What are they now labeling you as? Progressives keep trying to marginalize us calling us Christian nationalists. They use those terms in a very negatives sense.

March 3rd is an important day to go vote with a biblical worldview.

Factoid: People go vote according to their right or wrong worldview.

Should a Christian be patriotic? 

I guess it depends on the real meaning of the word “patriotic.” 

With so many words, there are different nuances of meaning, and different people use one word in different ways. 

At its simplest meaning, being patriotic simply means “loving one’s country.” 

Sure, let's do that as long as that love for country does not supersede one’s love for God. Let's kept this in proper perspective -- there is nothing wrong with a real Christian being patriotic. However, another definition of “patriotic” implies that the individual should place the interests of the nation above his or her personal and group interests. 

Now carried to this extreme, patriotism can become a form of idolatry with some people, particularly if one’s love for his country is greater than their love for God and God’s plan of redeeming people from “every tribe, tongue and nation.” As far as a Christian’s responsibility towards government, the Apostle Paul speaks of this in Romans 13:1-7 in the Bible. 

Secular Liberal Progressives keep trying to put us believers down out there. It's who they are and what they do.

How do they keep doing that today? They attempt to stigmatize us to scare voters away from us Christians (and who stand with us), calling us Christian nationalists.

Listen, this is just another one of their stupid attacks against Christian conservatives. It is again wrong for them to call us “Christian nationalists” as if it is somehow evil for us to go vote biblically according to what we know to be biblically true. Somebody needs to call them out for being two-faced.

They always bring the fullness of their pleasure seeking, baby-(sacrificing)-killing and euthanizing false beliefs to the voting booths. Man, wouldn’t you say that Liberals, “Progressives” aka Democrats are such hypocrites? They want us to stay home on our blessed assurance and not vote as they go do that.

That "Christian nationalism" label they keep pinning us with is for the purpose of labeling. It’s used to marginalize Christians who go vote according to their sound biblical faith.

They fear what us believers all united can do to positively impact society as salt and light for Jesus Christ. Yes, they really don't want any of us voted into office anywhere.. who might take a courageous stand for our good Judeo-Christian policies that are moral and that protect other citizens. They never want us promote what's wholesome and moral according to the God of the Bible.

You can often hear it in the Legacy Fake News media. In recent days, some voices in our culture keep trying to hush us up. They keep tried to quiet or discredit faithful Christians by attaching the label “Christian nationalist.” That phrase is often spoken as though it should alarm the public, as if it automatically signals something extreme or dangerous. Yet many believers hear that charge not because they seek power, but simply because they vote and speak according to what they sincerely believe Scripture teaches about life, justice, marriage, and morality.

It is not wrong for Christians to bring their biblical convictions into the voting booth. Every citizen votes from a moral framework shaped by deeply held beliefs. The freedom that allows a secular voter to act on conscience equally protects the believer who desires to honor God in public life. Scripture reminds us that allegiance to God guides the conscience of His people. “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). At the same time, that obedience is never coercive or domineering, for “you, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love” (Galatians 5:13).

Christians historically have affirmed both the lordship of Christ and the legitimacy of civil government without confusing the two realms. Paul taught respect for governing authorities as ministers of order (Romans 13:1–7), while Jesus clearly said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). To vote according to biblical conviction is not an attempt to impose a theocracy. It is participation in a pluralistic society with integrity, just as others participate from their own philosophical or ideological commitments.

Much of the tension comes from the ambiguity of the phrase itself. Some use “Christian nationalism” to describe a genuinely unhealthy fusion of church and state that seeks to coerce faith or dominate society. That would indeed contradict Scripture, which never calls believers to rule by force or compel belief. Others, however, apply the term broadly to any Christian who allows faith to inform civic engagement. In that looser usage, the label becomes less a careful description and more a rhetorical device that marginalizes Christians who speak from biblical conviction, as though faith-based reasoning were inherently suspect while secular ideologies are assumed to be neutral. Yet no worldview is neutral. All moral reasoning rests on foundational beliefs about truth, human dignity, and the nature of good and evil.

Christians are called to influence society not by domination but by faithful presence. Jesus said His followers are “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13–16). Salt preserves and light illuminates. Both work quietly yet powerfully. The Christian calling is persuasion through truth, service through love, and witness through holy living. As John Stott wisely observed, “The influence of Christians in society should be like that of salt, invisible yet effective.” Such influence does not erase the distinction between church and state. Rather, it ensures that believers do not withdraw from the public square out of fear or confusion.

