http://www.persuadedlife.com/ en Copyright 2008 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:24:30 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD. Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes" (Pro. 21:1). God does the work, but He uses His people to make the difference. This is an opportunity for each of us. Time is of the essence, and so are our prayers. ]]> http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/072308_prayer_opportunity/ http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/072308_prayer_opportunity/ Blog Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:24:30 -0500 This week's entourage of reporters following Obama's trip to various countries has brought about much discussion on the blatant bias of the media. Does it exist? A recent report surveyed June's political coverage of the three main networks: Obama received 114 minutes while McCain received 48 minutes. Of course media bias exists. While some make excuses that Obama is just more exciting and newsworthy, no one can deny that the media is a tool for the democratic nominee. But why should we be surprised? And how should we let this impact our attitude and influence? Being Christlike and upholding godly standards was not popular in Jesus' day, and it won't be popular in ours. But Jesus continued to influence His world, and so should we. So let's give it a rest. Let's not spend any more time stressing about something we can't change. Instead, let's concentrate on making the most of the opportunities we have. Let's turn the bias into opportunities. Jesus' works spoke for themselves. So will ours. http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/072208_right_thing_wrong_reaso/ http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/072208_right_thing_wrong_reaso/ Blog Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:16:55 -0500 Baltimore Sun as "the most pro-choice Congress in the history of the Republic." A militant homosexual agenda has resulted. What will happen in 2008? Will you vote? The results speak for themselves. Voting is both your right AND your responsibility before God. ]]> http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/072108_rallying_the_troops/ http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/072108_rallying_the_troops/ Blog Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:28:20 -0500 does live in our hearts (Col. 3:15). He is truly alive (Mt. 28: 2-10). He does feel our pain (Heb. 4:15). He is faithful (2 Tim. 2:13). He is available (Ps. 46:1). He does hear and answer our prayers (Mt. 21:22). He is in control (Job 38:4; Ps. 31:15). All these are reason to have hope. Timothy simply called "the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope" (1 Tim. 1:1). And it is only those who don't know Him who have no hope--regardless of how many good things are happening in their worlds. These are discouraging times, and evil seems to be winning on so many fronts. Yet, because God is still very much in charge, let's not lose hope. Instead, let's get up in the morning and talk to God about all that concerns us for the day--both personally and globally. Let's watch the news or take the call about the latest crisis and then talk to Jesus about it. Let's consciously pray. And then no matter what we're facing, let's demonstrate hope. For it's hope that doesn't disappoint us (Romans 5:5)--because of the One we hope in. ]]> http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/070308_reason_for_hope/ http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/070308_reason_for_hope/ Blog Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:52:53 -0500 ". . . God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due . . . That those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve those who practice them." And then there is 1 Corinthians 6:9-10: "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extoritioners will inherit the kingdom of God." God doesn't hate the homosexual, but He does hate the sin of homosexuality. He made the rules, and He expects us to know and uphold the rules He made. It is not for the persuaded to sit idly by and allow political correctness to supercede this responsibility as Christians. We should not support anything that God does not condone, and I don't believe we should support any presidential candidate who does so either. That's what the liberal media won't tell you, but now you can consider yourself told! ]]> http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/070208_what_the_liberal_media/ http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/070208_what_the_liberal_media/ Blog Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:59:42 -0500 can be). God's work takes both. Which role is more important? "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. . . . there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you'; nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.' No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor" (1 Cor. 12:4; 20-23). It's not just the brick layer who creates giant brick buildings. The job couldn't be accomplished without hod carriers. Nor could the CEO of a company or the pastor of a church or the missionary in the field accomplish his or her calling without hod carriers--those doing the background, supporting