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Spiritual Growth

Defending Your Faith When You Don’t Have All the Answers (Candid Ep. 168)

Dedicated to shining the light of Christ into the world of social media, special guest Tim Barnett—the TikTok apologist behind Red Pen Logic with Mr. B—joins Jonathan Youssef to discuss the power of the red pen to encourage critical thinking in a sphere inundated with bad ideas and how Christians can help people overcome obstacles to the Gospel. This interview is condensed and adapted from episode 168 of Candid Conversations with Jonathan Youssef. Listen today on your favorite podcast platform or online. Listen Now | Learn More About Candid "When [we] don’t know how to respond logically and rationally, that’s typically when we default to defensiveness." Jonathan: I want you to paint a picture of how prevalent and pervasive bad theology is within the social media sphere. Tim: I tell people TikTok is probably the most ungodly place on the internet. But it’s also the most popular social media website, so I responded to a couple videos on there, and to my surprise, some of those videos received millions of views. I think the main reason [the videos went viral] is because there aren’t a lot of thoughtful Christian responses on the platform. People know there’s something wrong with a tweet or video, but they aren’t equipped to put their finger on exactly what the problem is. With Red Pen Logic, we point that thing out [and try to] get you thinking. For example, there was a video that we responded to not long ago, and it was a woman who had deconstructed her faith, meaning she left her faith. There are many young people scrolling through their feeds who come across a video like this that causes them to question their faith. This video had half a million views of this girl recording five bits of church history that caused her to question her faith. What was amazing to me was they weren’t history at all. It actually caused me to feel the tragedy of this situation. She questioned and left her faith . . . for something that never happened. Jonathan: It’s frightening—and your heart goes out to that individual. You feel the pain of their being lost or misled or misunderstanding. And because you have a teacher’s heart, you want to instruct and correct them, and you think about the 500,000 people who are going to consume that. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Tim: I was raised in the church, but my faith was really shallow. It wasn’t until university where I met really smart people who weren’t Christians, and they started asking me, "Why are you a Christian?" And I said, "Well, because my parents are Christians." That’s not a good reason. So I went home, and I started looking into it. I found the popular atheists of the time, but I also found [apologists] like William Lane Craig, Greg Koukl, and others—and I started answering questions. I didn’t realize I was doing apologetics, but my friends followed up with many more questions, and I would say, "I don’t know. But let me find out." Jonathan: What brought you into the TikTok/YouTube environment? Tim: I had this idea in my mind to take the red pen out like I used to do when I was grading [as a teacher]. I would correct students’ work because I wanted them to see where there was a flaw in their thinking—not because I want to hurt their feelings. Teachers correct because they care. We fill the page with red ink because we want [our students] to do better and learn from their mistakes. And so I had this idea, "What if I did this for a tweet or Instagram post?" Then the pandemic hit, the world shut down, and I couldn’t travel to speak. That’s when we launched Red Pen Logic with Mr. B, and it’s just been amazing to see how it has grown. I sit in front of this camera, and I do my best to respond to some of the [most] viral videos on these platforms. My hope is that our video gets seen by all the people who watched that really bad video. Lies travel around the world [in a flash]. And it is always harder to get Truth out there, so I’m just grateful that God is using these videos to get Truth all over the world. Jonathan: What’s the format that you use [for your videos]? Tim: The very first one in the summer of 2019 [was a response to a] pro-choice tweet. It had 100,000 likes, and the logic was horrible. The problem was that the person failed biology. In fact, that’s what I told her. I gave her an F in biology. I started grading them, and I stopped doing that because I thought it was too aggressive. It’s about ideas, not individuals. Let’s just see what the idea is—does this criticism make sense? Does this argument hold up? When people don’t know how to respond logically and rationally, that’s typically when we default to defensiveness. I have found that when I understand and can spot the error, it’s less offensive. I can talk to people who scream in my face, who call me names, and [I’m calm] because I know that’s just an ad hominem [attacking a person instead of an idea], that’s just rhetoric [persuasive words with no substance]. I can isolate in my mind what the real challenge is. And when you’re trained to do that, it relieves you of defensiveness and aggression. Jonathan: What do you say to the person who feels like they are not equipped to do apologetics? Tim: I have two responses. First, the reason we make the videos is so you don’t have to necessarily get involved. I can be the middleman. So if you don’t want to post something controversial, you could share my video and have an arm’s-length approach. Second, I don’t necessarily need to get to the Gospel in every conversation. Now, that may sound strange to some people out there because the reason I do apologetics is to defend the Gospel. I actually think of apologetics as answering what I call gosptacles— obstacles to the Gospel. You don’t have to hit home runs. All you need to do is step up to the plate and put a stone in someone’s shoe. I find that takes the burden off my shoulders. If I’m in a conversation or I’m making a video, I can’t respond to everything. I’ve only got 2 minutes to respond to a 1-minute video. So I just want to put a stone in the listeners’ and the readers’ shoe and get them thinking, and maybe that leads them one more step towards Truth. And maybe they discover the Truth, the way, the life: Jesus. [At the same time,] I know people who have lost friends, and it had nothing to do with the offense of the Gospel. It had everything to do with the offense of the person. They were offensive in their approach. Jonathan: Which Peter tells us not to do, right? Tim: Isn’t that amazing that right after he says, "Give a reason for the hope that you have," he says how to do it—"with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15). Paul says the same: "Walk in wisdom towards outsiders, making the best use of your time." Then he says, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt so you will know how to answer each person" (Colossians 4:5-6). The Gospel is offensive enough for people; we don’t need to add offense to it. We need to speak with Truth, but also we want to make sure that we’re compassionate and understanding. We ought to make it hard for people to walk away from us because they can see the love that we have for them. Listen to the full episode of Candid Conversations with special guest Tim Barnett. LISTEN NOW