A gracious and steady response, then, is this. Christians are not seeking to replace the Constitution with the Bible. They are seeking to live honestly, allowing Scripture to shape how they think about justice, human dignity, and the common good. In a free republic, every citizen brings a worldview to the public square. Christians simply acknowledge openly that theirs is formed by the Word of God and by a desire to love their neighbors as themselves. “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you” (Jeremiah 29:7). That verse captures the heart of responsible civic engagement. It is not about control. It is about the good of the people.

What, then, does the phrase “Christian nationalism” even mean? The confusion persists because the term is used in very different ways. Patriotism is commonly defined as love for one’s country, while nationalism can refer to loyalty and devotion to a nation’s interests and culture. By those simple definitions, a Christian nationalist would merely be a Christian who loves his country. Yet in modern debates, the term is often loaded with darker connotations that go far beyond love of country.

Various writers have offered differing descriptions. Jared Sexton associates Christian nationalism with social harms and political controversies. Sociologists Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry describe it as an ideology that fuses American civic life with a particular Christian identity, while also linking it to nativism, patriarchy, and authoritarian control. Michelle Goldberg has argued that some leaders seek dominion rather than fairness. Matthew McCullough offers a more measured definition, describing it as an understanding of American identity in which the nation plays a central role in God’s historical purposes.

These differing definitions show how fluid and contested the phrase really is. Notably, those accused of being “Christian nationalists” rarely embrace the label themselves. This suggests that the term often functions as a caricature, a convenient way to portray believers as anti-democratic or intolerant simply because they advocate policies consistent with their faith. One writer observed that the phrase is frequently used to tar Christians motivated by their convictions to support policies critics dislike. In such cases, the label becomes a polemical tool rather than a precise description.

The Bible, of course, never uses the term “Christian nationalism.” What it does teach is decisive. Any ideology built on racial superiority, coercive rule, or militaristic domination would directly contradict the gospel. Scripture proclaims the unity of all people in Christ and condemns partiality and oppression. “There is neither Jew nor Greek… for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). There is nothing remotely Christian about white supremacy or the belief that God grants blanket approval for authoritarian control.

Instead, believers are called to personal consecration and mutual love. “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1). “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). In practical terms, this includes advocating for laws and policies consistent with righteousness, for “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). Yet the believer’s ultimate mission remains spiritual, not political. Our citizenship is first in heaven, even while we responsibly serve on earth (John 18:36; Philippians 3:20).

Submission, not domination, is the primary biblical posture toward government. “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1). That submission is compatible with respectful advocacy and moral persuasion. It does not mean silence, nor does it justify coercion. Perspectives that promise earthly dominion or conflate the advance of God’s kingdom with political conquest go beyond what Scripture teaches and understandably invite criticism.

A Christian may love his nation without idolizing it. Gratitude for one’s country, culture, language, history, and achievements is a good and proper affection. It becomes sinful only when love of country displaces love of God or fosters hostility toward others. Augustine warned long ago that disordered loves lead to disordered societies. Patriotism rightly ordered under Christ can serve the common good, while nationalism that exalts a nation above moral truth becomes idolatrous.

Therefore, it is not wrong for Christians to care deeply about the moral direction of their society. What would be wrong is to seek control, oppression, or domination in the name of Christ. Our calling is humbler and holier. We are to shine as lights in a dark world, doing good works that cause others to glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14–16). As C. S. Lewis wrote, “Christians are not meant to be isolated from the world, but to be a leaven that transforms it.”

Critics sometimes use the phrase “Christian nationalism” whenever they see any connection between faith and public conviction. From that vantage point, even advocating for the unborn, supporting Israel, or affirming biblical teaching on sexuality is portrayed as suspect. Yet such positions arise not from a desire to dominate, but from a desire to live consistently with what believers understand God’s Word to teach about human dignity and moral order. 

In the end, many people identify as Christians, and many also cherish their nation. With proper context, there is nothing inherently contradictory about those identities coexisting. Modern rhetoric often stretches the term “Christian nationalism” far beyond this simple overlap, implying motives and attitudes that do not belong to a biblical worldview. True Christian conviction seeks neither coercion nor cultural conquest. It seeks faithfulness to Christ, love for neighbor, and the quiet but steady influence of truth lived out with grace. 

