Sometimes I read something and it makes me stop dead in my tracks. This quote was tweeted by Beth Moore yesterday and it was one of those quotes I had to stop and think about it.
I read it and then I re-read it. I clicked away for a while and then I went back and read it again.
Truthfully, it’s been brewing for years. Little by little there’s been a quiet loud movement to push God out of everything. To make people who believe in Jesus look weak and narrow-minded.
1 Peter 4:12-16 reminds us, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 1 Peter 4:12-16
We have been sloppy and sleepy. We’ve taken for granted the freedom we’ve had to worship, to read scripture and to speak openly about our faith.
This is the Joshua 24:15 moment of our time in history, “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
So what are we to do if the road gets harder, if we are insulted or even persecuted? We glorify God!
Do you think we have had it easy in America? Have we been sloppy and sleepy?
This song is a great reminder that Jesus is the only one! Enjoy.
Have a blessed day!
**However you feel about our faith in America, please please be kind in your comments to each other and to those who might not be believers.
We are the arms, legs. feet etc. of Christ in this world and we want to extend love and grace.
I do believe this is true as well, Cyndi. The bible tells us that in the end times that are coming (and I believe we are entering into) churches will become weaker, and t here will be many that “water down” the Word of God or falsely teach the Gospel, and many false teachers and prophets. It will be MUCH more difficult to discern truth from “nearly true” (there is a BIG difference) and the church will become weak. I do feel we are seeing all of this start to happen.
One nation under God with liberty and justice for all. Trust in God and all will be as it should.
Greed … I love Casting Crowns too 🙂
Oops ~ Agreed!
Good Morning Cyndi,
Loved what you had to say here today, how true it is, I to believe we are living in the last days. Something we are noticing in our church here, apart from fellow Christians who are slowly being distracted by the pleasures of this world, is how many back sliders are coming “home”. Also how many new people are being curious about our faith and what has kept us going to church for so long. I believe the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit that was promised in the last days is starting to see this happen. So yes we have to stay strong and have enough oil for our lamps to keep buring!
God Bless, love your blog.
Joanne
Joanne,
Your comment gives such a wonderful and powerful reminder, when new faces show up at your church or bible study, or wherever……Be welcoming…smile, tell people you are happy they are there.
Yes so true Suzanna. When I’m meeting someone new for the first time I always imagine Jesus is right beside me (technically He is) as a reminder that we are representing Him.
Just a thought, I don’t know if you have noticed how many beautiful older Christian people have died this year!!! As we are living in the last days, IS He taking these beautiful ones home because of the “tests and trials” that are coming, as Cyndi mention above?
As Israel is our time piece, I’m excited what will happen between now and September when the forth blood moon happens – exciting days.
Stay “plugged” into our Father Suzanna. Bless you and your family.
Dear Cyndi,
Thank you SO MUCH for this post. I am a mother with five children, two who have professed to be gay. God’s word is clear, and my heart is clearly broken by their choices. But God has placed it on my heart to love them unconditionally while holding on to the truth, and speaking that truth in love. I have spoken to my pastor, and he has confirmed that this is what God has called us all to do. I pray CONTINUOUSLY for my children that God will reveal the truth to them, both through the love of our family and through other believers. And please, Cyndi, pray for us…the hurt is very real, but greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world!
I was strangely “joyful” when the SCOTUS decision came out…. not because I was in favor of the decision… but, because I saw this amazing OPPORTUNITY to SHINE…. we can shine… we can light the city on a hill…. we can be HOPE…. our faith, collectively, in the US has become “sloppy”…. people aren’t drawn to Christ because we fail to show them LOVE and HOPE and the chance to have JESUS change their hearts…. transform it… I was at a Family Camp two weeks ago in Michigan and had to repent of my own APATHY in my Christian walk… God does not need me… but I should consider it a privilege– an honor– to serve Him as a daughter of the King…. LET’S WALK OUT OUR FAITH THAT WAY… and make DISCIPLES!
James 1:2-4New Living Translation (NLT)
2 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
I am glad you posted this, it has been heavy on my mind. The harder I am pushed, the stronger my beliefs are only with God. Thank you for writing your blog!
