Challenges are a part of life. There is no escaping them, no matter how much we would like to. Therefore, since we all face the challenges of life, what then makes the difference between those who do well in spite of them and those who stumble? I am sure there are a myriad of responses but when you boil it all down this one response plays a big if not an enormous part and it is called preparation!

To be prepared simply means you are willing and able to do something or you are ready to deal with something. In other words, is your physical, spiritual, emotional and mental state in a suitable place to be able to cope with whatever life throws your way?

Preparation – when you define this word compared to its earlier form of prepare or prepared, it implies the work or planning involved in making something or somebody ready, in putting something together in advance and a state of readiness. Within this definition is the key as to why so many miss the mark when challenges arise. It is referred to as work and work by its definition is purposeful effort. It is the transfer of energy from one thing to another. In short, it is expended effort and it is hard!

Now imagine expending energy and effort in planning for something you can’t see or imagine yet! It can make the perceived work seem all that much more difficult and hard. However, the key here is perception and perception is the process of using our senses to acquire information about our surrounding environment or situation. Perception is an attitude or understanding based on what is observed or thought about.

There it is – I believe we have uncovered the issue – it all lies in our attitude! When we feel that something may be too difficult, we may try to avoid it and since our discussion of preparation involves the unknown it is easier to simply ignore preparation altogether. None of us knows exactly what tomorrow will bring or if there will even be a tomorrow for us, but that shouldn’t excuse us from planning and working through the thoughts of what could be. On the other hand, many of us do like to dream of a better life and the things we want so we will at times try to work toward those ends. Yet, what is the disconnect between the two?

One can seem negative and one can seem positive but if we only have one without the other we become lopsided. I am not advocating a totally pessimistic or absolute optimistic viewpoint. I guess you might say I reside a little more on the realistic scale. Still when I look at a glass of water, I would say it’s half full rather than half empty. This concept goes beyond that kind of thinking. It should make us dig deeper and realize that if we take a look at both what our dreams are and what information our surrounding environment is providing us we should be able to apply ourselves in such a way as to accomplish both our dream and the preparation necessary to face the challenges of the unknown.

Challenges are God’s way of proving us and developing us. It is the tool He uses to help perfect our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual states. He may even allow the sacrifice of one area to help sharpen another area. It is also the way He separates out the sincere from the insincere. Another way of saying this would be that it is the way He identifies the wise from the foolish. The Bible has a lot to say about both topics of wisdom and foolishness and the impression I am left with from scripture is that God prefers that we pursue wisdom. Moreover, an essential part of wisdom is in being prepared. Sure, we may not know when the next stock market crash will occur but through observation of our surrounding environment, it would seem wise for us to have a few dollars tucked away to provide for our physical being. Additionally, we may not know when the next scandal will break, so again through observation of our surrounding environment, it would seem wise not to invest our emotional state in the newest political star but rather to build up the emotional bank accounts of those closest to us like family and friends.

I would even go so far as to say that given careful observation of our world wide environment that it would be wise to ensure that we have our spiritual house in order should God decide He’s had enough of sin, corruption, green and the filth of mankind. I know our attitudes may need adjustments in order for us to be prepared for the what if scenarios but simply ask those who have prepared in advance for either success or disaster and determine if they were sorry they expended the energy to prepare? I believe in either case you will get an answer of it was well worth it because for success it simply heightened it and made it sweeter while for disasters it made its blow a little bit softer.

I would encourage you today to show yourself wise by following one simple concept – preparation. It will take some thought, some diligence to look for answers, to gather resources or change your environment but in the end, you could find that it was about time and it helped you face the inevitable!

Staff Writer; Rick S.

One may contact this man of God at: RS@ThyBlackMan.com.

Hebrews 2:17 – Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God,

The purpose of this study is to bring to light the goodness of God and his compassion toward us, not only for the forgiveness of sin but toward the sick to be healed.

W.E. Vines dictionary says compassion is to be moved as to one’s inwards (splanchna), to be moved with compassion, to yearn with compassion,” is frequently recorded of Christ towards the multitude and towards individual sufferers, – to suffer with another (sun, ‘with,’ pascho, ‘to suffer’), to be affected similarly, – to have mercy (eleos, “mercy”), to show kindness, by beneficence, or assistance.

In many scriptures throughout the New Testament and throughout the Bible, the words compassion and mercy have the same or similar meaning.

Psalms 145:8 – The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy.

This shows the very nature and heart of our Father towards us. This is an aspect that inspires faith for healing as none other. This shows that God is willing, not only able, for his children to have divine health.

We need to recognize God’s willingness to show mercy toward us, and not just seek the power of God, but to seek his mercy, and in that, the power of God will be manifested. Faith in God’s will and God’s love secures blessings, not faith in God’s power.

I think most of us agree that God is all powerful, but the church body as a whole doesn’t know that God’s will is to demonstrate that power in His love toward us. We must know that our Lord is willing as well as able before we can receive our healing by faith, for faith begins where knowledge of God’s Word is known. God’s Word shows us over and over that God is willing and as well as able and He is wanting us to reach out by faith and receive it.

Micah 7:18 – Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy.

Micah is saying that God delights in mercy, if we could just get a revelation of that awesome fact, God wants us cleansed and whole.

I believe God is aggressive in His love toward us, and is always looking for opportunities to show His love toward us, but is very difficult for God to bless us when we won’t even acknowledge that He is willing. We know He is able, we must know He is very willing as well. Have you ever stopped to consider what it would be like to see your children hurting and you want to take care of them, you have the ability to help them, but they won’t acknowledge that you even want to help them, much less receive the help you have for them. How this must grieve the heart of the Father, for he delights in mercy.

Ephesians 3:20 – Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

It would seem that God would almost rather have us doubt His ability than His willingness. This shows that we know God can, but that He doesn’t care enough for us to even lift a finger to help, — you know, that’s for some one else, I never get healed. If you are talking like that, you are saying the opposite of what God is saying, in other words you are saying God won’t and that kind of confession has to change in order for you to receive. You can’t say God is unwilling and then expect to receive healing from Him, you see that’s exactly what you are doing if you are not lining your words with His words. You have to acknowledge the truth in order to receive it, and you must know the truth first in order to acknowledge it. Our Lord Jesus Christ is a gentlemen and He never forces His will on anybody! God is able but He is also willing to show us and give us His best.