Libs love putting all so-called Conservative Christians and Boomers too into one basket, but we don't all fit into one basket. God made us all unique from one another, not into robots.

What does the Bible say about basic nationalism?

Is Christian nationalism in agreement with what the Bible teaches? 

The mockers are not merely sinners because they like to sin, but sinners go sin cuz they are sinners (with an old nature inside). They were born wrong the first time with that lame nature, and that's why they need to be born again. 

Sup with statism?

Need some verses to go check out in context?

• Acts 5:29 – “We must obey God rather than men.”

• Galatians 5:13 – Freedom is given not for self-indulgence but to serve one another in love.

• Romans 13:1–7 – God ordains governing authorities, calling believers to respectful submission.

• John 18:36 – Jesus declares His kingdom is not of this world.

• Matthew 5:13–16 – Believers are called to be salt and light in society.

• Jeremiah 29:7 – Seek the welfare of the city where God has placed you.

• Proverbs 14:34 – “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”

• Romans 12:1 – Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.

• John 15:12 – Love one another as Christ has loved us.

• Philippians 3:20 – Our ultimate citizenship is in heaven.

• 1 Peter 2:13–17 – Honor governing authorities while fearing God.

• Micah 6:8 – Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.

• Augustine of Hippo: “An unjust law is no law at all.”

• John Stott: “The influence of Christians in society should be like that of salt, invisible yet effective.”

• Abraham Kuyper: “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ… does not cry, ‘Mine!’

• Charles Spurgeon: “When the gospel enters the heart, it transforms every sphere of life.”

• Francis Schaeffer: “The Christian is to resist the spirit of the world, but he is not to resist the world itself. He is to love it and serve it.

• Martin Luther: “A Christian is perfectly free lord of all, subject to none; a Christian is perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all.”

Are you patriotic or not so much? Let these Christians' words sink in. Together, these words affirm that real Christians may think, speak and act as salt and light. We Boomers and others may engage society with the Word, with conviction and humility, honoring Christ above all while seeking the genuine good of our neighbors.

Mr. Clive S. Lewis: “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.”

A Christian can indeed love his country deeply (praying for the citizens and leaders) and still love God supremely. Sure. Scripture never rebukes proper affection for one’s homeland, yet it repeatedly warns against letting any earthly loyalty eclipse ultimate allegiance to Christ. Patriotism, rightly understood, is gratitude for the providence of God in placing us within a nation; wrongly understood, it becomes a rival throne in the heart.

The Bible gives us a balanced framework. Romans 13:1–7 teaches that governing authorities are ordained by God, and therefore believers honor them, obey laws, and pay taxes as acts of obedience to the Lord Himself. Jesus affirmed this civic responsibility when He said, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). A Christian, then, should be a model citizen: respectful, law-abiding, prayerful, and engaged in seeking the good of society (Jeremiah 29:7). In a constitutional republic, this includes voting wisely, speaking truth graciously, and influencing public life in ways that reflect biblical righteousness and neighbor-love.

Yet Scripture draws a bright, non-negotiable line. Our first and final allegiance belongs to God alone. When human authority conflicts with divine command, the apostles’ words govern every generation: “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Patriotism that demands ultimate loyalty becomes idolatry, for Christ has purchased a people “from every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9). The cross unites believers into a kingdom that transcends every flag and border. Our citizenship is, at its core, heavenly (Philippians 3:20).

Wise Christians therefore practice what we might call “ordered patriotism.” We love our country as a gift of common grace, but we refuse to worship it as an object of ultimate devotion. We serve the nation best when we submit first to Christ, for righteousness exalts a nation (Proverbs 14:34), while moral compromise erodes it from within. History repeatedly shows that when the church loses its prophetic voice in order to preserve national favor, both church and nation suffer spiritual decline.

Research from Barna has frequently noted that many self-identified Christians struggle to maintain a consistently biblical worldview in public life. This tension reveals how easily cultural identity can overshadow gospel identity. But the solution is not withdrawal; it is faithful engagement shaped by Scripture, humility, and prayer (1 Timothy 2:1–4). The believer kneels before God before he stands for his country.

Great Christian leaders have long affirmed this tension with clarity. As Billy Graham observed, “My home is in heaven. I’m just traveling through this world.” Likewise, John Stott spoke of Christians as citizens of two realms, responsible in both, yet governed ultimately by Christ’s lordship. These insights echo the hymn line many saints have quietly sung in trials and triumphs: “This world is not my home.” That lyric captures the biblical pulse of Christian patriotism—engaged on earth, anchored in heaven.