March 4, 2023

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Prayer and Praise

Exercise: God Wants to Meet You in Your Brokenness

Is there anything in your life today that has become a source of anxiety, discouragement, or deep pain? Are you struggling to trust that God will come through for you? Throughout Scripture, we see examples of ordinary people who bring their greatest longings and deepest heartaches before God. What great blessing could come from your own prayer of surrender? People like Jonah. Trapped in the belly of a whale after running away from God, Jonah cries out to the Lord—who later uses him to ignite a spiritual revival in Nineveh. People like Hannah. Unable to conceive a child, Hannah’s brokenness drives her to her knees in prayer—and out of her prayer of brokenness comes a son who will influence the course of history in a mighty way. What great blessing could come from your own prayer of surrender? Spend some extended time alone with God, and bring your burdens before Him. Here’s a great place to start: Thank Him for His love and faithfulness. Ask Him to overrule any sin, willfulness, or impatience from your past. Pray for Him to reach into the area of your life that has left you feeling weary, broken, or discouraged—and ask for His strength and redemption. Remember the Christian life is a battlefield. Those who succeed in the things of God are those who refuse to give up and persist in prayer. You can choose how the pain and disappointment of your past will impact your future. Take refuge in your prayer closet today, and draw near to your Heavenly Father. He hears your prayers, and He delights in answering them! How can we pray for you today? REQUEST

September 1, 2022

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Discerning Truth

Confronting False Teaching

Since that very moment in the Garden of Eden when a single bite shattered the harmony of the world, man has tried to make his own way, be his own master, and set up his own kingdom. It’s nothing new. Nevertheless, if we want to be faithful followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in this day and age, we must be alert and ready to boldly stand against the spirit of the age that seeks to (1) modify the message of Christ, (2) undermine His power to set us free from sin, (3) repaint Christ’s picture to make Him more acceptable to a wayward generation, and (4) rewrite the Gospel to remove the offense of the cross. For the last 2,000 years the church has been plagued with heresy after heresy seeking to tame the Gospel, and today is no different. Here are just a few of the popular beliefs in our current culture that threaten to infiltrate the church: If we want to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ, we must be ready to boldly stand against the spirit of the age. Universalism: the belief that all people will be saved or that all ways lead to God and eternal life. Many who subscribe to this theology claim that, for instance, Christians and Muslim worship the same God. The Prosperity Gospel: the belief that God’s primary concern is for believers to be healthy and wealthy. If Christians are sick, suffering, or poor, it is because of sin or a lack of faith. The New Age Movement: a belief system of Eastern influence that emphasizes universal tolerance and doing what feels good (moral relativism). It contends that man is divine and can create his own reality and identity. Legalism: the improper use of the law described in Scripture to try to attain or maintain salvation. Legalism also fosters judgment of fellow Christians for not adhering to one’s own ideas of holiness rather than encouraging them to imitate Christ, obeying God’s standards as explicitly outlined in Scripture. Hyper-grace: the over-reaction to legalism, resulting in abuse of God’s grace. Believers find themselves drawn to the modern hyper-grace movement because they are looking for freedom not just from legalism, but also from God’s standards. The Emerging Church: a movement that claims to be Christian but employs culturally sensitive methods to make the Gospel more palatable to a postmodern culture. Jesus’ life is treated more as an allegory or narrative rather than a true event. Of particular concern is the inclusive approach to various belief systems, an emphasis on emotions over absolute Truth, and the notion that there is no hell, judgment, or need for forgiveness. The Emerging Church movement also glorifies honesty and confession, but without repentance. Behind all these false ideologies is the belief that Scripture is not infallible and Truth simply changes with the times. A 2014 Gallup poll revealed that: 22% of Americans believe the Bible is the actual Word of God and should be taken literally 28% believe it is the actual Word of God, but with multiple possible interpretations 28% believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, but should not be taken literally 18% believe it is an ancient book of legends, history, and moral precepts written by man How do we respond to such false teachings as they arise within the church? We preach Christ. We reinforce Biblical doctrine, clinging to the highest authority—the Word of God. For "the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord" (2 Corinthians 4:4-5). We preach Christ who was promised by God back in Genesis. We preach Christ who was born of a virgin. We preach Christ who healed the sick, raised the dead, made the lame to walk, and set the captives free. We preach Christ who chose to die a criminal’s death on the cross in order to set us free from sin. We preach Christ who rose victoriously from the grave, never to die again, thus assuring everyone who places their trust in Him of eternal life with Him in heaven. We preach Christ who will come again to judge the living and the dead. So we can say: To the Universalists: No one will be saved apart from Jesus Christ. Only those who choose to repent and call on the name of Jesus will have eternal life (see Acts 4:12; Matthew 25:46; Hebrews 9:27; John 14:6). To heralds of the Prosperity Gospel: Jesus promised us that we will suffer, but that He is with us and has overcome the world (see John 16:33; Romans 5:3-5; 2 Timothy 3:12; Luke 14:27). To the New Agers: There is only one sovereign God, Creator of all things (see Isaiah 55:8-9; Job 12:10; Hebrews 2:5-10). To Legalists: If righteousness were attainable through the law, Christ would not have had to die (see Matthew 7:22-23; Galatians 2:21; Romans 3:10-12, 28; James 2:10). We are justified by faith in Jesus Christ’s singular work on the cross, and even this faith is a gift from God not achieved by our own efforts (see Romans 4:5; Ephesians 2:8). And we are not to judge our brothers and sisters in Christ on debatable issues (see Romans 14:1-12). To proponents of Hyper-grace: God’s grace has freed us from the bondage of sin, but we should not receive His sacrifice in vain (see Romans 6:23; Hebrews 10:26-29). We must repent and seek to live under the lordship of Christ, seeking holiness through the power of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Peter 1:13-16, 2:11-12, 16; Romans 5:20-6:18). To the Emerging Church: If we dilute the Gospel, then we no longer have Good News to share (see Galatians 1:8-9; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Exodus 20:3-6; John 8:24). Only Christ can break the chains of sin, set the captives free, and conform us to His image (see 1 John 5:3-5; Philippians 3:7-9; Galatians 5:16). Brothers and sisters in Christ, arm yourselves with the Word of God. Know your Bible and speak the Truth in love. In this way, may we remain faithful by the power of the Holy Spirit. If you liked this article, visit our Bible & Theology page for more. Bible and Theology