Psalms 145:9 – The Lord is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works.
Healing is one of His works,

Healing is part of the redemptive plan of God, that was fulfilled in the completed work of our Lord Jesus Christ. How can God be a respecter of persons, and just bless a few special people? The answer to that is He can’t. The scripture we just quoted reads the Lord is good to all! Not just some but all, praise God. That means the wicked as well as the saints. How then, can we the children of God think that God will withhold the covenant blessing of healing from us, while he extends His tender mercies to all the wicked of the earth. We should realize that if God is willing to show His mercy to all the wicked of the earth, how much more is He willing to show the mercy of healing toward His own.

Psalms 25:10. – All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.

Since this is true, then the Christian that has been afflicted can say along with Solomon in —
2 Chron. 6:14. – “Lord God of Israel, there is no God in heaven or on earth like You, who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.

As we read before Jesus was moved with compassion toward the sick during His earthly ministry.

In Mk.1:40-41 – a leper came to Jesus and said, 40. If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
41. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”
42. As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.

We see 2 important truths in this passage of Scripture, Jesus was moved with compassion, and the result of that compassion was God’s will was manifest, and the man was instantly cleansed. Jesus not only had the ability but was very willing for the man to be made whole.

Hebrews 13:8. – States that, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

This can only mean that since Jesus was compassionate toward the sick, and was willing to heal them then in His earthly ministry, that He is still compassionate toward the sick and is willing to heal them today.

Hebrews 8:6. – Says, But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, in as much as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

Now, since we have a better covenant, built on better promises, and Jesus has a more excellent ministry, how much more should we be able to receive healing in this age of grace than in the Old Covenant where we saw that God wanted to show his mercy to all!

Hebrews 2:17. – Says, Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

As I defined mercy at the beginning of this study, W.E. Vines dictionary defines mercy,
and another definition says, — not simply possessed of pity but actively compassionate.

This is used of Christ in His role as High priest. This verse of Scripture has no reference to Christ compassion as it was manifested during His earthly ministry, it is referring to His ministry from heaven, and his purpose for His incarnation in the earth, was for this end, that He might show compassion as our High Priest. Jesus went away to be with the Father, but He continually makes intercession for the saints, let us realize that His compassions is the same today as it was yesterday, and He yearns to help us!

He never changes, He’s the same yesterday today and forever. His attitude towards the sick has not changed one bit.

So many Christians today are in the dark in this area, and it never occurs to them that God’s compassion for the sick is the same as it is for the forgiveness of sins.

Psalms 103:2. Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
3. Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,

Forgiveness and healing go hand in hand, as the psalm says all His benefits, healing and forgiveness.

During Jesus entire earthly ministry he healed all that came to Him. The needs of the sick today are no different than in Jesus time, they needed healing then and they need healing now. Let me ask you a question, did Jesus withdraw His compassion, has he changed in some way and is no longer compassionate, or is he the same as the Word declares?

Praise God, He is the same as when He ministered bodily healing upon the earth, where bodily healing was bestowed upon all who sought it! Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever! Psalm 103 goes on to say;

Psalms 103:4. – Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5. Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6. The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.
7. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.
8. The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

He forgives our iniquities He heals our diseases, He redeems our life from destruction, He crowns us with loving kindness and tender mercies, He satisfies our mouth with good things so that our youth is renewed like the eagles, our Lord is merciful and gracious, and He abounds in mercy.

That’s the picture of an actively compassionate God who is willing to show His mercy to all who are oppressed. God is willing, as well as able to deliver us in our time of need. Thank God we don’t serve a God made out of wood or stone, we serve the one true God who is alive and executes righteous judgments for all who are oppressed. We have a part to play in our own redemption whether spiritual or physical, we have to acknowledge Him, as our redeemer, that’s the one thing He won’t do for us. Quoting from the new International Version of the Bible the 91st Psalm starting with verse 14. says, Because he loves me “says the Lord. “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15. He will call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him, 16. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

We have to love him, we have to acknowledge his name, we have to call upon him. Then he will rescue us, then he will protect us, then he will be with us in trouble, then he will deliver us and honor us, then with long life will he satisfy us and show us His salvation. If we do these things He will do what He said He will do. For God is not a man that can lie, and His Word never returns void, but accomplishes that which it was sent to do.

If you don’t know Jesus as savior and lord I would like to invite you meet Him, by praying the following prayer.
Also if you don’t know Jesus as your healer I would like to invite you to meet him as your healer, and acknowledge Him as healer as well as savior. As the 103 psalm says; forget not all His benefits:

Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; put him to the test, and receive both His forgiveness and His healing, I learned this as a young man and He has never let me down, I’m so grateful for all His benefits.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I come to you in the name of Jesus.
Your word says, “…him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (Jn.6:37),
So I know You won’t cast me out, but You take me in,
And I thank you for it.
You said in your Word, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Ro. 10:13).
I am calling on Your name,
So I know You have saved me now,
You also said, “…if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Ro.10:9,10).
I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
I believe He was raised from the dead for my justification.
And I confess Him now as my Lord,
Because Your Word says, “… with the heart man believeth unto righteousness…” and I do believe with my heart,
I have now become the righteousness of God in Christ. (2 Cor. 5:21),
And I am saved! Thank You, Lord!
I can now truthfully say, I see myself as a born again child of God!
Glory to God!!!!

Staff Writer; Mark B.

This Devoted ‘Christian‘ can be found at; MarkB@ThyBlackMan.com.

Compromising with the enemy, with evil of any kind, is plainly wrong, and because many believers do not distinguish clearly who the enemy is, they are likely to fall into the clutches of those who seek their destruction.

Take, for example, the case of Samson and Delilah, as told in Judges 16:1-21.

The moment Delilah engaged in conversation with Samson, as to the source of his strength, was the moment sampson began to compromise. Samson should have desisted from such talk, especially after Delilah called the Philistines to capture him each time. Finally, he gave in, “And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; That he told her all his heart…” (Judges 16:16-17)

It is wise to remember that Satan does not care how you fall from grace, as long as he gets you to fall, and the sooner you fall is most appealing to him. The merchants of evil care greatly about one thing in particular, your destruction, and like an invading army will use all they possess, every dirty trick at their command, to defeat you.

Take, for instance, the very sad case of a godly, and decent, prophet who was deceived by a renegade prophet into disobeying God, and in so doing lost his life, as told in 1 Kings chapter 13.

The renegade prophet was charming, generous, showed lots of brotherly solidarity and empathy, but he was wayward, unreliable, a deceiver and a liar. He cleverly mixed half-truths with lies in a sickening combination that bamboozled the true prophet, and caused him, the true prophet, to disobey God by accepting food and accommodation; although God had expressly warned him not to do so.

The true prophet was devastated to learn that the renegade prophet, whom he obviously trusted as a fellow believer and seer, had deliberately deceived him, but, like Samson, it was too late, and on his way home he met a terrible death. He was killed by a lion. When believers compromise with evil, it is just a matter of time, before the consequences are evident.