Consider a simple illustration. A devoted ambassador may love the nation where he resides and labor diligently for its welfare, yet he never forgets the homeland he truly represents. His conduct is shaped not merely by local expectations but by the authority of the king who sent him. So it is with the believer. We bless our nation, pray for its leaders, and pursue justice and peace within it, yet our conscience remains captive to the Word of God.

Therefore, should a Christian be patriotic? Yes, within biblical boundaries. Love your country with gratitude. Serve it with integrity. Influence it with truth. Pray for its leaders with sincerity. But reserve your highest love, deepest trust, and final obedience for God alone. When patriotism bows before Christ, it becomes a noble virtue; when it competes with Christ, it becomes a subtle idol. The wise believer keeps the order clear: God first, country second, gospel above all.

When life feels kinda shaky and looks even shakier, God is ultimately still in control so no worries.

You've heard that a close, intimate, (obedient) relationship with the Lord Jesus is what matters most. It's true -- this makes all the difference in this ever-changing world. 

It's a good day to pray. Lots of wild stuff happens here, huh! Believer, when life feels uncertain, a little bit or a whole lot, Scripture steadies the spiritually reborn heart with unshakable clarity. 

Let the justices of our US Supreme Court decide and do as they will -- this way or that way, justly or not so much being influenced by whoever or whatever. God is BIGGER, BETTER, and always consistently just. Yes, fully trustworthy when they are not, and He works all things for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. 

Should a Christian be a Republican or a Democrat? 

Is democracy a Christian form of government?

Is there a correct political persuasion for Christians?

Kurt wants to vote accroding to the values of the Bible, and views it sort of like a game of golf when evaluating who to support. 

 

Q: Can a person be a real Christian as an American Liberal Democrat today? Perhaps in name only. God can save anyone of us sinners. Can one be a saved American without being a real Conservative or a part of MAGA in the USA? Sure, a person can repent of their sins, come to know and walk with Jesus in this or any Land. There used to be some decent American Democrats who weren't into killing babies with abortion etc but that was some years ago. Those days are long gone. Please ditch that evil party Mr or Ms Liberal and practice what the Bible really teaches. I know a few people who are disillusioned with all politics today (because there's indeed been corruption on both sides of the aisle), and yet some of them are strong Christians. They don't like all the verbal debates, they don't see what's at stake or what's worth fighting for, and they won't have anything to do with politics on either side. Listen, there are too many so-called Christians who keep putting politics and their mere human leader (saved sinner or lost sinner) ahead of God and living 100% for Jesus--it's wrong. I care more about who is in God's house and family than who is in the White House's family. But how can anyone be a strong Christian as a Democrat today, knowing all that Democrats/Liberals push for?

How should a Christian view politics?

Should a Christian be a Republican or a Democrat?

What is wrong with liberal Christianity?

Should a Christian run for political office?

What should be a Christian's attitude toward politics?

“The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19). 

"Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans." Ps. 119:91

The circumstances of life here sure can wobble real fast or slowly, but God does not. Storms rage here and there; His purposes stand strong. It's cuz He is. The believer’s confidence is not rooted in calm seas but in a sovereign Savior.

God has never failed His people. Joseph’s chains became a chariot to save nations (Genesis 50:20). David’s caves prepared a king (1 Samuel 22). Calvary’s darkest hour birthed eternal redemption (Acts 2:23–24). What appears as delay is often divine choreography. Isaiah 46:10 declares that He “declares the end from the beginning,” meaning every closed door and waiting season fits inside a wiser plan than we can presently see.

The only durable way to rest in God’s control is to know God Himself. Proverbs 9:10 teaches that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. As our knowledge of His holiness, love, and faithfulness deepens, so does our trust. A.W. Tozer wisely observed, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” If we think of Him as small, fear will be large; if we see Him as sovereign, hope will be steady.

Scripture holds two truths together without apology: God is sovereign, and we are responsible. Moses urged, “Choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19), while Jesus called, “Come to Me” (Matthew 11:28). Sovereignty is not fatalism; it is fatherly rule. Fatalism says nothing matters; sovereignty says everything matters because God is working through real choices and real prayers (Philippians 2:12–13).