As Christians, we are going to be watched and tested, which means it is mandatory to “walk the talk” of what Christianity is and stands for …loving God and his commandments, respecting others, being upright and upstanding…letting the world see that being a Christian is good thing, because of our good actions toward one another. The “easy days” are over. Our world has grown smaller and more diverse.
Thanks Cyndi for standing up for what is Godly and true. I commend you for that. We as Christians need to band together against what is not Godly! Our country was founded on God’s infallible word. The Bible is true yesterday , today and forever!
Sandy
We Christians have been caught unaware. We thought we knew these days were coming, but we weren’t watching closely enough to realize how near they really were or if these things would truly happen. The time has come for us to be true Christian warriors and fight for our God the way we have always promised Him. If we are true to the Father, He will uphold us and we will shout His name. He will be among us, we are not alone.
Do not fear: I am with you;
Do not be anxious: I am your God.
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My victorious right hand.
-Isaiah 41:10
Our pastor reminded us today of the two commandments:
1. Love the Lord God with all your heart.
2. Love thy neighbor as thyself.
Who am I to judge others? I may not understand why God made others different than me, but none the less God made each of us. I will continue to try to honor these commandments in my actions toward my fellow man.
Beautifully said Lorraine!
Thank you Cyndi for being unafraid to speak from the heart. We were reminded last week by our pastor to remember as a church -we love people. We may not condone a lifestyle, and there are many lifestyles that don’t follow what God has taught us, but we should love one another as Jesus loves us…period.
God bless you!
Cindi….thank you for the tweet. It was encouraging. I do believe we Christians have gotten complacent and been lazy. Many times we have not shown God’s love in the way we should. God is good and He will take care of us and our children.
Take heart. The Lord was not taken by surprise. He will build His church as He always has.
I agree Dianna! Nothing has changed on the kingdom calendar!
Your post reminded me of what I read in Christianity Today & what my husband powerfully presched on today, “The temptation is to go off and sulk in our holy corner. Or to dig in our heels and fight harder. Or to lash out in anger. Or to despair. We can do better. Like taking to heart especially the Beatitudes:
The temptation is to go off and sulk in our holy corner. Or to dig in our heels and fight harder. Or to lash out in anger. Or to despair. We can do better.
Rejoice. Not in the decision, of course, but “Rejoice in the Lord always,” says Paul, “again I say rejoice.” And elsewhere, “Give thanks to God in all circumstances.” And this paraphrase: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, or prevail against you in the public square because of me. Rejoice and be glad…” (Matt. 5:11).
Rejoice in what exactly? Let’s just note the big things: That God has not gone anywhere. That Christ’s death and resurrection remain the power of salvation for all. That the gospel still goes forth. That the gates of the Supreme Court or Congress cannot prevail against Christ’s church. That there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. That the kingdom will come—and that there remains a great deal of vital work for us to do in the church and in society until that day.” I found this very powerful & encouraging! CHRIST IS STILL ON HIS THRONE,
Amen, and Amen!
I am and have been a Christian for over 60 years. But I also respect people of other faiths. I would NEVER think of talking about Jesus to my Jewish friends (of which there are many). I also have friends who are atheists and I love them dearly. They are mature, good people who have made their own choices and certainly don’t need me preaching to them. I am happy in my faith and pray to God every day. Sad to say, I have met some Christians that I do not wish to spend time with. They are the ones who are always judging others. Also, if a child is loved, I don’t really care if it is by a female and male, or any combination. So, I do support the Supreme Courts latest decision. And I think the world my little grandchildren are growing up in is a very good one as long as some people with hate in their hearts leave them all alone. My God is a loving one HE and He alone can judge.
I really needed to read this post today. Thank you, Cyndi.
You are so welcome Melanie!
Yes be bold take advantage of opportunities to speak for Christ!
Have we forgotten what it is to live without hope!
Our lost world needs that hope and love! We must be bold … Nothing to lose!
Thanks again for timely topic!!!!
Thank you for your words… I had never heard that song before and I love it. ❤️
Amen!