Satan is the master of “wedge theory”, he is an expert in sliding the thin edge of the wedge into the small crack, and by infinite patience, and guile, manipulate the small crack into an ever widening breach; so huge that he can easily get in and do his dirty work.

Jesus cautioned believers with these words, “And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” (Mark 13:37), and because  believers need to be aware of the array of approaches of the enemy seeking the destruction of their souls, these words take on a chilling significance.

It was precisely because Moses was watchful, that he did not fall into the trap, that Pharoah so cleverly set for keeping the Israelites in captivity. Pharoah was really clever in crafting some tempting compromises, and Israel’s freedom would have been jeopardised had Moses agreed to any one of them.

Observe the appealing compromises Pharoah offered to Moses.

1. And he said, Tomorrow (See Exodus 8:10) 

When the frogs were all over the place, and Moses came at Pharoah’s request to intervene, Pharoah was asked when, “And he said, To morrow.” (Exodus 8:10)

The truth is that, philosophically, tomorrow never comes, and Pharoah was playing for time, he was procrastinating. When things are to be done now, when now is compelling, then to procrastinate is a devious compromise.

Pharoah did not want to let the Israelites go, and even with the repulsive frogs all over the place, he still dragged his feet, perhaps hoping that Moses would be taken unawares and abandon his mission.

This same procrastinating spirit must surely have led to the perdition of King Agrippa, who, when under conviction by the Holy Spirit under Pauls’s powerful testimony said, “… Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” (Acts 26:28)

For King Agrippa, that salvation moment was lost, he never became a believer, as far as is recorded he never again spoke to Paul, and from that day was never heard of again.

2. Sacrifice to God in the land  (See Exodus 8:25 ) 

Anyone who thought that Pharoah was going to be an easy push-over would be someone with little knowledge of Egyptian affairs, and even less knowledge of the formidable Pharoahs.

Egypt was a mighty regional power at this time, and Pharoah knew that if Israel was allowed to sacrifice to God in the land they would be under the constant surveillance of his military, and at the slightest provocation, his army would swoop down, surround them, and take them back into captivity.

So often, when believers compromise with evil, they foolishly mistake the compromise as helpfulness and fall into the enemy’s trap, so cleverly set for them. When the wicked offer to do you a favour, it is likely that they are planning on doing some monkey business. Satan does not give believers something for nothing, but we can be fooled, “…for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14)

3. Ye shall not go very far (See Exodus 8:28) 

Pharoah was trying to play Moses like a fiddle; allright then, I will be reasonable, you can all go, I am too kind for my own good; but don’t go too far. What Pharoah might have thought, but did not say, was that he knew the Israelites would be tempted to walk the short distance back to Egypt if they were close by, and if they encountered the slightest dissatisfaction.

Pharoah knew Israel well, and the subsequent events all through the desert was ample proof that if Moses had accepted Pharoah’s compromise, then the closeness of Egypt to the assembled Israelites would have been irresistible. Even when they were far away, very often the irritable, quarrelsome Jews still wanted to return to Egypt.

Just like Lot, who could not resist the blandishments of the nearby city of Sodom, who in fact left the plains where he was living, and went and resided in the city, so too believers who compromise with evil are apt to be enticed away from the path of righteousness.

4. Go now ye that are men  (See Exodus 10:11) 

You must hand it to Pharoah for his dogged persistence and ingenuity, because having tried a few times and failed, he produced quite a whopper. This was quite a master stroke. He was trying to show Moses how even-handed and accommodating he was by saying, look chaps, I’m not as bad as you think, I’ll let the men go, and they can have as much time as they want, but leave the women and children here.

Pharoah most certainly knew that if the men travelled to the farthest corner of the world, they would come back to be with their wives, and children. This was not a superficial compromise, but a shrewd one, meant to put Moses on the spot, and even cause rebellion in the Jewish camp. What would the Jewish men say if they heard that they were to be given quality time off to go as far as they liked, and Moses flatly refused that offer.

The Bible says, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21). Believers will be less inclined to go back to their old haunts if they rid themselves of all that would drag them backwards; the old life is gone, and with it should be gone all the worldly attachments as well.

5. Let your stocks and your herds be stayed  (See Exodus 10:24)

Pharoah’s cupboard was almost bare, but he had to give it a last try, to see if he could finally get the better of Moses. Pharoah offered to let all the people go, men, women and children, but leave everything else behind. There was no way that the Israelites would abandon all they worked for, and possessed, so Moses answered, “Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the Lord our God; and we know not with what we must serve the Lord, until we come thither.” (Exodus 10:26)

Had Moses accepted any one of the compromises tendered by Pharoah, Israel in all likelihood would have remained captive in Egypt, languishing as a minority within greater Egypt, and never rising to anything greater than an ethnic subset of the Arab diaspora. Moses was right all along; by refusing to compromise.

For good reasons Moses is held in high esteem as a role model for believers, and a hero of faith for all time, and believers should follow his example of not accepting compromises.

Staff Writer; Henderson W.

You can contact this Christian brother at: HWard@ThyBlackMan.com.

Annoying isn’t it! Of course it is, after all we all want to be productive and feel like we’re contributing to some greater good. When we hit one of these obstacles we begin to feel like everything we just poured our heart and soul into was for nothing. We feel a sense of wasted time. We often become frustrated and angry, we may even cry out in desperation especially when it seems that our way has been salt and peppered with these disturbing signs all along our way.

What do we do? Stop, sit and wait, hoping that the road up ahead of us will be cleared of any debris so we can continue on? That’s what some of us do and the waiting turns into months, years or even decades while our dreams and life purpose gathers dust.

On the other hand, we could back track. That is we could back up, retrace our steps and try to discover where we went wrong. Perhaps we misread the map. We question ourselves wondering if we took a wrong turn. We may even wonder if our destination was right to begin with. So, we end up going around and around perhaps even in circles or worse yet finding ourselves right back at the same road block or dead end. We spend our energies on the wrong things and we worry, fret and become worn out.

Still, we could try another direction, perhaps we consider taking the right hand turn or maybe the left side would be better. We consider, which we like best and step out not knowing if this is the right way to get to where we wanted to go but we’re decisive and we’ve made up our mind, after all something is better than nothing or so we think. We may wander around and make a few missteps as we navigate this uncharted way but we keep telling ourselves we’re making progress. In the end, a luck few actually find their way and reach their destinations. However, for most they end up lost in a wilderness, starved for some satisfaction in life. They may even find themselves at another road block or dead end along the way and so they try another method to move past it.