Even death bows before His authority. Psalm 31:15 affirms, “My times are in Your hand.” Hebrews 2:14–15 proclaims that Christ destroyed the one who had the power of death, freeing those enslaved by fear. The believer does not deny uncertainty but declares a greater certainty: the risen Christ reigns.

Mr. Charles H. Spurgeon wrote, “There is no attribute more comforting to His children than that of God’s sovereignty.” 

Ms. Corrie ten Boom testified, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

Mr. A.W. Tozer reminded believers that having a high scriptural view of God along with an intimate relationship with Christ.. produces a deep peace. These godly people echo Scripture’s own chorus: God rules wisely, lovingly, and purposefully.

Research from Mr. George Barna consistently shows that only a minority of adults hold a consistent biblical worldview, and those with such a worldview report significantly higher hope and life stability. 

The implication is both pastoral and practical: when biblical belief in God’s sovereignty declines, then anxiety rises; when confidence in God's Word, His rule, His unchanging Promises and Holy Character strengthens, then resilience grows!

The old hymn captures this theology in song:

Great Is Thy Faithfulness — yep! 

“Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;

There is no shadow of turning with Thee.”

"And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28 nlt 

Every sound set of sound lyrics can be a sermon: His faithfulness does not flicker with our feelings or fluctuate with our fears.

So when life feels shaky, reborn believer, return to the bedrock truths: God reigns (Psalm 93:1). 

Let the justices with our US Supreme Court decide as they will -- this way or that way, justly or not so much being influenced by whoever or whatever. God is BIGGER, BETTER and always consistently just. Yes, fully trustworthy when they are not, and He works all things for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (See Romans 8:28 with context in different translations). 

God invites us to trust, obey, and hope (Proverbs 3:5–6; Titus 2:13). The call is not to passive resignation but to active, confident faith. Choose Christ daily, rest in His providence, and walk forward with courage—because the hands that guide history are the same hands that were pierced for our salvation.

God, not merely to inform our minds, but to enlarge our worship and deepen our daily thanksgiving 24/7/365. The more clearly we see who God truly is, the more naturally gratitude will rise within us. We start, then, with His glorious sovereignty.

To say that God is sovereign is to confess that He reigns with absolute authority over all creation. He does not answer to any higher court, nor is His will constrained by any created power. Scripture declares, “Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases” (Psalm 115:3). He is the King eternal, immortal, invisible (1 Timothy 1:17), whose dominion is everlasting (Daniel 4:34–35). Nothing exists outside His rule, and nothing unfolds beyond His knowledge or permission.

Yet, in the mystery of His wisdom, God’s sovereignty and human responsibility operate together in the drama of redemption. We affirm both truths because Scripture affirms both. God foreknows, chooses, and predestines His people (Romans 8:29–30; Ephesians 1:4–5; 1 Peter 1:2). Believers are called the “chosen” and the “elect” (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 2:9; Matthew 24:31). These truths humble us, for salvation is rooted in God’s eternal purpose rather than human merit.

At the same time, the Word of God summons every person to respond in faith. “Whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9–10). We are genuinely called to repent and believe, and we are accountable for that response.

How these two realities harmonize in the mind of God stretches beyond the grasp of finite understanding. Paul himself, after reflecting on God’s sovereign purposes, bursts into doxology rather than explanation: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” (Romans 11:33–36). Where our comprehension ends, our reverence must begin. We bow before a God whose ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8–9), acknowledging that mystery does not mean contradiction, but rather majesty.

Therefore, our calling is clear: we are to proclaim the gospel faithfully to all people (Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 1:8), leaving the secret counsels of election, foreknowledge, and predestination safely in God’s hands. Charles Spurgeon wisely said, “I never reconcile friends,” meaning he saw no need to force a reconciliation between divine sovereignty and human responsibility, since both are taught plainly in Scripture and perfectly harmonized in the mind of God.

God’s sovereignty flows naturally from His divine attributes. Because He is omniscient, nothing surprises Him (Psalm 147:5). Because He is omnipotent, nothing thwarts Him (Jeremiah 32:17). Because He is omnipresent and eternal, He stands outside the boundaries of time, declaring, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14; Psalm 90:2). As Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1–3), He possesses the unquestioned right to rule all that He has made. Thus, nothing occurs in the universe without at least passing through His permissive will.

