world than in doing the Lord's work. Where in the Bible does it say that Jesus, or his disciples or the early Church leaders spent their time protesting and debating the social and political issues of the day? What the Bible does say, is that Jesus and his disciples went about preaching the Gospel, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and doing good works.

This is not to say that Christians today should bury their head in the sand and remain silent in the face of this world's growing moral turpitude. There are issues like poverty, crime, illiteracy, and homelessness where Christian involvement is needed to help those at risk. But Christians must not become sidetracked by issues or neglect the call to spread the Gospel and win souls to Christ. Jesus always kept the mission in sight despite many distractions and much opposition. His number one priority was always to complete the mission.

Likewise, Christians, who follow Christ, must do as God's Word says. Commenting in Decision Magazine recently, J.C.Watts, a former U.S. Congressman and a pastor, said, "If you're a believer, your first allegiance is to the Word of God, and God expects you first of all to defend His Word. He also expects that even if you disagree with someone's sexual preference, you will still love them and treat them with human dignity."

Ideally, Christians around the world should be examples of God's love in action. If we do our part, God will do His part. It's God who judges sin, not us. God sees no difference between telling a lie and committing a homosexual act. Both are a sin and will receive the same judgement from God. Christians have a responsibility to tell sinners how their sins can be forgiven, and not just that they deserve to go to Hell. If we do our part, God will take care of all the rest.  Wait and see.

Update: In the U.S., 12 states and the District of Columbia have legalized gay marriage. 

Marshmallow cross: Taking a bite out of Easter

"Then he [Jesus] said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23

"But he was wounded for our transgressions...

First, there was the Easter bunny, then Easter eggs and Easter baskets…and now, a chocolate covered marshmallow cross. Like many, I have been guilty of purchasing an Easter egg or two in my lifetime; but I draw the line when it comes to condoning this latest insult to one of Christianity’s most sacred symbols---the Cross. What was once sacred has been profaned.  As if that weren't enough, this sacrilegious little candy confection is being sold at Wal-Mart, a company founded by Sam Walton on the principles of faith and family.

Candy manufacturer Russell Stover, who first came up with the idea of a candy cross, didn't seem to think of it as an insult to the faith. In fact, Stover has said that the marshmallow cross was specifically designed to appeal to the Christian market. The success of Stover's candy cross prompted Whitman's and other candy confectioners to join him in casting other Christian icons in chocolate. Among the choices are praying hands and ΙΧΘΥΣ, a christian fish symbol, both available in solid milk chocolate. 

Apparently, there are not enough irate Christians out there, who see anything wrong with taking a bite out of a milky cross and letting it melt in their mouths. What’s next, I wonder? So far, Stover and Whitman have stopped short of molding a chocolate Jesus on the cross; but what's to stop a rival candy maker from beating them to the punch? If all this seems outrageous, it’s because it is.

A sacred symbol of Christianity

He was bruised for our iniquities...

One would expect Christians to be up in arms over this blatant mockery of the Cross, the most recognizable symbol of the faith. Sadly, the response to this outrage from the Christian community and its leaders has been far too tepid. Where is the outcry---store boycotts, protest marches, and pulpit denunciations of those who demean and mock Easter, the holiest day on the Christian calendar? By contrast, I have yet to see candy replicas of the Qur’an or the Torah, or Muhammad or a mezuzah? 

...And by His stripes, we are healed." Isa 53:5 

No self respecting devout Jew or Muslim would stand still for it. Muslims, especially, are passionate defenders of their faith and its symbols. Should a candy cross be any less of an insult to all Christians? Some may choose to sugar coat the issue; others may say it’s no big deal; but I say, “What would Jesus do?” As for me, I stand by the original bloody, wooden Cross of Calvary upon which Jesus was sacrificed for the sins of the world. A marshmallow cross may taste good, but it has none of the power of the original. It's this power that makes Christ’s resurrection on Easter morning that much sweeter.

Blind Faith

"Then Jesus told him [a blind man], "I have come to judge the world. I have come to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind" (John 9:39).

On my way to work one day, I noticed a well-dressed man with a service animal making his way through a crowded shopping mall. It was obvious that he was blind. I was attracted to him because of the confident way he walked full stride through the Mall virtually ignoring the potential obstacles and human traffic continuously coming at him. I was amazed by how he and his dog sliced and diced their way through the on-rush of morning commuters. I was so intrigued by him that I decided to follow him on his journey.

As I hurried to catch up to him, I watched him walk a few feet, stop, turn to his right and walk over to a food concession stand that was open for breakfast. After taking his place at the back of the line, one by one, other waiting customers stepped aside to let him advance to the front. Being blind he couldn't see what they had done, so I slipped in alongside him and whispered softly, "You're next." I stood by to watch as he placed his order. 

With sandwich bag and briefcase in one hand, his service animal's harness in the other, this blind man continued at a brisk pace through the mall corridor, turning corners, going up and down steps. Finally, he arrived at his next destination, which was Starbucks. I stood by just outside the entrance as he walked in and took his place in line. This time he would have to wait his turn in a very long line since no one stepped aside for him. I wondered, "Would he have stayed had he been able to see how long the line was for coffee?" Unfortunately, it was me who couldn't stay long enough to see the end of his journey. I believe, however, that I'd seen what God intended when he arranged this divine appointment for me.

Watching this blind man move with such poise through his daily routine despite not being able to see was a lesson for me in blind faith. Although he couldn't see, this blind man had faith in his service animal to lead him around unseen obstacles and get him safely to his destination. He didn't hesitate, question or otherwise doubt that his dog would do his job. Blindness didn't hinder him because he knew his dog could see even if he couldn't and would take care of  him. His belief enabled this blind man to move resolutely toward his goals each day. I doubt if there is ever a morning that he wakes up and says to himself, "I can't go out today because I can't see." 

Physical and spiritual blindness

We depend on sight more than any of our other senses. You might even say we have more faith in what we see than in what we can't. There's a familiar saying, "I'll believe it when I see it." How many of us have said this about something we thought to be impossible, incredible or unlikely? To be physically blind is one thing; to be spiritually blind is quite another. Jesus spoke out against the spiritual blindness of his day, while healing many who were physically or spiritually blinded. When Jesus cured one, it cured the other. 

Spiritual blindness is also prevalent in today's world, and prevents many people from believing the gospel when they hear it.
  

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, 

so that everyone who believes in Him

 will not perish but have eternal life.

 God did not send his Son into the world 

to condemn it, but to save it...

I assure you, those who listen to my message

 and believe in God who sent me,

 have eternal life. 

They will never be condemned for their sins,

 but have already passed from death into life"

 (John 3:16-17, 5:24, NLT).

Jesus spoke those words concerning himself. Since Jesus is the "Living Word," his words have power to heal and to save anyone who believes in him. "Do you believe?" is the question he asked of the blind, lame and sick before he healed them. Their faith made all the difference in their outcome. The Bible explains it this way:

"But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He [rewards] those who diligently and earnestly seek Him [out]" (Hebrews 11:6, AMP). 

The blind man in this story exhibited absolute trust in his dog to be his daily guide and companion. In the same way, God is an ever-present guide and companion of those who trust in Him. This same God, the creator of the Universe, is always available to receive anyone who comes to Him for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. No other religion can make the claim that you can have a personal relationship with God. The Bible points to many infallible proofs that Jesus was sent to pave the way to God for us. More than 2,000 years have passed since Jesus walked this earth. The good news is Jesus is still opening blind eyes.  

ד  שְׁמַע, יִשְׂרָאֵל:  יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ, יְהוָה אֶחָד.