But I ask – is there another alternative? Yes, the answer is to realize that the journey is not yours. What do I mean by that? I mean that what you thought was your dream, your purpose, your goal or your whatever is not yours! It’s someone else’s! “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself:” (Romans 14:7 kjv)

This one phrase in the bible has become quite famous and is quoted all around the world. Although many don’t know where it comes from, most understand that it means that we are connected to something larger than ourselves. For those who don’t know it’s source, they think that we are only connected to others around us and that we must live for the greater good of others. However, for those who realize that it is a saying that originates from God directly, we understand also that while yes we are connected to others we are first and foremost connected directly to God. We were both created by and redeemed by Him. Therefore we are not our own.

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1-Corinthians 6:20 kjv) You see this quote indicates that everything that makes us, well us, is in fact owned by God, both our physical body and our spiritual being.

He owns our body because he created it, gives it breath and life and sustains it’s function. Just try to make yourself grow an inch by yourself or try to exist without the air He’s provided, or better yet try to go on without your heart beating on it’s own. You see God owns your body. “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1-Corinthians 6:19 kjv)

God also owns your spirit. Sure it was a wild one and it may have even got away for a while from God because you wanted to be “free”. But your so called “freedom” led you into doing things you thought you would never have done before. It has depraved, starved and destroyed things in your life. It has left you feeling empty, lonely and wanting more, but to come back to God your spirit needs to be purchased because your “freedom” in reality has actually been slavery to sin (just read Romans Chapter 6 for further clarification). “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed (bought back) with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” (1-Peter 1:15-19 kjv)

Therefore, if we are not our own, we are actually God’s when we ask Him to forgive us and to cleanse our hearts, then our journey also stops being ours but now is God’s. In other words we go where He leads, we eat what He feeds, we do what He wants us to do, it’s now all about Him and not about you!

So when we encounter a road block or a dead end in our life we should pause for a moment and reflect on the fact that it isn’t there to annoy us. Rather, it is God’s way of communicating to us that there may be danger up ahead or that we need to rethink our situation. Instead of reacting in our own will we should offer up a prayer and ask God what He wants us to do since it’s His journey anyway. There may be times He has us wait for the obstacle to be removed or the road to be repaired. Other times He may have us make a turn to the right or left but He will guide us and tell us specifically which way to go if we listen closely. “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21 kjv) Sometimes God may even have us back up and get things right in our lives before we proceed.

No matter what God’s plan is for our lives, we can rest assured that any road blocks or dead ends are only temporary and that they all serve a purpose in fulfilling that plan. I would encourage you today to re-examine your journey. If you have been living life thinking that it’s all about where you’re going then you may feel frustrated by the obstacles in your way, however if you understand that the journey is not yours anyway then you can trust the one who gives your life purpose and who also sees the map from a higher perspective. Also you can see the road blocks or dead ends not as obstacles but rather loving clues from your heavenly creator and redeemer!

Staff Writer; Rick S.

One may contact this man of God at: RS@ThyBlackMan.com.

It is to be hoped that the reader of this article is sober, and serious, and mature, and willing to face existential truths.

The precipitous decline of humanity through the ages has landed us with a situation that can be frightening, and many are wondering if we are near the brink of extinction.

Let us be honest, neither you nor I can fully evaluate the full depth to which humanity will fall at the end of our sojourn on this earth. We know that at the end, things in general, will be abysmal, earth will become a living hell, and those alive will regret not being long dead.

All of that is clear from the only reliable source of truth that has proven itself through the ages – the Scriptures; especially as recorded in Revelation.

What is less clear is what happens in the interim, the near future, perhaps in the next decade or two. It does not require any special skill of forecasting, or gift of prophecy, to see where we are heading; for the Bible gives us a clear road map to assist us in our determination.

We, as believers, need to be SOBER as forewarned by the Scriptures, “Be SOBER, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

In today’s degenerate world believers need to examine, and if necessary re-learn, some sobering truths.

Sobering Truth 1. These are the last days.

This bold statement, that these are the last days, has always puzzled some people, because we were born hearing this statement, and yet decades later things are going on much as before. Our grandparents heard this very statement, as well as their grandparents before them.

What is certain is that Jesus is coming soon, or so we believe and teach, but how soon is soon nobody can really determine. Jesus warned us not to be caught napping when he said, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44). Jesus also said, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” (Mark 13:32)

Some believers in Paul’s time thought Jesus was returning during their lifetime, some think that these same believers abandoned their work, families and took to the hills awaiting His return. Others were not clear as to when and how Jesus would return. Whatever their state of mind, Paul had to set them right on the matter of Jesus’ Second Advent, and he did so in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11.

Some believed that Jesus meant it literally when he said, “Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” (Matthew 16:28).

The truth is that all references to end times, whether in Daniel, the Gospels, the Epistles or Revelation, can be interpreted literally or figuratively, spiritually or naturally. One should not allow specific interpretative approaches to cloud the fact that the period of time between Jesus’ First and Second Advents is factually, theologically and biblically the last days.

The onus is on us then to be ready, live as if Jesus will appear any moment, and waste no time on pettiness, harbour no grudges, let love fill our hearts and souls and live at peace with God and our neighbour. In such a spirit we can say, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20)

Sobering Truth 2. Humanity will progressively get worse

There are many things that will improve with time because our knowledge, and hence our technology, will enable us to do more and do them better. Who can doubt the real, laudable benefits that have accrued to us because of the improvements in medical science, science generally and technology?

But improvements in man’s ability to understand and manipulate his environment do not necessarily translate into a better, more humane, more moral, more livable society.

About 6,000 years ago humanity was generally quite poor but equal, apart from highway robbers and the odd tyrant. Today you have billionaires co-existing with starving people, billionaires and millionaires who throw in the garbage what could feed thousands for weeks if not years, and they are subsidised in their exorbitant lifestyles by tax breaks and loopholes by corrupt, fawning governments. Today’s inequality is staggering.

In Moses’ time (about 1600 BC) laws were made to prohibit and, where found root out and punish, the evil practice of homosexuality. In 1075 BC the Assyrians passed similar laws with respect to the military. Across the civilised world sodomy laws were made and enforced with vigour, Europe first sodomy laws were made around the late antiquity. Even a young country like the United States had sodomy laws that in 1963 according to Wikipedia “…the penalties for sodomy in the various states varied from imprisonment for two to ten years and/or a fine of US$2,000.”

Today some countries are falling over themselves to legalise sodomy, they seem to have lost their sense of what is clean and unclean, and gay marriages are a trendy response to the immoral confusion.