February 6, 2023

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Spiritual Growth

3 Questions to Ask as You Study God’s Word

This article is adapted from Dr. Michael Youssef’s teaching in Defending a Lion, Part 4. Watch or listen now to learn more. By Michael Youssef In a previous article, I share 7 pitfalls in Bible reading—from proof-texting to ignoring historical context—and how to avoid those deadly mistakes. But I also want to provide you with an effective and transformative means of approaching God’s Word. In order to appropriately read, heed, and obey the Word of God and maximize its impact in your life, there are three simple questions you must ask as you approach Scripture. The Bible is not merely words on paper. Those words have God’s power and authority. QUESTION #1 "What was the historical context of this passage to its original readers?" As we approach God’s Word we must consider, "What did this text communicate to its original audience?" The Bible was penned by dozens of individuals over a span of 1,600 years, and yet its message is incredibly consistent. The Old Testament says, "Jesus is coming." The New Testament says, "He’s here!" And yet, each passage has a specific historical context. In other words, it was written to specific people at a specific time—and these details provide valuable insight into the meaning of the text. For example, when we read the first five books of the Old Testament, which were written by Moses, we must remember that Moses was speaking to the Israelites, who for 400 years were consumed by idolatry in Egypt. They knew very little about Yahweh—only what they had heard through the oral tradition. Therefore, Moses was speaking to people who did not know who Yahweh was and hadn’t experienced His power. On the other hand, a thousand years later, we see God’s prophets Ezekiel and Jeremiah repeatedly say to God’s people, "Remember what God did!" At this point, the Israelites knew Yahweh, but they had turned their backs on Him. They had seen Him perform miracles before their eyes, and yet they wanted to worship Baal. Therefore, Ezekiel and Jeremiah are talking to a rebellious people as opposed to, in Moses’ time, an ignorant people. They were rejecting God’s instructions and commands. Consider the New Testament as well. The apostle Paul wrote to many churches in different cities—Philippi, Corinth, Thessalonica—and each letter addressed problems particular to the church receiving his letter. Paul was providing godly direction in very specific issues. Our faith is rooted in real events that happened to real people. Knowing these historical and cultural details will bring greater depth to your understanding of God and His Word. It will also protect you against faulty theology—much of which stems from a mishandling of Scripture in which verses are plucked from their original context. QUESTION #2 "What is the real meaning of this passage?" "What is the true meaning of this passage?" This is a crucial question to ask because many people approach the Bible with a mindset that says, "What do I want this to mean?" Make no mistake about it, the reason many people reject the Bible as the Word of God is because it runs contrary to human nature. The Bible is countercultural. While the world tells us to repay evil for evil, Jesus says, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27-28). While the world tells us to look out for number one, Jesus says, "[W]hoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it" (Matthew 16:25). The Gospel does not make sense to the world. That’s why people reject the Bible. That’s why even many preachers concede, "If it’s hard to accept, take what you like and leave out what you don’t." May this never be true of you and me. Instead of projecting our own desires onto God’s Word, let us seek to understand what God Himself is saying. To do this, we must first ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate our minds, for God loves to reveal Himself to us. Secondly, I recommend using a trusted Bible commentary. When you encounter a passage that is difficult to understand, read interpretations from faithful Bible scholars. Double-check what you’re reading. What is this passage saying about God’s character? What is it saying about you and me? How does it fit into the overarching narrative of Scripture? QUESTION #3 "How can I apply this message to my life, heeding this Truth in my home, my business, my relationships?" For many years, I have spent the first fruits of my day with the Lord and an open Bible in front me. As I open the Word of God and read it, the Holy Spirit begins to speak to my heart, saying, "Michael, this word is for you. This encouragement is for you. This rebuke is for you. This challenge is for you. This warning is for you." If we’re honest with ourselves, one of the primary reasons we avoid reading the Bible is because it acts as a mirror—it reveals our sins, our failures, and the things we don’t like about ourselves. It calls us to do things that are difficult. Hebrews 4:12 says, "[T]he word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." God’s Word judges us. We may not like it, but it’s for our good. Thankfully, the Bible is not only a mirror that reveals the true state of our hearts; it is also a shower that cleanses us. When you look in the mirror and see a spirit of resentment reflected back at you—go under the shower of God’s Word and allow Him to replace it with love. When you look in the mirror and see anger—go under the shower of God’s Word and allow Him to replace it with self-control. Remember this warning and instruction from God’s Word: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. (James 1:22-25) When you read, heed, and obey the Word of God, three things are going to happen. You’re going to find that it stretches you out on the surgeon’s table; you’re going to find that it operates on you, cutting out all the things that don’t belong; and you’re going to find that it brings complete healing and restoration to your soul. LET GOD DO HIS WORK In the early hours of the morning, when I have the Word of God in my hands, I pray ahead of time for the Spirit of God to open my eyes and help me to listen, whether it be for a rebuke or for encouragement. When hidden issues in my life are exposed before Him, when things I don’t want to deal with confront me head on, when I am laid bare before His eyes—I am forced to conclude that the only good thing about Michael Youssef is Jesus. My friend, the Bible is not merely words on paper. Those words have God’s power and authority. Those words are sharper than a surgeon’s scalpel. And that is why Satan will do everything he can to keep you away from it. The Bible says that in the last days there is going to be a famine—not for bread or water, but for the Word of God. And when I hear that only 18 percent of Christians read the Word of God regularly, I can tell you the famine has begun. It is the burden of my life for believers like you and me to be equipped for those days so that we may be ready for the spiritual battle. This article is adapted from Dr. Michael Youssef’s teaching in Defending a Lion, Part 4. Learn more in Dr. Youssef’s powerful sermon Defending a Lion, Part 4. WATCH NOWLISTEN NOW

February 9, 2023

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Tests and Trials

Are You Facing Trials? Don’t Panic.

