Every day last week I opened up the browser tab to write my weekly newsletter to you all. Then I sat and stared at it. I wanted to write, but all I could come up with was a torrent of angry words. Over the years of blogging I’ve learned that I don’t want to write when I’m angry and so every day I closed up the tab and didn’t write anything.
The past two weeks I’ve vacillated between righteous anger and an overwhelming sense of something akin to despair. I say akin to despair because as a Christian who believes in God’s goodness and God’s sovereignty, I have no personal reason to despair. But the evil that has clearly manifested itself in every part of the world right now including churches, government, schools, etc. reached a point where I found it overwhelming.
Overwhelming because I see sheep being led to slaughter. I see people completely unaware of what is going on around them. I hear people parroting words that are blatantly false, but they don’t know they are false because the truth is systematically and ruthlessly hidden from them. It is enough to drive someone who understands what is going on and sees it for what it is, completely mad. To see the lies spread everywhere. To see the truth censored and deleted.
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.Psalm 42:5 ESV
As I was struggling with what to do as the new week approached, someone shared this on Gab.
As you examine yourself before you go to bed, you do not just ask yourself if you have committed murder or adultery; or whether you have been guilty of this or that, and if you have not, thank God that all is well. No. You ask yourself rather, ‘Has God been supreme in my life today? Have I lived to the glory and the honor of God? Do I know Him better? Have I a zeal for His honor and glory? Has there been anything in me that has been unlike Christ–thoughts, imaginations, desires, impulses?’ That is the way. In other words, you examine yourself in the light of a living Person and not merely in terms of a mechanical code of rules and regulations.
Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
It was the reminder I needed yesterday of who I serve and who I answer to. Yes, I already knew it. But I had become so concerned about offending people, turning people off, etc. that I was afraid to speak the truth. I had become more concerned with “not giving people what they want” when they come here, that I wasn’t considering that God might call me to write hard words here sometimes. Righteous anger might be what God is asking me to write and, if so, I have to write it. I don’t just have to write it. I want to write it. I’m called to be faithful with this opportunity to write online.
We each live our lives to an audience of one. The only approval we need to seek is the approval of our Lord.
Have I lived my life today in a way that pleases Him? Have I shared the truth with those who need to hear it? Do I speak of my Lord?
When I go to bed at night, it doesn’t matter if anyone liked what I wrote. It only matters that I wrote what I believe God led me to write. It doesn’t matter if my subscriber numbers dwindle because people don’t want to hear difficult words. It only matters if the difficult words were true and life-giving.
I would rather write to my audience of One and share it with 20 others who are eagerly seeking the same Lord in all circumstances than cautiously write and pander to thousands. That has always been my view and I was reminded of it again during the events of the past few weeks.
So you, too, live your life to an audience of One. Your daily choices should be what pleases Him.
God doesn’t call us to be faithful in order to please man. He doesn’t call us to do, speak, and write that which will most soothe and please the masses who don’t want to think about the call of God on their lives. God calls us to be faithful to Him and His Word. We leave the results to Him. It is far better to be faithful with the widow’s mite and receive our reward in the life to come than anything else we could do.
As we continue through the climax of this Fourth Turning, the foundations of our culture will continue to be shaken. Every institution is being scrutinized and the evil is being dismantled from it. This includes the church.
One of the greatest gifts of the past two years has been the steady unmasking of all who are fake Christian leaders. We can see more clearly every day those who love God, follow Jesus, and love His sheep. The wolves and false teachers are being exposed every week and my soul rejoices that this is true. I have been speaking out about some of these charlatans for years and I rejoice that people are finally seeing them for who they truly are. They are a subversive enemy who follows man, not Jesus. They have purposefully infiltrated the church to lie, deceive, and destroy. I rejoice that their empires are crumbling and God’s children are seeing the truth.
Yes, it is overwhelming to see these stories day after day. I have a folder called “Add to forum” that is filled with links to share about the church, the coronavirus, government, etc. They have piled up because I have felt an overwhelming sense of grief over the lies and lives destroyed by these evil men and women who serve only their own interests and the interests of their true lord who is not Jesus Christ.