Believers should prepare for things to get worse. Whatever the degenerate hordes may say now, let there be no doubt that their agenda of moral recklessness is only just beginning. They will push for and, with dirty money behind them, get incest legalised, then pedophilia made respectable, and then they will say, “so why can’t I marry my dog, or horse or pig” or whatever.

At some point, this world would have degenerated to the same place the world was at, just before the Great Flood.

Sobering Truth 3. Few will be saved

It would be foolish for anyone to assign numbers in respect to those who will be saved, i.e. find salvation through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 20 million might seem a lot but that number is a handful (.003%) of the world’s population. Even 60 million is just 1% of the current world’s population, and 1% of anything is pretty minor.

We know that few will be saved because we have the evidence of our own eyes, the trends recorded in history, and above all the reliable word of God that tells us this; “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:14)

Even in the churches there are many who will fall away from the faith, turn their itching ears to false doctrines (we are witnessing this phenomena now) and deny the very God whom they have served, “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” (Matthew 24:12)

Sobering Truth 4. Preaching will become increasingly ineffective

This truth should not be misunderstood, whenever the gospel is preached God will reach out and call his own. Some people refer to this as irresistible calling but in truth God knows those who will accept him and the Holy Spirit will always do his job effectively.

Preaching is meant to be twofold; it certainly calls people to repentance, builds them up and encourages them but it also warns people.

As time goes by and as fewer people are saved, more and more preaching will just be the word being preached as a witness and warning so that degenerates are without excuse. Preachers have to be faithful to their mandate regardless of visible results, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:2)

Sobering Truth 5. Some you know and love will go to hell

Talking about hell is, for some people, the hardest reality of all. It gets even harder when the staggering truth, that some of our love ones and friends will suffer everlasting torment, is fully taken on board.

God gives every human being a chance to choose his destiny. The Golden Text of the Bible tells us, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Believers need to remember that Hell is not God’s choice for humans, for He is “…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9), but if humans exert their freewill to say no to God’s offer of salvation then believers everywhere must respect that choice.

Truth is often like that, not glorious and exciting at times; often sober and demanding, sometimes discomfiting, sometimes touching a chord that you do not want touched (remember what Jesus said to the rich young ruler, “go and sell all you have and give to the poor and come and follow me – Luke 18:22-23)

Believers must not be like that rich young ruler who turned away in pique and sadness but on the contrary show determination as advised, “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 3:18)

Staff Writer; Henderson W.

You can contact this Christian brother at: HWard@ThyBlackMan.com.

Anyone who takes an interest in spiritual matters will note that they are some significant differences between a follower of Jesus Christ and a disciple of Jesus Christ, and although on the surface they both look alike, nevertheless it should be understood that a disciple is a follower but every follower is not a disciple; and the Bible clearly highlights this distinction.

At the most basic level a follower may simply be someone who may be an admirer, someone who gives support for your individuality and style, someone who associates with you because to do so brings benefits.

Jesus had many followers like that.

On one occasion more than five thousand followers followed him, and after he preached and taught them about the Kingdom he took five barley loaves and two small fish and fed them all, and the leftovers filled twelve baskets. Free food in abundance is a mighty good reason to follow, especially in times when food was scarce but Jesus recognised their motive: “Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.” (John 6:26)

They were followers of Jesus who went along for the “joy ride” of assembly, food, good stories and seeing miracles but they had no interest in going beyond that. Jesus knew that and tested their fickleness and insincerity as like when he said this, “…Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.” (John 6:53) After this some followers responded negatively, “From that time many of his disciples [followers] went back, and walked no more with him.” (John 6:66)

For any preacher today to go to a village or a town unannounced and stand on a soap box and draw a thousand listeners would be amazing. This is what Jesus did repeatedly and drew thousands; the mention of his name did that and everywhere he went the masses followed him.

But Jesus was not deluded by such throngs for he knew that many of those followers would be the same people who, in a few short years, would be bellowing for his execution, “Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.” (Mark 15:14)

Many people, even today, follow Jesus Christ and Christianity for the wrong reasons:

Some follow to make money and live a lavish lifestyle; among them are false teachers and false prophets, the peddlers of prosperity theology, the bogus Christian websites and all those who see spiritual things as moneymaking ventures. To them all, the accursed spirit of Simony prevails.

Some follow to take advantage of vulnerable souls, just like wolves congregating to devour sheep; abusive priests, evil pastors and the like whom Paul warned against, “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.” (Acts 20:29) and it’s these followers that the church needs to guard against and to be eternally vigilant.

Some follow to grab opportunities to satisfy their carnal lust and to snare the foolish and unsuspecting, of whom they are many scattered across Christendom; appropriately described by Paul to Timothy, “For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts.” (2 Timothy 3:6)

All of these can be accurately described as followers but their attitude and stance and commitment fall far short of genuine discipleship.

Jesus Christ knew that he would attract a lot of followers, this Son of God who were performing miracles and doing things never seen before was not interested in having followers, as before described, but in fashioning disciples, people who would transition from the crowds of followers looking for quick fixes and temporal benefits to believers and dedicated supporters of God and his provision for humanity as found in Jesus Christ himself.

Here is how Jesus described how this transition would take place.

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

Observe closely how Jesus detailed the steps to true discipleship:

First the appeal was universal: Some people delude themselves that only some people can be saved, those whom God has chosen from before the world was created and no other, but Jesus taught differently for his call was to “any man”, meaning whosoever will (John 3:16) whether he be old or young, rich or poor, black or white, learned or unlearned, man or woman, Jew or Gentile, anyone that has a yearning and a desire can become a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Next Jesus said, “Let him deny himself”: Self is the biggest stumbling block and the most difficult to be removed on the way to true discipleship and so Jesus started with that. It has been said that, “A man’s self is to him the prime cause of most of his miseries” and in all honesty this truism is borne out by the facts.

A rich young man who wanted to follow Jesus came to him and Jesus said to him, “Go, sell that thou hast, and give it to the poor,” (Matthew 19:21) and the very thought of it gave this young man so much grief, that the Bible says, “he went away sorrowful”. He chose rather to part with his hope of heaven, than deny himself of his earthly wealth. This is equally true of those who hear the word that is able to save their souls, they admit the truthfulness of what they hear, they are even convicted by the word as did King Agrippa in Acts 26:28; yet they remain dead in trespasses and sins, dammed and unsaved because they will not deny themselves of their sinful pleasures even though they know that in resisting God’s call they sentence their souls to eternal punishment.

Very few believers practice this self-denial as taught in the Bible, for it is nothing less than a full-hearted commitment to doing God’s will in every circumstance, it is wholly pleasing God rather than self, it is always “not my will but thine be done” and seeking to comply whatever the cost until it becomes the only principle by which we live.