Hi Cyndi from England,
Thank you for your blog and thank you for being real. I also read this quote from Beth Moore on Twitter yesterday and my mind has returned to it during today. Britain has long been a very secular society but here too is a growing awareness of the opposition and the need to make a stand. I really want to encourage you girls out there because I believe that in spite of the opposition God is giving us a greater strength from Himself. I also dare to believe that even in these days we are beginning to see what will become vast numbers of people from across the earth coming to the Lord. So take heart. Be aware of the changing times but don’t fix your eyes on the opposition and become afraid. Instead fix your eyes on Jesus who is greater than all our problems. Thanks again Cyndi.
Love it, fix our eyes on Jesus!!
Amen!
Cyndi,
You have a wonderful blog and I enjoy reading it daily. You are right that we are going to be tested. We as Christians have been sleeping. We profess Christ but we do not do as he asks. We go to church and spend time with other believers. Christ’s example also shows us we should spend time with non-believers as well, not conform to them but that they might be transformed through Christ using us to show His love. We need to step out of our comfort zone be the example Jesus called us to be.
Keep the faith!
Laura
I felt persecuted this past week when I openly shared my freedom of speech based on the bible. In my own home and on social media. It is getting harder to go against the flow. My Pastor quoted this same verse in church this morning. We stood and sang “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” together and heard the story of the writer of this song whose family was killed before his own life was taken because he would not renounce Jesus. We need to stand together, pray for our Pastors, Church and ourselves to be strong in and for Christ.
Amen, Beth! Love that song and the story behind it.
Thanks Anita!
I agree, Cyndi. It’s been happening slowly and we’ve known it has been coming, but I think we’ve hoped it would be later rather than sooner. It’s time to wake up and be strong together. Thanks for not being afraid to speak your mind and thanks for being an encouragement in so many ways.
Thank you Cyndi for your encouraging words! Chrjstians of all fajths and denomjnations need to stand together in the truth. But the truth always spoken in love as Jesus did to all those who came to him for we are all His precious children! Blessings, Teresa
I’m thankful that we have one another as well. I’ve also been feeling strongly that we need to be pressing into the Lord and allowing Him to work on our hearts that we would respond to this world and changing values the way Jesus would have, with love, grace and compassion yet unwavering in the truth.
Working out our own areas where we find hate, judgement and prejudices so that we can truly bring the Good News to this world and the people that God so loved without wavering from our stand on righteousness. It is a unstable time but the Lord is our anchor in the rough water.
I’m so thankful for you and your loving, stable walk. It feels so comforting to see we are not alone.
Love and live this quote! It has never been more relevant than right now.
Blessings to you and your family Cyndi! ☀️
Amen Cindi! Your are so right. I can see our path being a very rocky road now. There are many out there trying to push God out of everything this great country of ours was founded on. It will not be easy for our grandchildren, things we see happening now & wondering how we are going to explain to our grandchildren. So yes, we as Christians, are going to be in for some really difficult times. I feel at times, I’ve been asleep at the wheel, and all of a sudden, woke up & thought, how did all these changes happen, and what more could I have done…..thank you Cindi for your insight today. It really got me thinking as well.
The past two weeks have been tough as a Christian, esp.
with the recent ruling change in our Constitution which is
100 percent wrong….. We are living in a world where
wrong is now right, and right is now wrong….How does one
develop a conscience if everything is okay???? God help us!
I want to thank you for being you, and for your wonderful
inspiring blog in which I read daily…..God Bless you
Cyndi Spivey!!!!!
DeeLynn
I totally agree with you Cyndi. Beliefs and rights others believe they are entitled to are being shoved at us, and we are basically being told “this is the way it is now, and there’s nothing you can do about it.” It seems that everything we do, as Christians, offends someone today. Well what happened to America? We were once a God-fearing Christian county. The God I know would never want this for America. Other “beliefs” are taking over this once God-fearing country. I am saddened by the fact that my young daughter is going to grow up being taught that it is okay to have two moms and no dad or two dads and no mom. Personally, I don’t care who I offend by saying that in my opinion, it just isn’t Christian to think that is okay. Our priest has addressed this with the church by letting us know that the Supreme Court can give a civil ruling on whatever they wish; however, the church does not have to stand behind it, condone it, etc. We have to accept that laws in the eyes of the country are changing, but the laws in the eyes of God will never change. The Supreme Court did not take this away from the church. Hang on to that. Probably ruffling some feathers today, but I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day.
