Gosh it has been a long time since I’ve posted anything. I apologize for the silence. I went into a bit of slump/depression over the summer and had to pray my way out of it. I am so glad to be back in the new monthly meetings and loving the changes. We had a lady by the name of Eva Dell Mitchell speak to us at our September meeting. If you missed it, she was absolutely amazing. Her story was so very raw, and yet so very powerful.
Last week our nation suffered a shocking loss that has unleashed so much emotion and conversation and news and my goodness the social media postings. We saw someone assassinated because of what he stood for – for what he believed, and that has created so much energy. For some it created fear for our country and our youth. For some it created anger. For some it created determination. It is alarming and scary because it could happen to any of us who dares to speak out for our beliefs – because most if not all of us here believe the way Charlie believed – and it is frightening to think that someone hates so much as to kill another person to stop the message he or she represents.
I saw people commenting on various medias about how they have never cried over the death of someone that they didn’t even know – and yet they cried over Charlie. What is it that made Charlie so well known? So loved? So supported?
Charlie was courageous. I believe he also had fears. I think he was too smart NOT to have them. BUT – he had a faith in a living God – and he felt called to act on that faith.
Many of us don’t know our exact calling. We say we don’t know what God wants us to do. Not to the degree that Charlie seemed to know.
What made Charlie able to stand in a crowd of people and have conversations that he knew would not always well received, accepted, or loved? What made him courageous?
Charlie was able to respond to God’s call because he KNEW God – He KNEW and trusted God with his life – with his life. With his life.
See – if I trust, then the response is – I will do whatever you need. I trust you completely. With everything that I am.
What is it about Abraham and Moses and Daniel and Joseph and Sarah and Esther and Rahab and Charlie that made them successful for God? They trusted. They simply had the faith to take God at His word and just trust. So much so that Abraham would eventually be willing to lay his long-awaited son on top of an altar and sacrifice him. (he didn’t sacrifice him but he was willing)
God did not tell Charlie – hey – go figure out what you are good at and check back with me later. He said – I am calling you to go __________. While he was in college studying something totally different, he stepped out in faith and started talking for God.
And some of us won’t even make minor adjustments to our lives to take a stand for God.
I had never heard of Charlie before last Wednesday. I KNOW!! BUT I have LOVED getting to know Charlie over the last week. I’ve gotten enough time with Charlie through his videos that I feel like I know who he is. That’s the cool thing about standing up for God – there are a lot of memories that can be shared even after he is gone. He left a legacy for his kids and so many others. And one of the things that I watched him talked about his take on the sabbath. And yeah – I know that means Saturday and most Christians have reappointed the Sunday to take the place because of the resurrection. It really isn’t the point which day of the week it is done – the point is – Charlie took one day out of his week and gave it to God. No work. Rest. No phones. Complete uninterrupted time with God and family. Nobody else gets my attention. Nothing else.
And how many of us Christians have allowed our Sundays to evolve into what the world has pressed us to allow? Minor adjustments to prove that we will make God first in our lives and follow HIS design for our lives. Instead we make excuses – “BUT GOD, I can’t because . .. . .. We just say – Welllll – shrug a little – it doesn’t really hurt anybody – right?
I watched Charlie’s stance on alcohol. Yes – there is consumption of alcohol in the Bible. Yes – there was drunkenness in the Bible. I do not take an issue with a person consuming an adult beverage. BUT – there is something to be said for people who choose otherwise. Charlie chose otherwise. He said – Donald Trump does not drink. Tucker Carlson does not drink. I do not drink alcohol – he said – it will set you back. He said that if you are pursuing greatness – alcohol can keep you from achieving greatness. He said that alcohol makes you sluggish the next day. He suggested to make other choices – I’m going to attend Bible study instead of going to a bar. I personally have SEEN it put people on path to do things that broke up families. And yet – the vast majority of Americans – Christians – drink alcohol. I get it. It’s in the Bible. BUT – are you willing to not do it? Are you willing to stand out because you want different? I’m not asking you to NOT do it – I’m asking you if you are WILLING to NOT do it.