We all respond differently to adversity in life. There are some, like the patriarch Joseph, who faithfully follow God through betrayal, enslavement, and prison—discovering God’s strength in the middle of their trials. There are others, like Joseph’s father Jacob, who have a different response. While Joseph was rising to power in Egypt, Jacob never got over the loss of his son. He was singing a different song, a song like the one many of us sing under affliction. Maybe you have sung it before: "No one loves me, this I know, for my trials tell me so. Misery’s where I belong, join me in my pity song." In times of fear . . . even the light at the end of the tunnel can seem like an oncoming train JACOB’S PLIGHT Jacob thought everything in the world was against him. His favorite son Joseph was lost to a wild animal (he was actually the second to the Pharaoh in Egypt). His second born Simeon was being held captive by a heartless Egyptian leader (he was actually being hosted by his brother Joseph). A severe famine was threatening his family and the only solution involved risking the life of his other favorite son Benjamin (a ruse developed by Joseph to test his older brothers). How did Jacob respond? He said, "You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!" (see Genesis 42:36). In other words, "Everything is against me. Nobody loves me, this I know, for my trials tell me so." Now let’s be honest. We can sympathize with Jacob. In times of discouragement and anguish, in times of fear and desperation, in times of anxiety and depression, it is easy to think that all hope is lost. Even the light at the end of a tunnel can seem like an oncoming train. But take heart. Some of the great and mighty men and women of God in the Bible have been there, and they overcame. You can overcome, too. ELISHA’S EXAMPLE In 2 Kings 6 we read an amazing account from the life of Elisha, who succeeded Elijah as the prophet of Israel. Elisha served at a time when the mighty Arameans, or Syrians, threatened to wipe out the people of God. The king of Syria could have defeated Israel in no time, except for one thing: God was revealing to Elisha the secret strategy of the enemy king. Every time the Syrians had a national security council meeting, God revealed the plan to Elisha, who relayed it to Israel’s king. Thus, the people of God foiled the Aramean plans repeatedly. This put Elisha on the Syrian king’s hit list. Then, one morning, Elisha’s servant left the house only to discover the massive Aramean army surrounding them. He ran back inside and told Elisha—now this is a Youssef translation—"We are dead in the water, boss. We are done for. We are finished!" But Elisha responded, "Don’t panic! Those who are with us are more than the ones against us" (see 2 Kings 6:16). I can imagine the servant looking at Elisha asking, "What are you talking about? Have you seen these guys? Have you seen their weapons? Have you seen their number?" At that moment, Elisha looked up to heaven and said, "Lord, open his eyes that he may see," and God opened the spiritual eyes of Elisha’s servant. All at once, he could see chariots of fire on the surrounding mountains. He became utterly overwhelmed by the power of God’s army. Then, Elisha prayed again, and God struck the Arameans with blindness. In this way, Elisha and his young servant delivered the enemy into the hands of Israel’s king. OUR CALLING My friend, what is frightening you the most today? What surrounds you and makes you feel defeated? Is it the temptations and entrapments of this world? Is it the weakness and wandering of your flesh? Is it the malicious hatred of the devil? We know each of these exist and pursue us at times. We know they oppose the faithful children of the living God. We know that. But don’t let that be the last word. It is time to stop believing that everything is against you, to stop singing, "Nobody loves me, this I know, for my trials tell me so." No. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to see the chariots of fire, to see the power of God, to see the mercy of God, to see the army that is at your side—for "the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). Jacob believed that everything was against him, but he didn’t see the whole picture. He didn’t know the Truth: Joseph was alive and well. Through him, God was working to rescue Jacob’s entire family. In the same way, when we look at our circumstances, when we focus on the attacks, when we see the adversity, we go the way of Jacob and Elisha’s servant—forgetting how powerful our God is. But when you allow God to open your eyes, you can answer the lies head on, declaring, "God is for me, and if He is for me, I pity the one who stands against me." Or, in the words of one simple song of faith, "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so." Are you going through a difficult time? In this sermon excerpt, Dr. Youssef offers the encouragement you need. WATCH NOW

July 2, 2022

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America

Be a Blessing to Your Nation: A Call to Unite for Revival

“Only God can bring awakening both to our nation and to the nations of the world.” Almost two and a half centuries ago, fifty-six good and decent men signed their declaration of dependence on the might of God: “[W]ith a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our fortunes and our sacred Honor.” These were not idle words. These fifty-six men knew that if they succeeded, it would mean many years of hardship and struggle. And they knew that if they failed, they would face the hangman’s noose as traitors. Though our nation’s history hasn’t been perfect, these brave souls and so many others throughout history sacrificed tremendously to give us a nation founded on freedom. But today, as morality is scorned, sin is glorified, and Truth is reviled, many are saying this is not the America envisioned by the Founding Fathers. Historians have described the decline of great civilizations: They go from bondage to faith, from faith to courage, from courage to liberty, from liberty to abundance, from abundance to selfishness, from selfishness to complacency, from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependence, and from dependence all the way back to bondage. I fear we are in the stage of apathy. But apathy should not define those of us who are Christ-followers. We should not stand with those who hate this nation and wish it harm. Nor should we give up hope like those who believe America has sinned too deeply for God to intervene. We must stand boldly and bless our nation. WE ARE COMMISSIONED We have a model for this posture in the book of Jeremiah. The Lord—after years of pleading with His people to turn from worshiping false gods, of warning them that compromise results in consequences—brought judgment on Israel through the king of Babylon. God allowed the most vicious nation on earth at that time to terrorize His own people and take them into captivity because of their refusal to turn to Him, the one true God. Then through Jeremiah, He commissioned His exiled people living in Babylon: “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:7). The Lord tells Israel to bless the land they live in. He’s telling these faithful people to be involved as good citizens. He calls them to be good stewards, even though they are in a foreign land, held captive and exiled. God told them to pray for the peace of Babylon. Like the Israelites, we Christians are also exiles waiting for the day when the Lord will bring us home. As we wait, we too are to seek the blessing of our earthly home. We are to pray for God’s mercy on America. We are not to wring our hands but fold them in prayer and get on our knees—ready to pay any price required to speak the Truth lovingly, carefully, and thoughtfully and lead men and women to Jesus. We are to pray for a genuine Holy Spirit awakening so that lost people and wayward believers may repent and return to the living God. THE HOPE OF REVIVAL We can seek the peace of America with hope. Our God is the God who loves to answer the prayers of His faith-filled people. He has done it in America before. On September 23, 1857, a layman from the Old Dutch North Church in the financial district of Manhattan invited people to join a lunchtime meeting to pray for America. The first meeting drew six people, a miniscule percentage of New York’s million residents. But the following week there were twenty. The week after, there were forty. So, they decided to start praying daily instead of weekly. By early 1858, there were 5,000 prayer groups meeting in neighboring churches, public halls, and adjacent buildings. This one layman’s desire to pray and bless his nation resulted in a revival. Ten thousand a week were coming to Christ in New York City alone. Church bells would ring at 8:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m., and people would show up and pray. The revival spread largely by changed lives, going up the Hudson River and down the Mohawk River, crossing the Appalachian Mountains and spreading into the West, and in one year more than 1 million people came to Christ. The revival crossed the Atlantic, touching Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and parts of England, even reaching south India. The effect of that revival was felt for forty years. This is why we pray for the peace of the city and of the nation. We pray urgently; we pray diligently; we pray intentionally. Because only God can transform hearts. Only God can heal political divisions. Only God can release captives from their chains. And only God can bring awakening both to our nation and to the nations of the world. So today, let’s pray for America.