Still, Scripture also reveals that God grants real choices to humanity. He sets before people life and death, blessing and curse, and calls them to choose life (Deuteronomy 30:15–19). He holds individuals responsible for their sins (Exodus 20:5) and expresses displeasure at their rebellion (Numbers 25:3). The existence of sin does not mean God lacks control; rather, it demonstrates that He sometimes permits what He does not approve, for purposes known fully only to Him. His sovereignty includes the freedom to allow, not merely the power to compel.

This balanced truth guards us from two errors: imagining that God directly causes every event as though humans were mere puppets, or imagining that God is a helpless observer reacting to human decisions. The Bible presents neither extreme. Instead, it reveals a sovereign Lord who actively governs and, at times, sovereignly permits, always accomplishing His ultimate purposes. “From Him and through Him and to Him are all things” (Romans 11:36).

Consider the healing of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11–19. All ten cried out for mercy, and all ten received cleansing from Christ’s sovereign compassion. Yet only one returned, loudly praising God and falling at Jesus’ feet in gratitude. The healed Samaritan illustrates the proper response to sovereign grace: humble, joyful and thankful. He recognized that his healing was not self-produced but divinely granted. Likewise, every blessing in our lives should lead us back to the feet of Christ in grateful worship.

Because God reigns over every circumstance, we can trust Him even when life feels uncertain. “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). Jeremiah confessed, “I know, O Lord, that a man’s way is not in himself; nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). And again, “Man’s steps are ordained by the Lord; how then can man understand his way?” (Proverbs 20:24). These verses do not diminish human effort; they place our efforts within the wise governance of God.

But what of suffering and hardship? Is God still sovereign then? Scripture answers with a resounding yes. Though many events remain mysterious and painful, God is able to weave even adversity into His good purposes for His people: “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28). The psalmist affirms, “All things serve Your plan” (Psalm 119:91). This assurance steadies the heart: nothing in the believer’s life is random; every thread is woven by a sovereign and loving hand.

God’s sovereignty, therefore, is not a cold doctrine but a warm pillow for the soul. It assures us that history is not spiraling aimlessly, that our lives are not governed by blind chance, and that our salvation is not dependent on human strength. Instead, we rest in the sovereign grace of God. “He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace” (Ephesians 1:5–6).

Grace and sovereignty meet most beautifully at the cross. We were sinners, unable to save ourselves, yet God, in sovereign mercy, sent His Son to redeem us (Romans 3:24; 5:20). Paul testified, “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10). Every believer can echo that confession. Our salvation is not the result of chance or personal worthiness, but the outworking of God’s eternal love and gracious purpose.

Even the common blessings of life testify to His sovereign grace. “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45). Every breath we draw is sustained by His mercy, whether acknowledged or ignored. How much more, then, should those redeemed by Christ overflow with thanksgiving all year long!

The sovereignty of God is therefore not merely a theological concept to debate but a truth to adore. It humbles our pride, quiets our fears, and fuels our gratitude. Knowing that our lives are held within the wise and loving rule of God frees us from the illusion of self-sufficiency and invites us into restful trust. 

Mr. A.W. Tozer wrote, “God’s sovereignty is the attribute by which He rules His entire creation, and to be sovereign God must be all-knowing, all-powerful, and absolutely free.”

So as we prepare our hearts for this brand new day, let us rejoice that our days are not governed by accident but by the sovereign hand of our faithful God. He rules in creation, providence, and redemption. He saves by grace, guides with wisdom, and accomplishes all His holy purposes. Our fitting response is the same as the healed leper: to return, fall at His feet, and loudly praise Him for His sovereign mercy.

Q: Do you wonder if you need to come to Christ and, through Him, get right with your Heavenly Father? Come to Him now. 

How does the truth that God reigns over every detail of your life shape your trust, your obedience, and your gratitude before Him today?

Let the justices of our US Supreme Court decide as they will -- this way or that way, justly or not so much being influenced by whoever or whatever. God is BIGGER, BETTER, and always consistently just. Yes, fully trustworthy when they are not, and He works all things for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.  

If you've blown it in sin. Be honest. Repent and get back up. Walk closely with Jesus and His people. 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds." James 1:2

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13

Hey believer, no matter the oppostion make steps forward -- be consistent in your walk with the Lord today. Repeat tomorrow. I've heard that..

Do you have some momentum forward, believer? Momentum solves 80% of your problems as a leader.

While a good leader sustains momentum, a great leader increases it.

Momentum is one of the leader's best friends so to speak.

Motivation gets you started. Momentum keeps you going.