From one Gina to another – thank you!! You said it much better than I did. Thank your for speaking up & spelling it out! We, as grandparents, will have a lot of explaining to our young school age grandchildren what is no longer the norm. And trying to explain it in Biblical terms they can understand……again, it will be a rocky road…
While I do believe in traditional marriage we have to be careful how we handle the supreme court decision.
Blasting out opinions on social media is not going to change most people’s mind whether you were for it or against it.
What I do think is we need to share the Good News of Jesus. Get back to the basics of “Go Make Disciples.”
Remember that God is still on His throne!
Just my 2 cents!
Cyndi
I agree with that Cyndi. I like your 2 cents worth.
Amen!
Agreed!
As a RN and supervisor, I spend time making rounds and speaking with the patients. One lady and I had a nice chat. Before leaving I said “we all know there is only one who really knows our fate in life.” She seemed ok with the comment but I thought I probably should not have said that. I do not work for a Christian hospital. Then I thought I should be able to speak of God when I want. I agree, it seems to get harder and harder to voice our thoughts and beliefs. I believe this is our trial to see if we will deny Jesus. I will not. Blessings, Wendy
I agree Cyndi, I have to answer to God. When speaking about social media, my son who is a Marine commented about having to change words since the ruling and he got blasted and name called. It saddens me to think that our country is so terribly divided. Blessings and thank you!
Exactly. If someone does not believe that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God then we have no argument with them. Our words and actions will be what wins them. We can speak the Truth but it must be done in love. We are not called to compromise and we can love without compromising. If you/I know the Truth and fail to tell someone because you’re/I’m afraid of offending them then you are “loving them into hell”. These are times when we must boldly speak the Truth in love and continue to love even when others reject our values. The world is watching. Will we be known by our love?
Amen, Amy! Being a Christian doesn’t mean we sit back and condone and compromise God’s word. Remember it is not a sin to be angry; the sin is in how you respond. (Remember, Jesus got angry with the moneychangers at the temple.) We must respond in love but still take a stand!
Cyndi, I believe you are totally right and for our children and grandchildren, it will be harder and harder. As Christians, we are being put down for our beliefs and opinions, often by those who profess everyone should have the freedom to believe whatever they choose. But, when we say what we believe in as Christ followers, we are condemned. We cannot please the world and live the way God has clearly told us to live, even though we must live in the world. We honestly do have to choose who we will follow/serve, exactly as scripture warned, God or the world. Thanks for today’s post!
Hi Cindy,
I read your posts and look forward to seeing what you are wearing each day. I never have commented, but I do find your blog to be fun and also contemplative. I must respectfully disagree with this post however. I do not think Christianity and its beliefs are being assaulted nor do I believe that the faith is being derided. What I do believe is that our world has become much smaller in terms of our connections to other people. We no longer simply live in a community that is insulated and where everyone shares the same beliefs. We have been exposed to new beliefs, new ways of thinking, and new ways of living. America has become more diverse and there are people who do not share Christian beliefs. I believe it is fair and right to respect their beliefs just as Christians expect theirs to be respected. I also believe the derision comes when some Christians judge and condemn publically beliefs that are held by their fellow humans. No one, including Christians, want to feel that someone is cramming their beliefs down their throats. Jesus Himself said (and I’m paraphrasing) that once the message is delivered, it is not the responsibility of anyone but the receiver to answer the call. Thanks for letting me post.
Thank you you for sharing Gayna! I don’t ever think we should be mean or ugly to any human. Clearly God’s word does not condone that.
I do believe we have to respect other beliefs but I think our beliefs as christians are going to be tested in the coming days. Time will tell.
Thank you for commenting and I always appreciate kind comments whether we agree or not.
Blessings,
Cyndi
Gayna…I certainly agree with all you have written. Posted something similar.