June 30, 2021

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Spiritual Growth

Defending Your Faith When You Don’t Have All the Answers (Candid Ep. 168)

Dedicated to shining the light of Christ into the world of social media, special guest Tim Barnett—the TikTok apologist behind Red Pen Logic with Mr. B—joins Jonathan Youssef to discuss the power of the red pen to encourage critical thinking in a sphere inundated with bad ideas and how Christians can help people overcome obstacles to the Gospel. This interview is condensed and adapted from episode 168 of Candid Conversations with Jonathan Youssef. Listen today on your favorite podcast platform or online. Listen Now | Learn More About Candid "When [we] don’t know how to respond logically and rationally, that’s typically when we default to defensiveness." Jonathan: I want you to paint a picture of how prevalent and pervasive bad theology is within the social media sphere. Tim: I tell people TikTok is probably the most ungodly place on the internet. But it’s also the most popular social media website, so I responded to a couple videos on there, and to my surprise, some of those videos received millions of views. I think the main reason [the videos went viral] is because there aren’t a lot of thoughtful Christian responses on the platform. People know there’s something wrong with a tweet or video, but they aren’t equipped to put their finger on exactly what the problem is. With Red Pen Logic, we point that thing out [and try to] get you thinking. For example, there was a video that we responded to not long ago, and it was a woman who had deconstructed her faith, meaning she left her faith. There are many young people scrolling through their feeds who come across a video like this that causes them to question their faith. This video had half a million views of this girl recording five bits of church history that caused her to question her faith. What was amazing to me was they weren’t history at all. It actually caused me to feel the tragedy of this situation. She questioned and left her faith . . . for something that never happened. Jonathan: It’s frightening—and your heart goes out to that individual. You feel the pain of their being lost or misled or misunderstanding. And because you have a teacher’s heart, you want to instruct and correct them, and you think about the 500,000 people who are going to consume that. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Tim: I was raised in the church, but my faith was really shallow. It wasn’t until university where I met really smart people who weren’t Christians, and they started asking me, "Why are you a Christian?" And I said, "Well, because my parents are Christians." That’s not a good reason. So I went home, and I started looking into it. I found the popular atheists of the time, but I also found [apologists] like William Lane Craig, Greg Koukl, and others—and I started answering questions. I didn’t realize I was doing apologetics, but my friends followed up with many more questions, and I would say, "I don’t know. But let me find out." Jonathan: What brought you into the TikTok/YouTube environment? Tim: I had this idea in my mind to take the red pen out like I used to do when I was grading [as a teacher]. I would correct students’ work because I wanted them to see where there was a flaw in their thinking—not because I want to hurt their feelings. Teachers correct because they care. We fill the page with red ink because we want [our students] to do better and learn from their mistakes. And so I had this idea, "What if I did this for a tweet or Instagram post?" Then the pandemic hit, the world shut down, and I couldn’t travel to speak. That’s when we launched Red Pen Logic with Mr. B, and it’s just been amazing to see how it has grown. I sit in front of this camera, and I do my best to respond to some of the [most] viral videos on these platforms. My hope is that our video gets seen by all the people who watched that really bad video. Lies travel around the world [in a flash]. And it is always harder to get Truth out there, so I’m just grateful that God is using these videos to get Truth all over the world. Jonathan: What’s the format that you use [for your videos]? Tim: The very first one in the summer of 2019 [was a response to a] pro-choice tweet. It had 100,000 likes, and the logic was horrible. The problem was that the person failed biology. In fact, that’s what I told her. I gave her an F in biology. I started grading them, and I stopped doing that because I thought it was too aggressive. It’s about ideas, not individuals. Let’s just see what the idea is—does this criticism make sense? Does this argument hold up? When people don’t know how to respond logically and rationally, that’s typically when we default to defensiveness. I have found that when I understand and can spot the error, it’s less offensive. I can talk to people who scream in my face, who call me names, and [I’m calm] because I know that’s just an ad hominem [attacking a person instead of an idea], that’s just rhetoric [persuasive words with no substance]. I can isolate in my mind what the real challenge is. And when you’re trained to do that, it relieves you of defensiveness and aggression. Jonathan: What do you say to the person who feels like they are not equipped to do apologetics? Tim: I have two responses. First, the reason we make the videos is so you don’t have to necessarily get involved. I can be the middleman. So if you don’t want to post something controversial, you could share my video and have an arm’s-length approach. Second, I don’t necessarily need to get to the Gospel in every conversation. Now, that may sound strange to some people out there because the reason I do apologetics is to defend the Gospel. I actually think of apologetics as answering what I call gosptacles— obstacles to the Gospel. You don’t have to hit home runs. All you need to do is step up to the plate and put a stone in someone’s shoe. I find that takes the burden off my shoulders. If I’m in a conversation or I’m making a video, I can’t respond to everything. I’ve only got 2 minutes to respond to a 1-minute video. So I just want to put a stone in the listeners’ and the readers’ shoe and get them thinking, and maybe that leads them one more step towards Truth. And maybe they discover the Truth, the way, the life: Jesus. [At the same time,] I know people who have lost friends, and it had nothing to do with the offense of the Gospel. It had everything to do with the offense of the person. They were offensive in their approach. Jonathan: Which Peter tells us not to do, right? Tim: Isn’t that amazing that right after he says, "Give a reason for the hope that you have," he says how to do it—"with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15). Paul says the same: "Walk in wisdom towards outsiders, making the best use of your time." Then he says, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt so you will know how to answer each person" (Colossians 4:5-6). The Gospel is offensive enough for people; we don’t need to add offense to it. We need to speak with Truth, but also we want to make sure that we’re compassionate and understanding. We ought to make it hard for people to walk away from us because they can see the love that we have for them. Listen to the full episode of Candid Conversations with special guest Tim Barnett. LISTEN NOW

