Ladies, Do What You Can
I thought I'd share a little story from a few years ago when I was at the grocery store check-out stand. While the clerk rang up my order, I glanced down at my son (7 at that time) whose eyes were fixed and staring to the side. As I followed his gaze my heart literally sank within me - there was a GQ magazine cover showing a soft p*rn image of prominent hollywood celebrity. I was SO upset. I quickly brushed his glance in the opposite direction, turned the filthy magazine over and we left. (If it had happened today, I probably would've spoken up about my offense which, I suppose, would have made a "scene".)
But I went home and strait away wrote the manager of the store and corporate headquarters with my ugly experience in their store. I explained my longtime patronage and loyalty to that store and that if something was not done about this, I would gladly take my business elsewhere. I warned that I would also tell my many friends and family to do the same.
To my delight and amazement, I received an apology letter back in response stating that the management had been contacted and changes would be made. Shortly thereafter, I noticed a big red sign over one check stand that read "Family Friendly". Sure enough, that isle had NO magazine display racks at all. Just gum and the like. Naturally, I wish they'd made every check stand family friendly, but the fact that such a big chain store listened and made changes was an encouraging victory.
The Bible says we must resist the devil for him to flee. No resistance, no fleeing! When we come upon evil trying to creep it's way into public domain, a place where everything should be "family friendly", we must not be afraid to resist that old serpent and wield our swords in authority.
I tell this story because there are so many Christians who feel their voice won't make a difference. But that is just a tactical lie of the enemy to keep people from trying. Sadly, the majority of Christians just keep swallowing the dung that the enemy keeps piling on their plate. Resist the enemy and he will flee.
Just recently, Sears buckled under Christian pressure to remove pornographic material from their product line. You can read more about it here. Just another example of how a small group, through persistence, had a big victory.
Even though we are keepers at home and not on the battle lines every day as many who are out and about all day, we can STILL be active soldiers in the battle. There is an old hymn called "Onward Christian Soldiers" that was sung regularly by church members at Sunday meetings that has sadly been replaced by modern "me" centered worship music which has more me's, I's, myself's (referring to the person) in it than You's (referring to God).
Check out the anonymous lyrics to the parody of that great hymn. Shamefully, this could be the banner song for many modern churches.
Backward Christian soldiers, fleeing from the fight
With the Cross of Jesus nearly out of sight.
Christ our rightful master, stands against the foe,
But forward into battle, we are loathe to go.
Like a mighty tortoise moves the Church of God
Brothers we are treading where we've always trod.
We are much divided, many bodies we,
Having many doctrines, not much charity.
Crowns and thorns may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the Church of Jesus hidden does remain.
Gates of Hell should never 'gainst the Church prevail
We have Christ's own promise, but think that it will fail.
Sit here then ye people, join our useless throng
Blend with ours your voices in a feeble song
Blessings, ease and comfort, ask from Christ the King
With our modern thinking, we don't do a thing.
(Anonymous)
Compare it now to the original hymn.
Onward Christian Soldiers
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
forward into battle see his banners go!
At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee;
on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
one in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
but the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never 'gainst that church prevail;
we have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail.
Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King,
this through countless ages men and angels sing.
What an encouraging hymn, so full of the power and authority we have in Christ Jesus. We mustn't look to the sheep, we must follow and look to our great Shepherd. So many soggy churches filled with chair warmers, fancy 'worship' music, dazzling speeches (sermons) and books that are passing as Bibles today! These are the devil's delight.
When we fight in battle, resist the devil, and run the race set before us, we can boldly let our "light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Mat 5:16)
So I encourage you ladies, do what you can in your own circle of influence for the Lord. Stand up for right, condemn wrong. Do what you can.
But I went home and strait away wrote the manager of the store and corporate headquarters with my ugly experience in their store. I explained my longtime patronage and loyalty to that store and that if something was not done about this, I would gladly take my business elsewhere. I warned that I would also tell my many friends and family to do the same.
To my delight and amazement, I received an apology letter back in response stating that the management had been contacted and changes would be made. Shortly thereafter, I noticed a big red sign over one check stand that read "Family Friendly". Sure enough, that isle had NO magazine display racks at all. Just gum and the like. Naturally, I wish they'd made every check stand family friendly, but the fact that such a big chain store listened and made changes was an encouraging victory.
The Bible says we must resist the devil for him to flee. No resistance, no fleeing! When we come upon evil trying to creep it's way into public domain, a place where everything should be "family friendly", we must not be afraid to resist that old serpent and wield our swords in authority.
I tell this story because there are so many Christians who feel their voice won't make a difference. But that is just a tactical lie of the enemy to keep people from trying. Sadly, the majority of Christians just keep swallowing the dung that the enemy keeps piling on their plate. Resist the enemy and he will flee.
Just recently, Sears buckled under Christian pressure to remove pornographic material from their product line. You can read more about it here. Just another example of how a small group, through persistence, had a big victory.
Even though we are keepers at home and not on the battle lines every day as many who are out and about all day, we can STILL be active soldiers in the battle. There is an old hymn called "Onward Christian Soldiers" that was sung regularly by church members at Sunday meetings that has sadly been replaced by modern "me" centered worship music which has more me's, I's, myself's (referring to the person) in it than You's (referring to God).
Check out the anonymous lyrics to the parody of that great hymn. Shamefully, this could be the banner song for many modern churches.
Backward Christian soldiers, fleeing from the fight
With the Cross of Jesus nearly out of sight.
Christ our rightful master, stands against the foe,
But forward into battle, we are loathe to go.
Like a mighty tortoise moves the Church of God
Brothers we are treading where we've always trod.
We are much divided, many bodies we,
Having many doctrines, not much charity.
Crowns and thorns may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the Church of Jesus hidden does remain.
Gates of Hell should never 'gainst the Church prevail
We have Christ's own promise, but think that it will fail.
Sit here then ye people, join our useless throng
Blend with ours your voices in a feeble song
Blessings, ease and comfort, ask from Christ the King
With our modern thinking, we don't do a thing.
(Anonymous)
Compare it now to the original hymn.
Onward Christian Soldiers
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
forward into battle see his banners go!
At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee;
on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
one in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
but the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never 'gainst that church prevail;
we have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail.
Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King,
this through countless ages men and angels sing.
What an encouraging hymn, so full of the power and authority we have in Christ Jesus. We mustn't look to the sheep, we must follow and look to our great Shepherd. So many soggy churches filled with chair warmers, fancy 'worship' music, dazzling speeches (sermons) and books that are passing as Bibles today! These are the devil's delight.
When we fight in battle, resist the devil, and run the race set before us, we can boldly let our "light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Mat 5:16)
So I encourage you ladies, do what you can in your own circle of influence for the Lord. Stand up for right, condemn wrong. Do what you can.
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