When you have no momentum, even the simplest tasks seem impossible.

Do at least one thing today to put yourself in motion.

Consistency in the Lord matters. What did he last tell you to go do that's biblically right? Pray and obey, for there's no other way that's really legitimate.

It is built on those wise yet small, repeated progress steps. Let Him lead, one step at a time. If He ain't Lord of all, He ain't Lord at all!

Remove the obstacles, Sport, and limit all the things that do not move you forward (spiritually and on every level). The 2nd best (out of His will) can be the absolute enemy of the best.

Be clear, be understood, be unashamed. Intentionally have an understanding early with those you love, so you'll fail to have a misunderstanding.

Ever heard about that older couple who were trying to communicate with each other at the time of their half-century anniversary? 

Yes, together they were celebrating 50 years of married life together. How wonderful is that? But the wife had been getting a little hard of hearing, and so the husband clearly announced in front of family and friends, to his wife, the love of my life -- my dear beloved, after 50 years, I have found you tried and true. 

He had to repeat this. 

Again, cuz she couldn't hear very well. She said, What? 

He said, My dear wife, after 50 years, I have found you tried and true. 

...and then she shot back at him, Well, after 50 years, I'm tired of you too. 

There was a little bit of a communication breakdown there. 

You know, there are a lot of American companies that have had this same problem. They tried to offer their products overseas, but sometimes there's a language barrier that has to be overcome. Many fail to get their message across the bridge so to speak.

It's called something getting lost in translation, and this can be a bit humorous in certain situations. 

As an example, the Parker Pen Company was expanding its ballpoint line to Mexico came up with another slogan: It won't leak in your pocket and embarrass you. But the problem was they didn't fully understand how it would come out in Spanish. And instead it was translated to say, on billboards, this pen will not leak in your pocket and impregnate you. Man, that a little different than what they had intended. 

In Italy, a campaign for Schweppes tonic water was translated into Schweppes toilet water. 

Needless to say, not a lot of people wanted to drink toilet water. 

Jolly Green Giant, you remember them, with their ho ho ho, and their slogan, the Jolly Green Giant. Well they tried to go market in the Arabic market, and instead it came out to the intimidating green ogre. 

Have you tried some of those beans from the intimidating green ogre? 

In Taiwan, the translation of the Pepsi slogan, come alive with the Pepsi generation, instead came out to say, Pepsi will bring your ancestors back from the dead. Now, depending on what ancestors those were, maybe that's a promising thing, maybe not so. 

Clairol tried to market its mystic curling iron in Germany, and instead of it saying mystic, it said manure stick. Not a lot of German ladies were all that excited about using a manure stick. 

In China, Kentucky Fried Chicken took their slogan, finger-licking good, and instead it came out in Chinese as, eat your fingers off. It gives a whole new meaning to chicken fingers, doesn't it? 

And finally, Scandinavian vacuum cleaner manufacturer Electrolux used the following in their American ad campaign. So they came over to America and used this phrase, nothing sucks like an Electrolux. There's some surfer lingo there. Yeah, something is lost in translation. 

Well, guess what? Jesus Christ, as perfect as He is also seemed to have this sort of communication issue with his own disciples. It was with those lacking ears to hear They did not understand why he had come to this earth in the first place.. though He kept telling them. 

Repeating in different ways can be helpful with time. Be clear in your thinking -- yes, no matter where you're located on earth. 

Me thinks when it's foggy in the pulpit or on the streets, it sure seems to be cloudy all around there. 

Dr. Howard Hendricks used to attend our local church in Frisco, Texas and he once said: "A mist in the pulpit is a fog in the pew!"

"Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?” 28 So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.” 30 Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him." Mark 8:27-30 nkjv.

Clear gospel witness requires a clear gospel mind and a compassionate gospel voice. Scripture urges us to speak so people truly understand: “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Col. 4:6). Clarity is not compromise; it is love applied to truth. When hearts are eternal and time is short, vague words are unkind words.

The apostles modeled this holy clarity. Paul resolved, “We do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord” (2 Cor. 4:5), and again, “I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). The gospel was never buried beneath cultural jargon. It was spoken plainly: Christ died for sinners, rose again, and calls all to repent and believe (1 Cor. 15:3–4; Acts 17:30–31). As Billy Graham often said, “The gospel is the good news that God loves us and sent His Son to die for our sins.”