Then Jesus said, “Take up your cross daily”: Notice the specificity here that gives the lie to what so many believers understand by “cross”. The cross here is not old age, the ups and downs of godly living, sickness and pain and the routine disappointments of life for these are all common to all people of faith. Are these things not burdensome? Sure, but they are not to be confused with your cross.

The Prophet Jonah hated preaching to obnoxious and resentful people (as do most preachers) but preaching salvation to his most repugnant, savage enemy, the rampaging Ninevites that slaughtered Israelis by the thousands and ripped them to pieces for naked fun was for Jonah more than hateful, it was deliriously painful and abhorrent and Jonah would rather die than preach to these dogs (Matthew 15:26). Preaching to the Ninevites was Jonah’s cross that he was required to bear if he was to be true to God. After eventually preaching to the Ninevites Jonah found a comfortable perch to watch God wipe them off the face of the earth. Poor Jonah.

Every believer has a cross to bear, something you will never choose for yourself, something that is not fashionable or pleasant or that will bring you earthly honour or glory or generate esteem in your eyes or the eyes of the world, but that which God wants you to shoulder for his sake, for his honour and for his glory. It might be a call to poverty (like nuns and monks), it might be to do some work that you consider beneath you, it might be to do that which offends your family or friends or brings scorn from your professional colleagues, it might be to work in certain locations or any number of things. Any of these appointed for you is your cross and you are to submit knowing it is God’s will, for his glory and your eventual elevation and pleasure because passing through the fire may be painful but, like gold, it purifies and enhances.

Finally Jesus said, “and follow me”: This is the most pertinent fact in all Christendom for believers are not about following a creed, or some persuasive philosophy or even some well thought-out doctrine but it is all about following Jesus Christ and ALL that he represents. It was for compelling reasons that the disciples in ancient Antioch in Syria were called Christians; because they so closely followed Jesus Christ that they looked like him.

Daily following Jesus requires total commitment for the long run, it is not to bear the cross for a day or two and then laying it aside to do our own thing, it is not setting it aside to take a rest when we feel weary, it is not finding some excuse to abandon cross bearing because of some disagreeable circumstances attached to it; it is taking our cross gladly for the sake of Christ and the gospel, it is sacrificing self with all its concomitant ambitions and goals and dreams and completely surrendering to God’s will as did Caleb and Joshua, “…for they have wholly followed the LORD.” (Numbers 32:12) or like the magnificent Apostle Paul who remarked, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.” (Philippians 3:7)

This is what constitutes more than just following, this is nothing less than a full growth of the seed once planted in good soil now maturing, in full bloom and growing ever more so day by day and bringing forth fruits worthy of repentance, this is the commitment where self is now dead and the glory of God is the only guiding principle and doing his will the all-consuming passion of the soul and the body and the spirit.

This is more than just following; this is true discipleship.

Staff Writer; Henderson W.

You can contact this Christian brother at: HWard@ThyBlackMan.com.

Everybody wants happiness and yet few find it.

The plain truth is that happiness, when properly understood, is the only state of life that allows a human being to be at peace with himself and his environment.

When you are happy you think all is well and there is a deep feeling of contentment.

Many people desperately want to live happily and to die the same. But, alas, so many end up in deep misery, with lots of regrets and tons of bitterness.

This should not be so, and more importantly, God did not intend for us to be unhappy.

Adam and Eve were quite happy. They bestrode the grounds of their habitation without a care in the world. Everything pleasant came to them naturally. They had no fears, no anxieties, no worries of any kind. They enjoyed an Edenic beauty, and pleasing lifestyle, that following generations could only dream of and imagine.

Yet unhappiness seems to engulf humanity like the atmosphere engulfs the earth. There seems to be no escape, no hiding place, no sanctuary from its ugly embrace.

Some people get to the state of such deep unhappiness and abject misery that they murder themselves, terminate their own life to escape the pestilential gloom. In common parlance they commit suicide to end it all.

Yet from all that you hear, observe and from your own experience it should be absolutely clear that happiness is not just imaginary. Old people think the young are happy, the young think the old is happy; the poor think the rich is happy and the rich think how happy it is to be without the burden of wealth. Everyone thinks everybody else is happy.

Lots of married people think they gave up happiness when they got married; and lots of single people decry their unhappiness and desperately want to get married so that they can be happy.

So where lies the truth?

Happiness is not like being a householder, it cannot materialise in similar fashion. If you want to be a householder, and be classified as such, then you look around and buy a home, or buy land and build a house, and presto, you are a householder.

Happiness is never like that.

There is a fleeting happiness that comes from events. Some people get happiness when they attend parties, or have drinks with friends, or go dancing or such other entertaining, festive activities. But this kind of transitory happiness lasts for the duration of the activity, then the norm ensues until some such activity is undertaken again.

This kind of spasmodic happiness can sometimes highlight, and bring to the surface, the deep-seated and overwhelming discontent consuming an individual.

It is this very same discontent that causes some individuals at parties to drink themselves into a state of stupor. It is as if the very drinking that makes them happy drives them into a state of forgetfulness so that they can be at peace with themself.

But God never intended for humans to be unhappy.

God made humans to be happy, like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and that initial intent, though now lost for greater humanity nevertheless remains a desire of all individuals.

Thers is not a single individual, anywhere on earth, who prefers to be miserable rather than be happy; and everyone seeks to be happy and free from distress.

The very sad thing about humans, their perverted nature dominating, is that genuine happiness can be achieved but not the way commonly pursued.

Since God knows us best, then it is logical and reasonable that He knows best how to dispel our unhappiness and restore some of the Edenic happiness that Adam and Eve possessed.

True happiness is a byproduct of godliness; it starts with God, rests on his assurances and is related to pleasing Him and bringing ourselves in compliance with his will.

The Bible tells us a lot about happiness – in many instances the word “blessed” is used and means the same thing – and everywhere it references Almighty God.

“There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.” (Isaiah 48:22) Where there is no personal , spiritual peace there is no happiness.

“…and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.” (Proverbs 16:20) Where there is no trust in God then lasting happiness is elusive. To trust in God is to have a relationship with him through Jesus Christ. This is the beginning of true happiness.

Believers, who are committed to Jesus Christ and serve him faithfully and true, have this deep happiness, some people call it joy, that does not pass away under suffering and persecution, under so much that is regrettable and pitiful in the world.

It is true that we are deeply concerned with the troubles of the world, and oft we groan at humanity’s cruelty and lack of care. But we remain committed and happily endure everything for the sake of Jesus Christ: “Behold, we count them happy which endure” (James 5:11)

The reason so many people are looking for true happiness and never finding it is because they are not seeking it where it is found.