work. Success requires both and keeps the resulting credit from going to just one. No matter what brick-laying job you hold, find a place you can become a hod carrier--a supporting, not up-front role. Seek out a ministry or a mission or some other cause and faithfully support them. Pray diligently for someone pursuing his or her calling. Put your money behind your beliefs in this political season by supporting those on the front lines. Be creative. Be obedient. Be faithful. Be a spiritual hod carrier. Then be part of the success that results. ]]> http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/062408/ http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/062408/ Blog Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:35:05 -0500 Believe it or not, Senate bill 200 was signed into law at the end of May by the governor of Colorado. In the name of civil-rights protections for homosexuals, our rights as citizens were removed. If you are a man who might think you're a woman (or even dress up like one) you can use the women's restroom! In one of the most beautiful states in the U.S., we are faced with the ugly reality that women, girls, and young children can be joined in public bathrooms by perverts. In a state known for its high altitudes, we have sunk to new lows. And in a state known for its hundreds of Christian ministries, we have been bombarded by liberal efforts to unseat Christian values in our state. I worked for Focus on the Family for many years and proudly joined their tireless efforts to preserve both Christian values and the family. But in the more than 14 years I have lived in Colorado, I have never seen such discouragement among Christians as we witness the forces of evil take over. The same discouragement could recently be found by Californians when unelected activist judges overturned the will of more than 60 percent of voters and legalized same-sex marriage. Discouragement is not confined to Colorado or California, however. I read recently that a black woman lost her job for saying homosexuality is not comparable to the civil rights movement, a Christian photography business was heavily fined for refusing to photograph a homosexual marriage, and Catholic Charities in Massachusetts were forced to stop arranging adoptions because they would not place children in gay households. Yes, discouragement among Christians is definitely on the rise, so much so, that many have retreated deciding that there is nothing we can do to change things. Of our two choices for president, Obama promises, among other things, to put more liberal justices on the Supreme Court and to support all aspects of abortion and gay marriage. McCain is better, but fails to meet all the standards that we as conservative Christians uphold. As a result, countless believers have decided to sit this election out. But in this time of uncertainty, at least three truths still stand: God is not wringing His hands trying to decide what to do; Satan (and the people he controls) has not won; and God's people need to become part of the solution. In Isaiah 6:8 we read, "I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?' Then I [Isaiah] said, 'Here am I! Send me.' " Isaiah lived at one of the most crucial times in the history of Judah and Israel. Israel (the northern kingdom) had witnessed seven evil kings lead Israel into pagan worship. Judah (the southern kingdom), under Uzziah, Jotham, and Hezekiah had maintained an outward godliness but had gradually fallen into serious moral and spiritual decline (Is. 3:8-36). No doubt, discouragement abounded, but right in the middle of all the bad news, Isaiah recognized that God was still in charge and that He used His people to accomplish His work. Isaiah heard God's call for men and women to step to the plate, and then Isaiah responded. The results? Isaiah's contribution not only help guide the people then, but his work still inform us today. Christians look to his writings for instruction. No Old Testament book, with the possible exception of the Psalms, speaks more powerfully and appropriately to modern-day believers. Does that sound like God was clueless about what to do? Does that sound like evil had won? Does that sound like godly people can't make a difference? No, no, and no. "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?" Turn from your discouragement today and hear God's voice as Isaiah did, and then respond, "Here I am, send me." Pray, "God, thank You that You are in control. Use me, Lord, to make a difference in this time and place." Then listen to what He says to you, how He leads you, what He tells you to do. Collectively, God's people will be a force to be reckoned with and will turn the tide. It's not time to be discouraged but to be encouraged as we remember that we're on the winning team. "Here I am, send me." That's all it will take to make the difference. http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/061708/ http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/061708/ Blog Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:34:31 -0500 Epicenter: Why the Current Rumblings in the Middle East Will Change Your Future. Rosenberg, a Christian Jew, combined his experience in working at various levels of government with the truth of Scripture to interpret current events. He wrote four novels using this