March 4, 2023

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Prayer and Praise

Exercise: God Wants to Meet You in Your Brokenness

Is there anything in your life today that has become a source of anxiety, discouragement, or deep pain? Are you struggling to trust that God will come through for you? Throughout Scripture, we see examples of ordinary people who bring their greatest longings and deepest heartaches before God. What great blessing could come from your own prayer of surrender? People like Jonah. Trapped in the belly of a whale after running away from God, Jonah cries out to the Lord—who later uses him to ignite a spiritual revival in Nineveh. People like Hannah. Unable to conceive a child, Hannah’s brokenness drives her to her knees in prayer—and out of her prayer of brokenness comes a son who will influence the course of history in a mighty way. What great blessing could come from your own prayer of surrender? Spend some extended time alone with God, and bring your burdens before Him. Here’s a great place to start: Thank Him for His love and faithfulness. Ask Him to overrule any sin, willfulness, or impatience from your past. Pray for Him to reach into the area of your life that has left you feeling weary, broken, or discouraged—and ask for His strength and redemption. Remember the Christian life is a battlefield. Those who succeed in the things of God are those who refuse to give up and persist in prayer. You can choose how the pain and disappointment of your past will impact your future. Take refuge in your prayer closet today, and draw near to your Heavenly Father. He hears your prayers, and He delights in answering them! How can we pray for you today? REQUEST

September 1, 2022

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Discerning Truth

Confronting False Teaching

Since that very moment in the Garden of Eden when a single bite shattered the harmony of the world, man has tried to make his own way, be his own master, and set up his own kingdom. It’s nothing new. Nevertheless, if we want to be faithful followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in this day and age, we must be alert and ready to boldly stand against the spirit of the age that seeks to (1) modify the message of Christ, (2) undermine His power to set us free from sin, (3) repaint Christ’s picture to make Him more acceptable to a wayward generation, and (4) rewrite the Gospel to remove the offense of the cross. For the last 2,000 years the church has been plagued with heresy after heresy seeking to tame the Gospel, and today is no different. Here are just a few of the popular beliefs in our current culture that threaten to infiltrate the church: If we want to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ, we must be ready to boldly stand against the spirit of the age. Universalism: the belief that all people will be saved or that all ways lead to God and eternal life. Many who subscribe to this theology claim that, for instance, Christians and Muslim worship the same God. The Prosperity Gospel: the belief that God’s primary concern is for believers to be healthy and wealthy. If Christians are sick, suffering, or poor, it is because of sin or a lack of faith. The New Age Movement: a belief system of Eastern influence that emphasizes universal tolerance and doing what feels good (moral relativism). It contends that man is divine and can create his own reality and identity. Legalism: the improper use of the law described in Scripture to try to attain or maintain salvation. Legalism also fosters judgment of fellow Christians for not adhering to one’s own ideas of holiness rather than encouraging them to imitate Christ, obeying God’s standards as explicitly outlined in Scripture. Hyper-grace: the over-reaction to legalism, resulting in abuse of God’s grace. Believers find themselves drawn to the modern hyper-grace movement because they are looking for freedom not just from legalism, but also from God’s standards. The Emerging Church: a movement that claims to be Christian but employs culturally sensitive methods to make the Gospel more palatable to a postmodern culture. Jesus’ life is treated more as an allegory or narrative rather than a true event. Of particular concern is the inclusive approach to various belief systems, an emphasis on emotions over absolute Truth, and the notion that there is no hell, judgment, or need for forgiveness. The Emerging Church movement also glorifies honesty and confession, but without repentance. Behind all these false ideologies is the belief that Scripture is not infallible and Truth simply changes with the times. A 2014 Gallup poll revealed that: 22% of Americans believe the Bible is the actual Word of God and should be taken literally 28% believe it is the actual Word of God, but with multiple possible interpretations 28% believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, but should not be taken literally 18% believe it is an ancient book of legends, history, and moral precepts written by man How do we respond to such false teachings as they arise within the church? We preach Christ. We reinforce Biblical doctrine, clinging to the highest authority—the Word of God. For "the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord" (2 Corinthians 4:4-5). We preach Christ who was promised by God back in Genesis. We preach Christ who was born of a virgin. We preach Christ who healed the sick, raised the dead, made the lame to walk, and set the captives free. We preach Christ who chose to die a criminal’s death on the cross in order to set us free from sin. We preach Christ who rose victoriously from the grave, never to die again, thus assuring everyone who places their trust in Him of eternal life with Him in heaven. We preach Christ who will come again to judge the living and the dead. So we can say: To the Universalists: No one will be saved apart from Jesus Christ. Only those who choose to repent and call on the name of Jesus will have eternal life (see Acts 4:12; Matthew 25:46; Hebrews 9:27; John 14:6). To heralds of the Prosperity Gospel: Jesus promised us that we will suffer, but that He is with us and has overcome the world (see John 16:33; Romans 5:3-5; 2 Timothy 3:12; Luke 14:27). To the New Agers: There is only one sovereign God, Creator of all things (see Isaiah 55:8-9; Job 12:10; Hebrews 2:5-10). To Legalists: If righteousness were attainable through the law, Christ would not have had to die (see Matthew 7:22-23; Galatians 2:21; Romans 3:10-12, 28; James 2:10). We are justified by faith in Jesus Christ’s singular work on the cross, and even this faith is a gift from God not achieved by our own efforts (see Romans 4:5; Ephesians 2:8). And we are not to judge our brothers and sisters in Christ on debatable issues (see Romans 14:1-12). To proponents of Hyper-grace: God’s grace has freed us from the bondage of sin, but we should not receive His sacrifice in vain (see Romans 6:23; Hebrews 10:26-29). We must repent and seek to live under the lordship of Christ, seeking holiness through the power of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Peter 1:13-16, 2:11-12, 16; Romans 5:20-6:18). To the Emerging Church: If we dilute the Gospel, then we no longer have Good News to share (see Galatians 1:8-9; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Exodus 20:3-6; John 8:24). Only Christ can break the chains of sin, set the captives free, and conform us to His image (see 1 John 5:3-5; Philippians 3:7-9; Galatians 5:16). Brothers and sisters in Christ, arm yourselves with the Word of God. Know your Bible and speak the Truth in love. In this way, may we remain faithful by the power of the Holy Spirit. If you liked this article, visit our Bible & Theology page for more. Bible and Theology