True happiness is serving God, glorifying God and pleasing Him by doing His will not just some times but constantly and fully and cheerfully.

David was alluding to this when he wrote, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” (Psalm 1:2)

This is the way to true happiness; as so many saints of old have found. This is the way the heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11: 4-32 were able to do mighty things for God even though they endured great suffering and trials.

The happiness found in God is not fleeting, tentative and unsure but awesome, deep and very reassuring. It is based on a relationship with Christ in God and will stand the test of time. Just like love it, “…Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7)

This is true happiness as God intended it for all of us, and if you don’t have it then blame no one but yourself.

Staff Writer; Henderson W.

You can contact this Christian brother at: HWard@ThyBlackMan.com.

Not casually Catholic. My mother was the kind of Catholic who went to Mass every day. Faith was not something she talked about; it was something she did. In our aqua-blue kitchen, she had the lyrics, in white paint, “Holy Mary, dressed in blue, teach me how to pray.” She prayed without ceasing, and her prayers were deep and strong.

I went to a Jesuit college, Boston College, where faith was woven into the intellectual life—questions of justice, responsibility, and what it means to live a life of purpose. It wasn’t always comfortable, but it was always present.

So when I hear people arguing about the pope as if religion were a political sport, I find myself out of step with the conversation, because that’s not the faith I knew.

The noise is everywhere. Commentary about Pope Francis—what he said, what he meant, who agrees, who doesn’t—fills panels and social media feeds, turning belief into a series of takes. It is loud and, for the most part, unhelpful.

We have developed a habit of treating religious figures like political ones, as if they occupy the same space. They don’t. Political leaders govern behavior, while religious leaders, at their best, try to speak to conscience. But we have grown so accustomed to spectacle that even conscience has to compete for airtime.

The numbers tell us something is changing. Church attendance in the United States has been declining for years, and fewer people claim formal affiliation. Yet nearly nine in ten Americans say they believe in God or some higher power. Many are no longer sitting in pews, but belief persists. We measure what is easiest to count—attendance, affiliation, participation—but not what is harder to see: practice, discipline, belief.

Faith, as I understood it growing up, was never about being seen.

My mother did not go to Mass every day so someone could check her attendance. She went because that was how she ordered her life—discipline, gratitude, and a quiet insistence that there was something larger than whatever the day might bring.

My own relationship with Catholicism has been more complicated. I don’t come to this conversation as a defender of the Catholic Church; I come as someone shaped by it, challenged by it, angered by it, and still, in some ways, holding onto it.

As soon as I learned about the Church’s historical role in sanctioning enslavement, I was repulsed—and I made my opinion known, quite vocally: skipping Mass, arguing with priests, and sometimes embarrassing my mother. Sexual abuse in the Church repulses me. The betrayal of trust, and the lengths taken to conceal it, stand in painful contradiction to the values the institution professes. The codified inferior role of women has never sat easily with me either.

It is undeniably an imperfect church, but its imperfections do not diminish its relevance.

Years ago, I wrote about the patriarchy embedded in the Church, and one of my small, symbolic protests has been ending prayers with “amen, a-woman, and ase’.” Inequality does not disappear simply because we believe in our Creator. A mentor once asked whether I could point to any institution entirely free of racism or sexism. I could not.

When I hear that we are created in the image and likeness of God, I find myself looking for a stained-glass window with a pecan-colored woman with gray dreadlocks. I haven’t seen one yet.

And still, the quiet, practiced kind of faith does not lend itself to commentary, nor does it disappear simply because fewer people are sitting in church. There are still people who pray before the day begins, give thanks before they ask, and show up for others not because it is convenient, but because it is right.

It is also worth noticing the signals we choose to see. Pope Francis has chosen to live in modest quarters rather than the traditional papal apartments, a small but visible gesture in an institution known for grandeur. In a world accustomed to power on display, that kind of restraint stands out not because it is dramatic, but because it is not.

My grandmother used to say that some people come to God with their hands out and their mouths open. It was her way of reminding us that faith is not only about asking, but about recognizing, giving thanks, and showing up with something other than need.

We don’t talk much about that kind of faith anymore. It doesn’t fit neatly into our arguments or produce a headline, but it may be closer to what faith actually is.

If nearly all of us believe in something beyond ourselves, then the question is not whether faith is disappearing, but whether we have misunderstood where it lives. It may not be in the noise we amplify or the arguments we keep having, but in the quiet, daily practices that go largely unseen.

Written by Julianne Malveaux

Official website; https://www.juliannemalveaux.com

In addition to both of them serving in the U.S. Senate, Rubio and Vance say they are guided by their Catholic faith. The common denominator running through them is political expediency. Political expediency, in this case, is the central force driving the behavior and actions of two leaders who at times compromise moral and political principles in exchange for immediate power, ambition and influence.

Both Rubio and Vance made the decision that it was in their political best interests and advantage to move away from being harsh critics of Donald Trump to becoming staunch allies in order to remain in Trump’s good graces.  In a 2016 interview while promoting his book “Hillbilly Elegy,” Vance called himself “a Never Trump guy” and said of the soon-to-be-president, “I never liked him.” He told NPR the same year, “I can’t stomach Trump.” He wrote an op-ed for The New York Times titled: “Mr. Trump Is Unfit for Our Nation’s Highest Office.” Today, JD Vance is Trump’s vice president.

On the other hand, during the 2016 campaign for the Republican nomination, Rubio called Trump a “con artist” and “the most vulgar person to ever aspire to the presidency.” Now, Rubio is the current Secretary of State in the Trump Administration.

While Evangelist Franklin Graham was never a U.S. Senator having the goal of becoming president, he shows how powerful religious leaders do not have to be politicians to be driven by ethical compromise and political expediency.  Graham serves as President and CEO of the organization, Samaritan’s Purse. According to its website, Samaritan’s Purse has met the needs of poor, sick and suffering people by providing food, medical care and other assistance in more than 170 countries. The expressed mission of Samaritan’s Purse is to follow the example of Christ by helping those in need and proclaiming the hope of the Gospel.

Franklin Graham, the son of the famed evangelist Billy Graham, has always been one of Trump’s most loyal religious allies and defenders. He frequently provides public support by mobilizing evangelical voters during both of Trump’s presidential campaigns. Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) last month, Graham urged MAGA world to end their infighting and rally around the president and the GOP at the next midterm elections. Therefore, should we be surprised when Graham took to social media to defend Trump’s controversial post depicting himself as a Christ-like figure?