The folder is also filled with stories of the truth about everything going on around us in the country and the world. Honestly, one of the only things keeping me sane in the midst of all this (beyond my faith) is the ability to access the truth on platforms like Gab and Telegram. When I see examples of the important information that Facebook and Twitter shut down on a daily basis, it is appalling.
More than that, it’s evil. It’s calculated evil, designed to deny people access to vital information they have a right to know.
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.Psalm 42:11 ESV
God is on His throne. I ask Him to protect His sheep who are being led to slaughter. I ask Him to be gracious and defend those who are defenseless, partially due to the evil that makes them defenseless and partially because they have no idea how the enemies of their soul are arrayed against them.
If you’ve read this far, good for you. You understand. Now go live your life today for the audience of One. When you go to sleep tonight, reflect on whether or not you’ve lived your life for Him today. Did you speak for Him? Did you give to others in His name? Were you changed today because you walked in His light? Ask yourself these questions from Dr. Lloyd-Jones:
- Has God been supreme in my life today?
- Have I lived to the glory and the honor of God?
- Do I know Him better?
- Have I a zeal for His honor and glory?
If the answer is yes and continues to be yes, then you have done what God has asked. Give thanks and rest well.
Speak the Truth Boldly and Stop Apologizing
Sallie, this really spoke to my heart today. I, too, am feeling that despair that you describe. When I find myself immersed in it, I have to pull myself back in and focus my thoughts on the Lord. Hold every thought captive to Him.
The doctor’s end-of-day questions are worthy of memorizing and then questioning myself each evening.
-Lauren
Hi Lauren,
Thank you for letting me know. I’m glad it blessed you. It’s such a difficult time for so many and speaking publicly about it brings risks. Thank you for speaking up as well.
Sallie
Sallie, this really spoke to my heart today. I, too, am feeling that despair that you describe. When I find myself immersed in it, I have to pull myself back in and focus my thoughts on the Lord. Hold every thought captive to Him.
The doctor’s end-of-day questions are worthy of memorizing and then questioning myself each evening.
-Lauren
Hi Lauren,
Thank you for letting me know. I’m glad it blessed you. It’s such a difficult time for so many and speaking publicly about it brings risks. Thank you for speaking up as well.
Sallie
Hello Sallie;
As I prepared dinner (lunch) I thought about what you wrote today. My thoughts flow in so many directions and I’ll try to keep this short. I hope you understand what I’ll say.
Bless’ ed are the peace makers (I typed the pronunciation), for they shall inherit the earth. I think that you and I are peace makers.
I understand so much of this. Not only those that fight God, but those that “church/cult go” and related DNA wise; not forgiving when one repents before them for wrong done. Or trying to force and convince a person that they are going to hell because they don’t go to their church/cult. Pain that reaches to the soul! It’s rejection and it hurts!
Birdie
Hi Birdie,
Thank you for taking the time to comment. I like that you shared the idea that you and I are peacemakers. I hadn’t thought of it that way before, but I think you are right. Peace can only come from the truth. Sometimes the truth doesn’t look or feel peaceful, but only the truth can bring peace.
You’ve given me something new to think about tonight.
Sallie
Hello Sallie;
As I prepared dinner (lunch) I thought about what you wrote today. My thoughts flow in so many directions and I’ll try to keep this short. I hope you understand what I’ll say.
Bless’ ed are the peace makers (I typed the pronunciation), for they shall inherit the earth. I think that you and I are peace makers.
I understand so much of this. Not only those that fight God, but those that “church/cult go” and related DNA wise; not forgiving when one repents before them for wrong done. Or trying to force and convince a person that they are going to hell because they don’t go to their church/cult. Pain that reaches to the soul! It’s rejection and it hurts!
Birdie
Hi Birdie,
Thank you for taking the time to comment. I like that you shared the idea that you and I are peacemakers. I hadn’t thought of it that way before, but I think you are right. Peace can only come from the truth. Sometimes the truth doesn’t look or feel peaceful, but only the truth can bring peace.