February 6, 2023

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Spiritual Growth

3 Questions to Ask as You Study God’s Word

This article is adapted from Dr. Michael Youssef’s teaching in Defending a Lion, Part 4. Watch or listen now to learn more. By Michael Youssef In a previous article, I share 7 pitfalls in Bible reading—from proof-texting to ignoring historical context—and how to avoid those deadly mistakes. But I also want to provide you with an effective and transformative means of approaching God’s Word. In order to appropriately read, heed, and obey the Word of God and maximize its impact in your life, there are three simple questions you must ask as you approach Scripture. The Bible is not merely words on paper. Those words have God’s power and authority. QUESTION #1 "What was the historical context of this passage to its original readers?" As we approach God’s Word we must consider, "What did this text communicate to its original audience?" The Bible was penned by dozens of individuals over a span of 1,600 years, and yet its message is incredibly consistent. The Old Testament says, "Jesus is coming." The New Testament says, "He’s here!" And yet, each passage has a specific historical context. In other words, it was written to specific people at a specific time—and these details provide valuable insight into the meaning of the text. For example, when we read the first five books of the Old Testament, which were written by Moses, we must remember that Moses was speaking to the Israelites, who for 400 years were consumed by idolatry in Egypt. They knew very little about Yahweh—only what they had heard through the oral tradition. Therefore, Moses was speaking to people who did not know who Yahweh was and hadn’t experienced His power. On the other hand, a thousand years later, we see God’s prophets Ezekiel and Jeremiah repeatedly say to God’s people, "Remember what God did!" At this point, the Israelites knew Yahweh, but they had turned their backs on Him. They had seen Him perform miracles before their eyes, and yet they wanted to worship Baal. Therefore, Ezekiel and Jeremiah are talking to a rebellious people as opposed to, in Moses’ time, an ignorant people. They were rejecting God’s instructions and commands. Consider the New Testament as well. The apostle Paul wrote to many churches in different cities—Philippi, Corinth, Thessalonica—and each letter addressed problems particular to the church receiving his letter. Paul was providing godly direction in very specific issues. Our faith is rooted in real events that happened to real people. Knowing these historical and cultural details will bring greater depth to your understanding of God and His Word. It will also protect you against faulty theology—much of which stems from a mishandling of Scripture in which verses are plucked from their original context. QUESTION #2 "What is the real meaning of this passage?" "What is the true meaning of this passage?" This is a crucial question to ask because many people approach the Bible with a mindset that says, "What do I want this to mean?" Make no mistake about it, the reason many people reject the Bible as the Word of God is because it runs contrary to human nature. The Bible is countercultural. While the world tells us to repay evil for evil, Jesus says, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27-28). While the world tells us to look out for number one, Jesus says, "[W]hoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it" (Matthew 16:25). The Gospel does not make sense to the world. That’s why people reject the Bible. That’s why even many preachers concede, "If it’s hard to accept, take what you like and leave out what you don’t." May this never be true of you and me. Instead of projecting our own desires onto God’s Word, let us seek to understand what God Himself is saying. To do this, we must first ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate our minds, for God loves to reveal Himself to us. Secondly, I recommend using a trusted Bible commentary. When you encounter a passage that is difficult to understand, read interpretations from faithful Bible scholars. Double-check what you’re reading. What is this passage saying about God’s character? What is it saying about you and me? How does it fit into the overarching narrative of Scripture? QUESTION #3 "How can I apply this message to my life, heeding this Truth in my home, my business, my relationships?" For many years, I have spent the first fruits of my day with the Lord and an open Bible in front me. As I open the Word of God and read it, the Holy Spirit begins to speak to my heart, saying, "Michael, this word is for you. This encouragement is for you. This rebuke is for you. This challenge is for you. This warning is for you." If we’re honest with ourselves, one of the primary reasons we avoid reading the Bible is because it acts as a mirror—it reveals our sins, our failures, and the things we don’t like about ourselves. It calls us to do things that are difficult. Hebrews 4:12 says, "[T]he word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." God’s Word judges us. We may not like it, but it’s for our good. Thankfully, the Bible is not only a mirror that reveals the true state of our hearts; it is also a shower that cleanses us. When you look in the mirror and see a spirit of resentment reflected back at you—go under the shower of God’s Word and allow Him to replace it with love. When you look in the mirror and see anger—go under the shower of God’s Word and allow Him to replace it with self-control. Remember this warning and instruction from God’s Word: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. (James 1:22-25) When you read, heed, and obey the Word of God, three things are going to happen. You’re going to find that it stretches you out on the surgeon’s table; you’re going to find that it operates on you, cutting out all the things that don’t belong; and you’re going to find that it brings complete healing and restoration to your soul. LET GOD DO HIS WORK In the early hours of the morning, when I have the Word of God in my hands, I pray ahead of time for the Spirit of God to open my eyes and help me to listen, whether it be for a rebuke or for encouragement. When hidden issues in my life are exposed before Him, when things I don’t want to deal with confront me head on, when I am laid bare before His eyes—I am forced to conclude that the only good thing about Michael Youssef is Jesus. My friend, the Bible is not merely words on paper. Those words have God’s power and authority. Those words are sharper than a surgeon’s scalpel. And that is why Satan will do everything he can to keep you away from it. The Bible says that in the last days there is going to be a famine—not for bread or water, but for the Word of God. And when I hear that only 18 percent of Christians read the Word of God regularly, I can tell you the famine has begun. It is the burden of my life for believers like you and me to be equipped for those days so that we may be ready for the spiritual battle. This article is adapted from Dr. Michael Youssef’s teaching in Defending a Lion, Part 4. Learn more in Dr. Youssef’s powerful sermon Defending a Lion, Part 4. WATCH NOWLISTEN NOW

February 9, 2023

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Tests and Trials

Are You Facing Trials? Don’t Panic.

