I am a Christian.

“Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” (1 Peter 1:18-19 ESV)

We were delivered from a futile life by the blood of Christ. It is not money, wealth or fame that provide fulfillment, but the blood of Christ that provides a life of satisfaction, fulfillment, and happiness. This is the Christian life.

Rarely do I publish anything related to the political arena, as I do not wish to alienate anyone. But I do think we should not stick our heads in the sand. So, here is my disclaimer: THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL STATEMENT.

My Brothers and Sisters, I love my country. I have served it for most of my working life in government service, giving and suffering much in doing so. I am not an extremist, nor do I support extremism. I support Christ and the Christian way of life. It is the only way we can have assurances when it comes to our eternity.

I read an article that causes me great concern, and again, it comes from the modern worldview, not a biblical worldview. The article told of documentation revealing the Federal government allegedly required banks to search for customer transactions with the keywords being the name of a former president, His slogan name, and “religious texts.” I find it disheartening that the government may be conducting such surveillance. However, it is frightening that in the article, it is alleged that the government associated religious texts with extremism. I am praying on this deeply.

I have religious texts tagged on my emails. My greetings are often Greek or Hebrew religious greetings. I oversee a religious devotional website. I am a minister. I put my Christian life before everything. Christ is my everything. Have you ever heard of Deitrich Bonhoeffer? How about Richard Wurmbrand? If you do not know these two men, you should; if you do know them, then you understand the cost of faith.

We live in a democracy. It is the longest-existing democracy, and I would like to keep it that way. I am concerned about the rise in the persecution of Christians, as we all should be concerned. I pray for Christ’s saints here on earth. I love the founding father's ideas on what this nation was and is to be. I would like to keep it that way. We all know things change, but true Christianity does not change.

Why this message? Because the Bible tells us that those who follow Christ will be persecuted. We have lived a sheltered life as Christians in this country for a very long time. It appears that time is slowly ending. So, what must we do? Worship. We worship the Lord as we always have. We spread the Gospel as we always have. If troubles come our way, we trust in the Lord. We remain unto the Lord. Like Paul, like Stephen, we remain faithful.

Jesus said, “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and all nations will hate you because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Matthew 24:6-13 ESV). No one knows when Christ will come again. I just pray for the time when He does. Until then, we must keep the faith and know that all things are in God’s hands.

Whenever I am troubled by the things I see happening within the arena of that which governs us, I always remember one of my favorite pieces of scripture, which is Proverbs 21:1: “The heart of the king is like rivers of water in the hand of the Lord. He turns it where He wishes.”  God controls all things, all kings, and all rulers, and God always uses evil for good. Trust in the Lord; you will never go wrong.

Peace and Grace!