Satan pulled back the curtain of deception, “and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.” He whispered in his ear. He hissed into his soul. “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” he said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please.” (Luke 4:5-6)

I’m powerful. You can be powerful too.

They liked that. They swallowed the deception of the serpent. And the hoary tentacles of sin, with its coming millennia of destruction and grief, bringing death in its wake, infected the human race. Jesus had no such intention. Instead, he invoked the Torah:

“The scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” (Luke 4:8) God first, always, and only—not power.

Jesus is the “heir of all things.” The boundless realms of His Father’s universe are Christ’s by absolute authority. He is the sole proprietor of the vast creation of God, and He has permitted His believers to claim it with Him as joint heirs. Believers are the bride of Christ, and by virtue, the Lord has ratified His covenant of heirship with His chosen people.

Navigating politically charged times can often feel overwhelming and disheartening. Disagreements are rampant, tensions run high, and it seems like negativity is everywhere.

Christians have a source of encouragement and strength that transcends the surrounding chaos. Don’t lose relationships with your family and friends over politics. Don’t lose heart through discouragement when things don’t look like they are going in your desired direction.

Average Joe, a movie dramatizing Coach Joe Kennedy’s life story, will be in a theater near you TODAY October 11th! Show your support for Coach Joe by going to the movies on opening weekend!

The movie recounts Coach Joe’s story, beginning with his childhood in foster care followed by 20 years in the Marine Corps. The film focuses on his biggest battle: his commitment to stand for God publicly by taking a knee in prayer after each game. When he was fired for living out his faith, Joe and his wife, Denise, soon knew this battle for religious freedom and the rights of all Americans was one they would have to fight.

As I’ve traveled across the nation this year, I’ve had many opportunities to share about my work mobilizing Christians to engage in the political process. What continues to surprise me, however, is that many believers tell me they do not plan to vote because their vote “doesn’t matter.”

Some tell me, “I already know who is going to win in my state.” Others claim, “I don’t know any of the people on the ballot. I wouldn’t even know who to vote for.” Still others tell me that it doesn’t matter who gets elected, because the problems will still be the same.

Regardless of our opinions, it’s important to look at what God’s Word states about the importance of being involved in our communities.

God’s Word assures us of His love. We also know that His love toward us is immeasurable. Even so, as fallible humans, we often question His love. In the natural realm, when we question something, we reveal our uncertainties or reveal our fear of the unknown. However, when we question God and His ways, are we perhaps questioning His love for us? Our text tells us “we can know” we are loved because “He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.” His abiding presence demonstrates His love toward us that is so pure He is beyond question. 

First Liberty announced the launch of a television and digital ad blitz as part of a $2 million campaign to educate Americans on the dangers of current court “reform” proposals. The campaign includes a challenge for all candidates for office to make clear where they stand on court-packing and other proposed changes to the Supreme Court and the judiciary.

The wonder of being “born from above,” is a matter so mysterious that human words cannot describe it. 1 Corinthians 2:7, 8-10 tells us, “No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God— His plan (of Salvation) that was previously hidden, even though He made it for our ultimate glory before the world began.” That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But it was to us that God revealed these things by His Spirit.”

Throughout the stormy centuries, for the Christian Church, the tension has remained—to be in the world but not of it. Jesus knew this.

Jesus did not pray that you and I would somehow find a way to escape this world, with all its troubles and pain. He asked God to give us the wisdom and courage to live faithful to him in this world.

Being faithful in hard times isn’t easy. We must not let the world squeeze us into its mold. “Be not conformed,” Paul told the Christians living under brutal Roman reign. Instead, they must be transformed. How? Through the renewal of their minds. (Romans 12:1-2)

In Jesus’ day, the economy was mostly agrarian. Every daily activity revolved around and looked forward to a plentiful harvest. Bringing in the harvest was a big deal. Villages and regions prospered or suffered based on the measure of harvest. Even with this understanding, the disciples did not know completely what Jesus meant when He said, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into His fields.” Why? Because Jesus was talking about a spiritual harvest, which was a foreign concept to the religious Jewish culture. Jesus had to change their way of thinking (and ours) because every believer is called into the harvest field of suffering and unredeemed people—His lost sheep.

God chose the nation of Israel as His instrument for blessing all nations. God’s covenants with the nation of Israel are everlasting. He is restoring Israel in the last days as part of His greater plan of creation and redemption. Most theologians believe that God will fulfill all His promises to Israel and all His promises to the Church. (Romans 11) God wants us to seek peace among all people, and that would include praying for peace in Jerusalem, especially because of its special place in His heart.

Who doesn’t love a good party? He doesn’t.

See him? He’s the slouched solitary figure trudging across the open field. He’s been supervising field hands all day. He’s done and headed for home. He’s tired.

“And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.” (Luke 15: 25-26)

But there’s another essential reason to show up at the ballot box this fall: the U.S. Supreme Court.

Elections have consequences, the adage goes. And, in many ways, the Supreme Court is on the ballot. Why? Because right now the radical Left, politicians, and some of the most radical groups in the country, are engaged in a concerted, full-scale effort to stage a Supreme Court Coup.

Whether an election is to fill a seat on a local school board or the Oval Office, we keep seeing anti-religious-liberty candidates elected who then promote their anti-religious-liberty policies. They’re determined to steer America away from our constitutional heritage, while ushering in extreme agendas and ideology that are hostile to people of faith. How did they gain so much power? The answer is obvious: People of faith largely stayed home and didn’t bother to vote.

Tragically, only a fraction of Americans who say religious liberty is important to them actually vote in the major elections. People of faith need to see voting as not just a right, but also a responsibility.

How should Christians go about voting in the 2024 General Election?

To Jesus, obedience was a life principle. Obedience with Him did not mean a single act of obedience now and then, not even a series of acts, but the spirit of His whole life. “I came, not to do My own will.” “Lo, I come, to do Thy will, O God.” He had come into the world for one  purpose. Jesus only lived to carry out God’s will. The one supreme, all-controlling power of His life was obedience. In Christ this obedience was a joy. “I delight to do Thy will, O God.” 

This father never stopped looking. He never stopped loving. He held deep in his broken heart a quiet confidence that in time—if nothing had happened to him—his son would again walk through that gate at the end of the road.

“Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20) Surprised by joy, the dad engulfed his son in love. 

“My son.” Here is the climax of Jesus’ story. This is why we love it more than any other. It’s about us. We are God’s sons and daughters.

Christian young adults across the country see what’s happening today in our nation and feel many things - apathy, anxiety, fear. Many more see where our culture is heading and have a desire to make an impact, but don’t know where to start. Our nation is increasingly deviating from Biblical values and social conservative views are seen as “outdated.” What is our purpose in life? Are young people called to make a difference? How do we make an impact in our nation?

When should I vote?  With early and absentee voting soon to begin for the general election, faith-based voters are asking themselves, “Is it okay to vote early?”

“And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.” (Luke 15:14)