combination, and in all four cases, his storyline came eerily true. Epicenter is Rosenberg's nonfiction book that helps explain and clarify many things we see happening in the world around us. It was Ezekiel's prophecy in chapters 38 and 39 that especially framed Rosenberg's writings. It is there we read: "All nations will see" God's judgment. Rosenberg maintains that with the proliferation of televisions and satellite dishes around the globe, we are now living in history's first age when this prophecy could be truly fulfilled. Yet Bible history has been heading down this road since the beginning. God turned water into blood before Pharaoh so "you shall know that I am the Lord" (Ex. 7:17). He sent hail so Pharaoh would know "that there is none like Me in all the earth" (Ex.9:14) and so he could know "that the earth is the Lord's" (Ex. 9:29). Then there was Joshua. God rolled back the Jordan and allowed the Israelites to walk across on dry land so the the people and their children after them "may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever" (Js. 4:24). And let's not forget Elijah. He offered a burnt sacrifice and prayed " 'Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God . . . " (1 Ki. 18:37). What happened? "Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, 'The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!' " (1 Ki. 18:39). God has always done His miraculous works not for miracles sake alone, but so that people watching would know the bigger truth--that He is God! And He used his willing people to accomplish it. Yet only those standing close by became convinced in Pharaoah's, Joshua's, and Elijah's days. And as wonderful as it was, only a few hundred people witnessed Jesus resurrection from the dead and the Holy Spirit when it fell on Pentecost. But one day, "All nations will see." At that time, "every knee shall bow . . . and every tongue shall confess to God" (Rom. 14:11). Meanwhile, you and I must continue to do the Moses/Joshua/Elijah works. We must allow those around us to become persuaded by the power they see God manifest through our lives. In that way, we each can keep reaching people, one life at a time. I don't know about you, but that makes me want to stop striving, stop trying to convince--not with my family or those opposing what I believe. What guidelines replace my striving? I like to use John 12:32. Jesus said," 'If I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.' " I believe He's saying to you and me, "You do the lifting, I will do the drawing." Some day, everyone will know. Until then, some will. How many depends on how many of God's people get busy lifting. We lift, and we leave the drawing to Him. ]]> http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/061008/ http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/061008/ Blog Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:34:02 -0500 The Situation Room is a 5,000-square-foot conference room and intelligence management center in the basement of the West Wing of the White House. It is run by the National Security Council staff for the use of the President of the United States and his advisers (including Homeland Security and the White House Chief of Staff) to monitor and deal with crises at home and abroad and to conduct secure communications with outside (often overseas) persons. The Situation Room is equipped with secure, advanced communications equipment for the President to maintain command and control of U.S. forces around the world. Since August 8, 2005, the Situation Room is also an early evening newscast on CNN hosted by Wolf Blitzer. It assembles top CNN correspondents, analysts, contributors, and guests for complete, up-to-the minute coverage of the day's events. Modeled on the concept of the White House Situation Room, the program combines traditional reporting methods with the newest innovative online resources and places the latest news and information at the viewers' fingertips. The dictionary defines "situation" as "the way in which something is positioned vis-à-vis its surroundings. The place in which something is situated in relation to something else." Its synonyms include: dilemma, predicament, problem, quandary, status, and circumstance. I heard this phrase the other day and thought about what the Situation Room might mean to us as Christians. During this election season, we have reason to be alarmed. Among other things, lIberalism threatens to fill supreme court vacancies, push for national gay marriage, and permit partial birth abortion. Meanwhile, conservatism and godly principles seem to be on the decline and Christians appear discouraged. The "situation" seems dismal at best. But what we have that neither the White House nor CNN can boast of is the ultimate Situation Room. Wherever we choose to make it, our Situaion Room is that place we go as a child of God to size up individual or corporate situations, look at them in relationship to Scripture, and then talk to God about them. It is there that real change happens, decisions are made, and verdicts are reversed. Sometimes situations in the Situation Room are good, and we offer praise. Other times such as now, situations are desperate and require Christians everywhere to desperately pray, respond, and get involved. I don't know about you, but I don't make as many