See the difference?
What is it we loved about Charlie? Well we know what he stood for. There was no guessing. We admire his courage and his faith. We admire his success. We admire his following. We love his message. At least most of it.
We love that Charlie stood up and stood out. We love him because he is holy.
I’m going to say that again. We loved him because he was holy. God called him to be holy. and he responded.
God calls us to be holy – why? Because I am holy. Be Holy because I am holy. And let’s make sure we all understand – God isn’t saying be perfect because I am perfect. He knew that was not going to happen. He said be holy.
Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:16 – be holy because I am holy.
Being set apart for God means that we live a life for God to be holy in all we do, through the Holy Spirit. Be holy because God is holy. God has called you his own and set you apart and made you holy. 'You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.' (Leviticus 19:2)
He wants you to stand out – to stand up – to be willing to be different – for HIM. BECAUSE – HE is Holy – He stands out – He stands up – He is different. Yes – you have the right to live freely and to work on Sunday and to drink – but – are you willing to not?
We love Charlie because Charlie was willing to do and be something that we aren’t.
God says – I need you and our response should NOT be – for what? What do you need? It should be – Yes Lord – you can tell me now or later? But just point me in the right direction.
How far are you willing to be anything for God? I don’t even wanna stop shopping on Sunday, much less go debate mean people in front of thousands of others and risk being shot! Are you willing? I’m just asking you if you are willing to make adjustments in your life to stand apart for God. Because we have all been so proud of what so many people have spoken out after Charlie’s death. His wife – said to the evildoers – you don’t realize what you have started. What did he start? An awakening? A determination? A movement? To do what? Be holy because I am holy. to stand up for God. To stand apart for God. TO speak up for God.
Start with the bottom most need – are you willing. Because if you are not willing – then why are you even here? And if you aren’t willing – let’s talk more. Let’s find out what it is that you are battling. Of course, if you don’t even want to be willing then we may need a different kind of conversation.
Exodus 3:4 When the Lord saw that Moses was coming closer, he called to him from the middle of the bush and said, “Moses! Moses!” He answered, “Yes, here I am.” … 6 I am the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” …7 Then the Lord said, “I have seen how cruelly my people are being treated in Egypt; …. 8 and so I have come down to rescue them from the Egyptians and to bring them … to a spacious land, one which is rich and fertile … 10 Now I am sending you to the king of Egypt so that you can lead my people out of his country.” 11 But Moses said to God, “I am nobody. How can I go to the king and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”12 God answered, “I will be with you, and when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will worship me on this mountain. ….4:10 But Moses said, “No, Lord, don't send me. I have never been a good speaker, and I haven't become one since you began to speak to me. I am a poor speaker, slow and hesitant.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Who gives man his mouth? …It is I, the Lord. 12 Now, go! I will help you to speak, and I will tell you what to say.”
What is the message here? Moses was not excited to go on this mission from God. He sounded a lot like we sound when God asks us to do something. But GOD . . . I’m not . . . and God says – BUT I AM!
Deuteronomy 31:8
The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Isaiah 45:2
“I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars.
God’s presence was all around Charlie last Wednesday. God could have changed the outcome of Wednesday. So why didn’t He? Why would God allow this? These children to lose their daddy – this young wife to become a widow?
As big and as much as God was doing through Charlie – God’s plan is still perfect – and it is still very very in motion. God is still sovereign – and God can still use Charlie and Ericka and even those children. God will use Turning Point Usa.
We must trust God’s plan – even when we don’t understand it. What if this event is what God uses to bring a massive revival across our nation? Would Charlie have willingly laid down his life to be a part of that revial? Yeah, I believe he would have. He loved God that much.
How much do you love God? How big are you trusting Him with your life – maybe with your kids – maybe with your finances – your dreams – your pains? Because one of the things I think we love about Charlie – is his love for God – and God’s people. All of them. So much so that he risked it. All. Paid the price. Doing what God needed him to do.
God is telling you – I need you – and your response today – needs to be YES Lord. Whatever you would have me do. No matter what.
Start with the basic layer. Just be willing.
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