Often our Decency Minutes share news items which focus on people who stand in need of God’s saving grace. Over the years, we’ve encouraged you to pray for various ones of these individuals as well as those victims or family members left in the wake of their crimes. Who knows but that God’s tremendous grace might reach into their lives and pull them out from their pit of sin, even as God has done for some of us: “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” (Colossians 1:13)
This week’s Decency Minutes, narrated by Bill Johnson, are no exception; there are people and situations for which we should pray. However, there are two situations which happened this past week that are not part of our Decency Minute scripts that I would like to share with our readers, encouraging you to pray.
First: Most of you have likely heard of Bryan Kohberger, who has been sentenced to four consecutive life sentences for the 2022 fatal stabbings of four University of Idaho students. Yet, how many know about the mother of one of these victims who, in court, by God’s grace, has forgiven her daughter’s murderer, pleading with him and praying for him to accept Jesus. “I do pray for you. I pray that, before this life is over, that you ask our Lord and Savior in your heart and to forgive you.”
That is a testimony to God’s grace and power working within one who has been transformed by perfect love. Might each of us find the strength and resolve to pray for our enemies, whether they be personal or more removed, like those bad actors within our government or foreign powers which seek our harm and demise.
Second: Most have also likely heard of the passing of professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, who stepped into eternity yesterday morning at 71 years of age. How many children and adults did this man influence throughout his many decades of wrestling? Though he was well-loved, was his influence, spiritually speaking, for good or did it detract from the things of God? I was surprised to read, and only God knows Hulk Hogan’s heart, that he became a baptized Christian at the age of 70.
Perhaps there’s a sports figure, comedian, actor, politician, etc. who has influenced you or you have high regard for; have you prayed for this person? We may enjoy their acting or appreciate the things they do, but have we prayed for their soul? It’s something that most of us likely don’t think to do. Yet, Paul exhorts young Timothy:
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 Tim. 2:1-6)
These two news items should remind us that no one is beyond God’s reach and regardless of how long you’ve been praying for that wayward son, daughter, friend, coworker, or whoever, keep praying – don’t grow weary in well-doing – God’s timing is always perfect.
As the Holy Spirit prompts us to pray, may we respond obediently, fervently, and with importunity.
After the January 6, 2021 protest, over 1500 Americans were arrested. They were accused of trying to overthrow the government, an accusation which was also levied at Donald Trump.
However, thanks to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, we now know that Obama, while he was president, orchestrated the use of the infamous and now thoroughly discredited Steele Dossier to undermine the American people’s choice for President in 2016, and when that failed, to slow him down from accomplishing their will as expressed through their votes.
The Russiagate conspiracy didn’t just attack Donald Trump, it attacked the right of American citizens to select their own leaders to carry out the political will of the American people. Unlike American citizens protesting their own government’s procedures, that actually is insurrection.
May our country’s politicians once again work for the people.
Be sure, your sin will find you out
If there ever was a visual example of God’s warning – “your sin will find you out”– it was the viral moment at a Coldplay concert where the “Kiss Camera” exposed a couple in an adulterous affair.
The overwhelming public reaction has been one of condemnation for this cheating couple. Frankly, it’s rather surprising in this sexualized culture that there’s been such backlash. After all, for decades we’ve been told “do what feels right” and sex is treated as nothing more than a recreational activity – severed from the boundaries of marriage.
Yet this moral judgment against adultery reveals that every person has God’s law stamped upon their hearts.
One day, OUR secret sins will be laid bare – not on a jumbotron – but before Almighty God. May we rid ourselves of the sin that so easily entangles, looking to Jesus who paid the penalty that we deserve.
The left often shames Christians into empathizing with those who espouse anti-Biblical views and lifestyles. While we are to show love and compassion for the individual, speaking into their lives as the Holy Spirit leads, we aren’t to show what Allie Beth Stuckey calls “toxic empathy.”
Here, she demolishes the number-one psychological trick of the left: “Toxic empathy is the primary tool of persuasion used by progressives to manipulate well-meaning Christians. They use toxic empathy by employing our language, our Bible verses, our concepts, and then pervert them to morally extort us into adopting their position.”
The solution to avoid toxic empathy regarding immigration, LGBTQ issues, or whatever the left tries to force upon us next, is really knowing the Bible. Discernment comes from regularly being in the Word, being led by the Holy Spirit, and being in a spirit of communion and prayer.
Puritan Thomas Manton on prayer:
“The sweetest experiences of God’s saints are when they are alone with him. Without seeking God often, the vitality of the soul is lost. We may as well expect a crop and harvest without sowing, as living grace without seeking God. God is first cast out of the closet, and then out of the family, and within a little while, out of the congregation. Omit secret prayer, and some great sin will follow. A man who is often with God, does not dare to offend him so freely as others do.”
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