Checking In
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2)
Blessed Sunday to you all. It has been just over three weeks since I last posted. I have attempted several times to sit down and type something out. As you can imagine, with all the blasphemy and wickedness coming out of the American president’s Truth Social account, I had a lot to say. But I never had time to put something together, and by now, I am sure you have read all the outcry from trump’s impersonating Jesus post, so I do not have to turn back to that. I mean, by now, if you still refuse to see the obvious signs that trump is the beast from Revelations 13:3, you might want to ask yourself who your heart truly belongs to. Every social media page I follow has been abundantly clear on who trump and his cronies have sworn allegiance to (hint, it is not Jesus).
So, instead today, I want to share something positive and uplifting that I stumbled upon while “doomscrolling” through Instagram. Here is a confession within itself: if I had been able to successfully cut out my social media addiction, I could probably have posted several times in the last three weeks. But I have, unfortunately, continued to run to social media to be my confirmation for everything I see and feel about the events unfolding in the world right now, which is the wrong place to turn. Instead, I should keep my knowledge rooted in the Bible to remain my plumbline and litmus test for the truth. But I have found something new, that is helping with both.
Last night, I came across a Bible Study App called “Ascend” and clicked on it. Ascend is very similar to Duolingo, building personal study plans structured around your desire to learn and the time available to devote to the platform. One reviewer had written that they were able to break free of social media scrolling thanks to the addictiveness of this study app/game. And so far, for my second day utilizing the app, I did replace my usual morning socials with ten minutes of study time, reading about Ezekiel’s calling as the Watchman, and being reminded that our role here on Earth is to preach the Good News and point out hypocrisy and evil. We, as Disciples, even Apostles, of the Christian Faith, are not responsible for turning a person’s heart. That responsibility lies on the individual. We, as Christians, cannot be silent, and must do our part to Disciple the people around us every chance we have.
While the world is burning around us, literally up here in Georgia and down in Florida, we need to stand firm as the Watchmen of the faith: preaching the Good News of the salvation found only in Jesus Christ and the opportunity this affords to everyone to turn from their evil ways, seek repentance, find the grace freely given to them, and be born new into their second life as they take up their positions on the watchtower.
This is something I need to return my focus on. I have quietly walked away from hosting my men’s Bible Study due to my busy schedule and the disappointment I held for these men, who even after studying the entire Gospel of Matthew, were still blind to the truth of Jesus’ preaching about how we are to treat one another. I did my part as the Watchman; they did their part to deny the truth. But, as I was reminded this morning, it is not my role to turn their hearts. That is their decision to make. As I have seen many times over the last three weeks: you can follow Jesus, or you can follow trump. At this point, it is abundantly clear that these two are completely different paths. You will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to MAGA.
With my men’s Bible study shuttered, I need to find new ways to reach others. I continue to try to host a Bible Study at my work office, but we have had a lot of people away throughout this month. One is currently in France on a mission’s trip. My amazing wife has pushed the importance of ministering to our children as the most important ministry (as I mentioned in my last post), so I will continue to keep what little spare time I have each week into speaking life into their young minds and hearts. I pray that you all invest your time into the next generation. It is time that we become a good Big Brother, and lookout for our younger siblings in the Christian faith, gently guiding them on the narrow path that truly aligns with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Lecrae joined an artist called EGR on a remix of EGR’s “Big Brother” which has been my favorite Christian Hip-Hop track of the year. It is a catchy, edgy, heavy lyrical masterpiece to remind us to be Watchmen, Big Brothers holding the younger generation responsible for their actions. You can watch the music video by clicking the link above or clicking the play button of the video below. Be blessed and get out there on the Watchtower.
Common Sense Reborn 