“Franklin Graham of all people, who is frequently at the WH (White House) and with Trump should be leading Trump to be a Christian, NOT telling other Christians that Trump did nothing wrong when he committed blasphemy,” wrote former Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene. The former congresswoman was right to expose Franklin Graham. He is not the president’s spiritual leader and advisor in the true sense, but rather a political “kingmaker”. When Christian leaders act as “kingmakers”, they leverage their spiritual authority to mobilize voting blocs, endorse candidates, fulfill cultural goals and shape national policy.

Donald Trump would not be occupying the White House a second time without the support from certain Christian leaders fulfilling their role as political kingmakers. The “kingmaker” will address political topics like abortion and religious liberty by framing them as spiritual battles that require voting for specific candidates. The political realty sees evangelicals getting everything they want despite having a president whose actions contradict Christian moral values.

Franklin Graham is in a unique situation when it comes to fighting poverty. Persistent poverty is a form of social oppression. When dealing with the poor, there is a two-track approach: charity and justice. Charity deals with the symptoms by providing direct services such as food, clothing, medicine and shelter. On the other hand, justice is directed at the root causes behind poverty. It deals with confronting the systemic barriers by promoting social changes in institutions and government laws and policies. Poverty persists because entrenched policies and systemic barriers lock people in, and only legislative action can dismantle those root causes.

Why do Christian leaders like Franklin Graham fight for religious liberty and not fight for economic justice and liberty for the poor through effective legislative engagement? Graham excels at charity, but abstains from the political work required to change the underlying systems of poverty despite having direct access and influence with those in high levels of government.

Graham’s organization addresses the immediate needs by providing food and medicine, yet it leaves the machinery of poverty intact. Continuing to treat the symptoms without confronting root causes such as the ever-widening pay gap between the rich and the poor only entrenches social oppression. A Christian leader cannot simultaneously be a “kingmaker” within a certain power structure and be a genuine advocate for justice that requires the dismantling of the very same power structure.

When Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks out against the one percent, it is a path that confronts the Donald Trumps and Elon Musks of the world. It is a path that Franklin Graham and others are unwilling to take. This selective compassion – addressing charity but ignoring justice – is disingenuous in the same manner of being pro-life on abortion and not on gun control.

Trump will eventually go away in time. Therefore, our focus should first be on the new wave of Trump wannabes who will do anything for political expediency, and secondly on the “kingmakers” who would gladly put them in power.

Written by David W. Marshall

Official website; https://davidwmarshallauthor.com/

One may purchase his book, which is titled; God Bless Our Divided America: Unity, Politics and History from a Biblical Perspective.

All well and good if the circumstances require such an approach, and in general there is much to commend such an attitude; if looking back, going back, or harping for what is behind is detrimental to the achievement of our goals.

This negativity is perhaps what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he said, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

However praiseworthy it is to look ahead and press forward, it is nonetheless true that looking back at where you came from, at the challenges you faced and overcame, at the assistance you were afforded in your hour of need, and the people who were instrumental in delivering your hard-earned success, is at times a useful and necessary exercise.

It was essential, time and again, for God to remind his children to remember the past so that they could better evaluate the present, make the necessary adjustments, look forward in hope, and prepare for a better future:

“And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.” (Deuteronomy 8:2)

“Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.” (1 Chronicles 16:12-15)

“Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger: and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant. And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.” (Ezekiel 16:61-62)

“Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” (Revelation 2:5)

Hitherto hath the Lord helped us is an affirmation of vital help given at a crucial time, but it was also a looking back, by Samuel, at where God had taken them from as they battled the warlike Philistines.

In their evaluation, as they reflected on the vagaries of prolonged fighting, after all they had previously fought against fierce enemies including the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, they were now faced with perhaps the most deadly enemy of all; the rampaging Philistines. A people who scared Israel enormously, because among their population were giants.

Samuel had seen the depravity of Israel as the people turned their backs on God, and he instructed them to repent and put away their false gods. Here was his call: “And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” (1 Samuel 7:3)

The people repented, put away their false gods and turned to God, and Samuel instructed them to meet at Mizpeh, so that he could pray for deliverance from the Philistines. The people gathered as Mizpeh, and when the Philistines heard the news they approached the Israelites and was ready to do battle.

But God had a surprise for the Philistines.

“And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar. .” (1 Samuel 7:10-11)

Remember that Israel had fought the Philistines twice in this same place, and were twice soundly beaten, and the ark taken, and now they had at last achieved a staggering victory. So Samuel took a stone, and set it as a monument of the victory obtained by the help of God, and this he placed between Mizpeh and Shen and called it Ebenezer.

Every believer in Christ can joyfully consent to the sentiments shared by Israel as Samuel declared those memorable words, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us…” (1 Samuel 7:12)

Every believer in Christ has come through tough battles, be they physical, emotional, mental or spiritual, and can look back, and if not exactly enamoured with the battles, at least can savour the sweet victory, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Every believer in Christ has testimony of God’s unfailing grace that has brought them through, even when others were doubtful of their success, and can join with Paul in saying, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

Every believer in Christ can look back at the seared landscape, know they have been there, battled in the vicious cauldron of humanity, took knocks and falls, and the many attacks of the enemy, and still emerged trusting God; both now and for the future.

There is absolutely nothing to compare with the knowledge and confidence now that God has brought you through it all. You have been tested and tried, and your confidence in God is undiminished, and you know that he will give you more victories in the future.

This is what, in essence, Samuel was alluding to when he said “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.”

All believers in Christ can now empathise with those undergoing struggle, not because we are perfect, or have already attained, we are far from, but because we have been throughly tested, and have survived, and are witnesses to God’s gracious keeping.

All believers in Christ can speak of the highs and lows of discipleship from the standpoint of personal experience, and is able, not just to offer pray and understanding, but where necessary stand shoulder to shoulder with other believers in Christ and, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” (Romans 12:15)

Every believer in Christ can, because God has hitherto been gracious, say like the Apostle Paul, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) not for any other reason but that you have transitioned to full maturity in Christ through your many tribulations.

Every believer in Christ can be a role model for other Christians, especially the youth, because you have succeeded so far, “…but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)

All believers in Christ can look back in awe at what God has brought them through, stand firm and strong in God’s grace that enfold and keeps us, and without a shadow or hint of a doubt know assuredly that, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

So let’s not be discouraged, or get frustrated and dismayed by the prevailing circumstances, no matter how daunting things look. Our God has brought us here, he has guided us thus far with awesome foresight and care; and will take us all the way home. And remember that no one can pluck you out of God’s hand, and that is the ultimate guarantee for all believers.

Staff Writer; Henderson W.

You can contact this Christian brother at: HWard@ThyBlackMan.com.