trips to my Situation Room when things in my personal world or in the big world are going well. That makes this a blessed time. Because the more of us who make regular visits to our Situation Room, the more the situations change. It's our intelligence management center, and our Supreme Commander will maintain command and control of everything, everywhere around the world. It's a good reminder for all the persuaded. Let's not be discouraged or emasculated. Instead, let's take all our dilemmas, predicaments, problems, quandaries, status', and circumstances to God. Let's allow the Holy Spirit to direct our praying according to His will. Let's hear His direction about how we should get involved, how we can make a difference, and how we can impact others. That's the only way we're going to see the situations change. http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/060308/ http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/060308/ Blog Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:21:22 -0500 " 'O God, how long will the adversary reproach? Will the enemy blapheme Your name forever? Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? Take it out of Your bosom and destroy them" (Ps. 74:10-11). Why not? The next verse tells us: "For God is my King from old, working salvation in the midst of the earth" (Ps. 74:12). Though the country of Iraq will continue to be a big player in the last days, God loves the Iraqi people, and He is wooing them like everywhere else on earth to come to Him. Since the fall of Sadaam, millions of Arabic New Testaments and books have been sent to Iraq. Iraqis are turning to Christ in record numbers, especially the Kurds. More than 14 new evangelical churches have opened in Baghdad since the war. Hard times have brought thousands of Iraqis to Jesus. What is most outstanding is that in story after story, it wasn't other people's witness that brought them to Christ, but the appearance of Christ Himself to these individuals. Our Savior is making personal visits to these Iraqi people. God is working salvation in the midst of the earth--and that includes Iraq. It's sometimes easy as Christians to get swept up in public opinion. It's sometimes hard as Christians to keep our eyes on the goal--bringing people to Christ. For Iraq or any other country or group, try and look at them as individual men, women, boys and girls who need Jesus. Look at them as those for whom Jesus died just as much as He died for you and me. Look at them as those who God continues to strive with until the end. It's the way God sees things. We should see it that way, too. ]]> http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/051608_leaders_wanted/ http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/051608_leaders_wanted/ Blog Fri, 16 May 2008 18:11:52 -0500 Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful. May the fire of our devotion light their way. May the footprints that we leave Lead them to believe And the lives we live inspire them to obey. Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful. Thank you, Dottie Rambo, for being faithful. You helped to light my way and to leave footprints for me to follow. You also helped me to recommit to God's call on my life. No matter the pain or the setbacks or the disappointments, I want the fire of my devotion to light the way for others. I want all--everyone--who comes behind me to also find me faithful. After all, in the end, that's the only legacy that matters. ]]> http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/051308_the_real_rambo/ http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/051308_the_real_rambo/ Blog Mon, 12 May 2008 14:31:06 -0500 "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars of wars. . . there will be famines, pestilences and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. . . But he who endures to the end shall be saved." Somehow in God's economy, things are going according to plan. These events are evidence that time as we know it on earth is winding down. We can't do anything about that, but there's something we can do well--we can endure. "He who endures to the end shall be saved." "To endure" is the Greek word "hupomeno," and it means to "hold one's ground in conflict, bear up under adversity, hold out under stress, stand firm, persevere under pressure, and wait calmly and courageously." Enduring is not a passive patience or resignation to fate or the news of another earthquake. Hupomeno is an active, energetic resistance to defeat, even when it looks like we're not winning. Hypomeno allows calm and brave endurance even when the battle is long and the road is rough. Hupomeno permits confidence instead of despair, joy instead of sorrow, anticipation instead of dread. After all, "He who endures to the end shall be saved." And while we're enduring, we must be witnessing. We must help get as many people prepared for that soon-coming day. After all, none of us knows what tomorrow holds. But it's our job to remind people to be ready. And perhaps God will use the earthquakes to shake and awake more souls to making a salvation decision before it's too late. Keep busy. Keep encouraged. Keep enduring. That's what we've been called to do. ]]> http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/051208/ http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/051208/ Blog Mon, 12 May 2008 14:29:18 -0500 "The harvest truly is plentiful, but he laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." I believe that we should not only pray that laborers are sent, but that we should pray to become a faithful laborer to the harvest ourselves. The Great Commission was directed to us all in Matthew 28:19: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." The pope's visit has caused some controversy around providing sanctuary for illegal immigrants and priestly abuse. But his visit also highlighted the hunger in people all around us for spiritual things. You and I have the only true Light inside us, and Jesus charged us to use it to light a dark world. Keep your eyes open for those around you who need Jesus. Then go after them in your prayers and your actions and your words. Let them find in you the only thing that will truly satisfy. Jesus called it "living water" in John 4 to the woman whose face He saw. See their faces. Hear their words. Feed their hunger with the living water. That's what Jesus told us to do. Let's get busy doing it! ]]> http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/041608_feed_them_and_they_will/ http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/041608_feed_them_and_they_will/ Blog Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:57:12 -0500 Recently, I headed down to my prayer chair at 5:30 a.m. Living in Colorado Springs above 7,500 feet, I'm accustomed to having the sun shine some 300 days a year. It was apparent even early that morning, however, that this would not be one of those sunny days. As daylight broke, I could see heavy clouds surrounding me, obliterating the view of the mountains. I looked out my office window and grew overwhelmed at not only the greyness outside but also the heaviness in my heart. My brother is facing a life or death struggle, and an elderly man I know is about to go out into eternity while continuing to reject Christ. I spent time talking to God, but my prayer seemed to go no further than the shrouding clouds outside. I listened to worship music while I got busy with my day. But around noon, I once again looked out my office window, and I stopped to ponder what I saw. The clouds had lifted. Not all of them, but enough to remind me that the mountains were still there. Though patches of smokey haze still hung in the air and hid much of the terrain, I was able to see past it to what was really there. I pulled out my Bible and read Psalm 121:1: "I will lift up my eyes to the hills--from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." I will lift my eyes to what's behind the circumstances where I find the One who owns the cattle on "a thousand hills" (Ps. 50:10). It's a deliberate decision. An act of faith--despite how I feel or what I see or hear. Look at these words from Psalm 95:4-7: "In His hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; And his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before th Lord or Maker. For He is our God. And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand." You, too, might be going through hard stuff or may have received some bad news. Perhaps this reminder can also speak to you. No matter what your difficulty is, look to the hills. Instead of wallowing in despair, worship and bow down. Instead of concentrating on the clouds, look up. The problems might still be there, but so are the hills and the One who dwells in them. Fact is, we'll never be free from all troubles, but we'll also never escape God's care. And if we can make it a habit to intentionally look up, we will always find the help we need there. http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/041408/ http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/041408/ Blog Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:55:41 -0500 "Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man, which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness" (Eph. 4:21-24.) "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Cor. 5:16-16). "New" is the word hainos (pronounced kahee-noss). It means unused, fresh, novel. It means new in regard to form or quality, not in reference to time. It means we don't have to be captive to the same habits, responses, and ways of doing things that we did before we knew Christ. It means we have truly discovered the fountain of youth, called "the new man," which makes us continually transform to be more like Christ. And it means that our greatest purpose for taking care of the old man is so we can work on the new one and remain strong and viable enough to accomplish God's assignment for our life until the end. Live for 150 years? Nope, not interested. Don't have to. Not remotely tempted to put new tires on this old frame. 'Cause we have something better. We've got an eternity of 150 years to look forward to as a "new man", not a redressed old one. And for right now, our job is to "put on" that new man, the one who looks, acts, thinks, and responds like Christ in true righteousness and holiness. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." I'm up for that. What about you? ]]> http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/040208/ http://www.persuadedlife.com/content/040208/ Blog Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:19:39 -0500