Clarity in witness is both biblical and strategic. Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29). That question demands a clear answer, not a cloudy impression. Peter’s confession—“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16)—shows that saving faith rests on a precise understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done. Yet moments later Peter resisted the cross (Mark 8:32–33), proving that even sincere believers can misunderstand the mission of Christ if the message is not fully grasped. The crown cannot be preached without the cross.

Faithful witnesses will therefore study both Scripture and people. “The heart of the righteous studies how to answer” (Prov. 15:28). We translate without diluting. 

Paul spoke their particular language and entered their culture short of sinning. He became “all things to all people” (1 Cor. 9:22), not by changing the gospel, but by removing needless barriers to understanding. John Stott wrote, “We must be faithful to the gospel and sensitive to the culture.” The message is sacred; the method must be thoughtful.

Research confirms the urgency of clarity. Studies from the Barna Group repeatedly show that many non-Christians believe Christianity is mainly about moral behavior rather than Christ’s atoning death and resurrection. When the core message is misunderstood, evangelism must recover simplicity: sin, cross, resurrection, repentance, faith. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Christian history echoes the same conviction. Charles Spurgeon declared, “If people will not come to hear us, we must go and speak so they can understand.” 

Hudson Taylor insisted that missionaries must “put the cookies on the lowest shelf,” meaning the gospel should be reachable to the simplest listener. 

Mr. Clive S. Lewis once observed, “The message of Christianity is not complicated; it is profound but plain.” These voices remind us that obscurity is never a spiritual virtue.

Even our songs teach this. The old hymn sings, “I love to tell the story,” because the story itself—clear, repeated, and Christ-centered—awakens faith (Rom. 10:17). The power lies not in clever phrasing but in a faithful proclamation of Christ crucified and risen.

Practically, clear witnessing grows through three disciplines as we walk closely following Jesus.

First, know the Bible and Christ's gospel deeply. If the message is fuzzy in our heart or mind, it will be foggy on our lips.. and in their ears (2 Tim. 2:15).

Second, know your audience, yes, the listener compassionately. Jesus saw the crowds and felt somethign -- He had compassion for each of them (Matt. 9:36). His type of compassion listens and hears before speaking.

Third, know your mother tongue well, and how to use their language wisely. Avoid insider jargon, regional slang like surfer-speak, and vague religious phrases. Speak as Jesus did—using images and words drawn from culture and their everyday life so truth lands gently but firmly (Mark 4:33).

Fourth, above all, we must be given to prayer and really care before we share. Do you love God most and love people too? Who is really leading you? Do you pray for those you want to see in heaven one day? 

I hope they feel that they are loved by you before you start witnessing to them in a non-pushy or preachy sort of way. The clarity must be joined with consecration and God's love. 

Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me” (Mark 8:34). A clear message without a consistent life creates confusion; a clear message with a faithful life creates credibility (Phil. 1:27). As Eugene Peterson summarized, discipleship is “a long obedience in the same direction,” a steady witness that outlasts emotional hype and fleeting charisma.

When Christ taught, a child could understand Him. He didn't neglect the Scriptures when he spoke their language. 

Therefore, let our witness be like that and remain simple, stay scriptural, and always be sincere. Careful, but use some humor too. Don't make yourself the hero of every story. 

In their language. Speak and brag about Christ plainly and give them an opportunity to get right withh God on the spot. Is there anything at all that would prevent you from coming to Christ right now..as you are? He sees and fully understands you already. 

What does it mean that faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17)?

How clear are you, and where does saving faith really come from in relation to how you speak?

Again, how is hearing by the Word of God important (Romans 10:17)?

Why does Romans 10:17?

What does it mean that while we were still sinners Christ died for us?

What does the Bible say about getting the doubt out?

How can I overcome doubt in my relationship with God?

What are some Bible verses about faith?

Why do so many people struggle with a lack of faith?

What is the purpose of Jesus interceding for us in heaven?

How can I clearly evangelize my friends and family if they are open to this?

Explain the cross and Christ's resurrection carefully using clean language. Be bold yet gentle. Call for repentance lovingly. Trust the Spirit to illuminate their hearts (John 16:8). Yes, rely upon Him and His power. He will guide you step by step. When the gospel is spoken with clarity, when it is clothed in compassion, and it is confirmed by consistent victorious living, it will rarely get lost in the translation.  By God’s strong grace, it will come through, and you will see a response toward Him with saving faith.