You’ve given me something new to think about tonight.
Sallie
Thank you ,I haven’t been reading much lately anywhere , just go to Bible study and weed my garden , seems like I have been so overwhelmed over ..well…..everything.
Hi Karen,
You are very welcome. I think many people have been feeling very overwhelmed by everything. I think many have tuned it all out because it is overwhelming. We weren’t created to live with such constant information, stress, and drama.
I hope you find peace and joy in your garden and in God’s word.
Sallie
Thank you ,I haven’t been reading much lately anywhere , just go to Bible study and weed my garden , seems like I have been so overwhelmed over ..well…..everything.
Hi Karen,
You are very welcome. I think many people have been feeling very overwhelmed by everything. I think many have tuned it all out because it is overwhelming. We weren’t created to live with such constant information, stress, and drama.
I hope you find peace and joy in your garden and in God’s word.
Sallie
I have had to live by faith as never before in my life. It has been hard to trust by faith that the Lord will take care of me and knows the needs I have next. And asking for the peace I know He can give. I believe this will need to be true of every believer no matter what circumstances we are in or whatever direction this world will go. He is holding my hand and yours too.
Hi Kris,
Thank you for those encouraging words. The Lord is walking with each one of us, according to our needs. We need to keep our eyes focused on Him, the author and perfecter of our faith.
I hope you are doing well. I know you have been walking a hard road these recent months.
Sallie
I have had to live by faith as never before in my life. It has been hard to trust by faith that the Lord will take care of me and knows the needs I have next. And asking for the peace I know He can give. I believe this will need to be true of every believer no matter what circumstances we are in or whatever direction this world will go. He is holding my hand and yours too.
Hi Kris,
Thank you for those encouraging words. The Lord is walking with each one of us, according to our needs. We need to keep our eyes focused on Him, the author and perfecter of our faith.
I hope you are doing well. I know you have been walking a hard road these recent months.
Sallie
I really enjoyed this. There has been so much stress of late. My family and I had the current event illness in April. My second daughter and I came pretty close to a bad ending. I declared war on the media. Liars. Everyone of them and even though I have experience with this “current event”- I truly believe that taking my eyes off of my Heavenly Father and allowing myself to stress myself so badly was awful. Thank you for your blog. I need it. God is in Control. Not media. Not politics. I am tired of being scared to death. Not today satan. You are a dead man walking.
Hi Shana,
I’m glad you and your daughter are okay.
You are right. Satan is a dead man walking and he knows it. Fortunately we have a Savior who has defeated him and empowers us to walk in light and truth.
Sallie
I really enjoyed this. There has been so much stress of late. My family and I had the current event illness in April. My second daughter and I came pretty close to a bad ending. I declared war on the media. Liars. Everyone of them and even though I have experience with this “current event”- I truly believe that taking my eyes off of my Heavenly Father and allowing myself to stress myself so badly was awful. Thank you for your blog. I need it. God is in Control. Not media. Not politics. I am tired of being scared to death. Not today satan. You are a dead man walking.
Hi Shana,
I’m glad you and your daughter are okay.
You are right. Satan is a dead man walking and he knows it. Fortunately we have a Savior who has defeated him and empowers us to walk in light and truth.
Sallie
Thank you for writing this, Sallie. You are a faithful, truthful watcher on the wall. God is using you, and I am grateful for you.
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl,
Thank you for the encouraging words. A truthful watcher on the wall. I haven’t thought of myself with that imagery before, but I think it is true. I have a passion to help people know the truth. I’m not perfect, but I’m willing to be used by God.
Sallie
Thank you for writing this, Sallie. You are a faithful, truthful watcher on the wall. God is using you, and I am grateful for you.
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl,
Thank you for the encouraging words. A truthful watcher on the wall. I haven’t thought of myself with that imagery before, but I think it is true. I have a passion to help people know the truth. I’m not perfect, but I’m willing to be used by God.
Sallie