We all respond differently to adversity in life. There are some, like the patriarch Joseph, who faithfully follow God through betrayal, enslavement, and prison—discovering God’s strength in the middle of their trials. There are others, like Joseph’s father Jacob, who have a different response. While Joseph was rising to power in Egypt, Jacob never got over the loss of his son. He was singing a different song, a song like the one many of us sing under affliction. Maybe you have sung it before: "No one loves me, this I know, for my trials tell me so. Misery’s where I belong, join me in my pity song." In times of fear . . . even the light at the end of the tunnel can seem like an oncoming train JACOB’S PLIGHT Jacob thought everything in the world was against him. His favorite son Joseph was lost to a wild animal (he was actually the second to the Pharaoh in Egypt). His second born Simeon was being held captive by a heartless Egyptian leader (he was actually being hosted by his brother Joseph). A severe famine was threatening his family and the only solution involved risking the life of his other favorite son Benjamin (a ruse developed by Joseph to test his older brothers). How did Jacob respond? He said, "You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!" (see Genesis 42:36). In other words, "Everything is against me. Nobody loves me, this I know, for my trials tell me so." Now let’s be honest. We can sympathize with Jacob. In times of discouragement and anguish, in times of fear and desperation, in times of anxiety and depression, it is easy to think that all hope is lost. Even the light at the end of a tunnel can seem like an oncoming train. But take heart. Some of the great and mighty men and women of God in the Bible have been there, and they overcame. You can overcome, too. ELISHA’S EXAMPLE In 2 Kings 6 we read an amazing account from the life of Elisha, who succeeded Elijah as the prophet of Israel. Elisha served at a time when the mighty Arameans, or Syrians, threatened to wipe out the people of God. The king of Syria could have defeated Israel in no time, except for one thing: God was revealing to Elisha the secret strategy of the enemy king. Every time the Syrians had a national security council meeting, God revealed the plan to Elisha, who relayed it to Israel’s king. Thus, the people of God foiled the Aramean plans repeatedly. This put Elisha on the Syrian king’s hit list. Then, one morning, Elisha’s servant left the house only to discover the massive Aramean army surrounding them. He ran back inside and told Elisha—now this is a Youssef translation—"We are dead in the water, boss. We are done for. We are finished!" But Elisha responded, "Don’t panic! Those who are with us are more than the ones against us" (see 2 Kings 6:16). I can imagine the servant looking at Elisha asking, "What are you talking about? Have you seen these guys? Have you seen their weapons? Have you seen their number?" At that moment, Elisha looked up to heaven and said, "Lord, open his eyes that he may see," and God opened the spiritual eyes of Elisha’s servant. All at once, he could see chariots of fire on the surrounding mountains. He became utterly overwhelmed by the power of God’s army. Then, Elisha prayed again, and God struck the Arameans with blindness. In this way, Elisha and his young servant delivered the enemy into the hands of Israel’s king. OUR CALLING My friend, what is frightening you the most today? What surrounds you and makes you feel defeated? Is it the temptations and entrapments of this world? Is it the weakness and wandering of your flesh? Is it the malicious hatred of the devil? We know each of these exist and pursue us at times. We know they oppose the faithful children of the living God. We know that. But don’t let that be the last word. It is time to stop believing that everything is against you, to stop singing, "Nobody loves me, this I know, for my trials tell me so." No. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to see the chariots of fire, to see the power of God, to see the mercy of God, to see the army that is at your side—for "the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). Jacob believed that everything was against him, but he didn’t see the whole picture. He didn’t know the Truth: Joseph was alive and well. Through him, God was working to rescue Jacob’s entire family. In the same way, when we look at our circumstances, when we focus on the attacks, when we see the adversity, we go the way of Jacob and Elisha’s servant—forgetting how powerful our God is. But when you allow God to open your eyes, you can answer the lies head on, declaring, "God is for me, and if He is for me, I pity the one who stands against me." Or, in the words of one simple song of faith, "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so." Are you going through a difficult time? In this sermon excerpt, Dr. Youssef offers the encouragement you need. WATCH NOW

July 2, 2022

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America

Be a Blessing to Your Nation: A Call to Unite for Revival

“Only God can bring awakening both to our nation and to the nations of the world.” Almost two and a half centuries ago, fifty-six good and decent men signed their declaration of dependence on the might of God: “[W]ith a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our fortunes and our sacred Honor.” These were not idle words. These fifty-six men knew that if they succeeded, it would mean many years of hardship and struggle. And they knew that if they failed, they would face the hangman’s noose as traitors. Though our nation’s history hasn’t been perfect, these brave souls and so many others throughout history sacrificed tremendously to give us a nation founded on freedom. But today, as morality is scorned, sin is glorified, and Truth is reviled, many are saying this is not the America envisioned by the Founding Fathers. Historians have described the decline of great civilizations: They go from bondage to faith, from faith to courage, from courage to liberty, from liberty to abundance, from abundance to selfishness, from selfishness to complacency, from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependence, and from dependence all the way back to bondage. I fear we are in the stage of apathy. But apathy should not define those of us who are Christ-followers. We should not stand with those who hate this nation and wish it harm. Nor should we give up hope like those who believe America has sinned too deeply for God to intervene. We must stand boldly and bless our nation. WE ARE COMMISSIONED We have a model for this posture in the book of Jeremiah. The Lord—after years of pleading with His people to turn from worshiping false gods, of warning them that compromise results in consequences—brought judgment on Israel through the king of Babylon. God allowed the most vicious nation on earth at that time to terrorize His own people and take them into captivity because of their refusal to turn to Him, the one true God. Then through Jeremiah, He commissioned His exiled people living in Babylon: “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:7). The Lord tells Israel to bless the land they live in. He’s telling these faithful people to be involved as good citizens. He calls them to be good stewards, even though they are in a foreign land, held captive and exiled. God told them to pray for the peace of Babylon. Like the Israelites, we Christians are also exiles waiting for the day when the Lord will bring us home. As we wait, we too are to seek the blessing of our earthly home. We are to pray for God’s mercy on America. We are not to wring our hands but fold them in prayer and get on our knees—ready to pay any price required to speak the Truth lovingly, carefully, and thoughtfully and lead men and women to Jesus. We are to pray for a genuine Holy Spirit awakening so that lost people and wayward believers may repent and return to the living God. THE HOPE OF REVIVAL We can seek the peace of America with hope. Our God is the God who loves to answer the prayers of His faith-filled people. He has done it in America before. On September 23, 1857, a layman from the Old Dutch North Church in the financial district of Manhattan invited people to join a lunchtime meeting to pray for America. The first meeting drew six people, a miniscule percentage of New York’s million residents. But the following week there were twenty. The week after, there were forty. So, they decided to start praying daily instead of weekly. By early 1858, there were 5,000 prayer groups meeting in neighboring churches, public halls, and adjacent buildings. This one layman’s desire to pray and bless his nation resulted in a revival. Ten thousand a week were coming to Christ in New York City alone. Church bells would ring at 8:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m., and people would show up and pray. The revival spread largely by changed lives, going up the Hudson River and down the Mohawk River, crossing the Appalachian Mountains and spreading into the West, and in one year more than 1 million people came to Christ. The revival crossed the Atlantic, touching Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and parts of England, even reaching south India. The effect of that revival was felt for forty years. This is why we pray for the peace of the city and of the nation. We pray urgently; we pray diligently; we pray intentionally. Because only God can transform hearts. Only God can heal political divisions. Only God can release captives from their chains. And only God can bring awakening both to our nation and to the nations of the world. So today, let’s pray for America.

June 30, 2021