“Does God need defending?”
Recently, I finally gave in and watched the Broadway play, Hamilton. Liberalism aside, it was actually pretty good. One scene in particular stood out to me. In it, one of Washington’s Generals, Lee, publicly and overtly criticized and disrespected General Washington. Lee’s comments bordered on sedition and insubordination. Hamilton quickly came to Washington’s defense and wanted satisfaction and retribution for Lee’s remarks. However, Washington was clear to Hamilton and gave him strict orders to disregard Lee’s disrespectful outbursts.
Hamilton’s close friend, Laurens, got involved and said he would duel Lee for satisfaction. The pistol duel occurred and Lee was shot in his side. When General Washington found out about the duel, he was furious. Washington apologized to Lee and demanded a private audience with Hamilton. Washington sternly chastised Hamilton for indirectly disobeying orders and orchestrating the duel. Hamilton tried to defend his actions. The conversation went something like:
Hamilton: “Lee called you out.”
Washington: “I am not a maiden in need of defending! I am grown!”
Hamilton: “These men take your name and they rake it through the mud!”
Washington: “My name’s been through a lot. I can take it!”
After that scene, I asked myself, “Did Washington need defending?” Not really. It then occurred to me to ask, “Likewise, does God need defending?” A resounding, “No!” Many scriptures came rushing to my mind.
a. Ex 20:2-3 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. (vs.3) You shall have no other gods before me.
b. Rev 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
c. Ex 3:13-14 Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?”(vs.14) God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
d. Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
e. Mt 22:37-38 Jesus said unto him, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (vs.38) This is the first and great commandment.”
f. 2Cor 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
Bottom line, these scriptures state that God is Who He says He is… God. It’s not up for debate, discussion, or vote. People, as a whole, have forgotten this. Our distractions abound, whether through abundance, a warped understanding of freedom, our problems, our flesh. And, the greater we forget that God is the Great I Am, the greater man has to pretend to be God. Without God, we are left to “be like god.” (Genesis 3:22) Dr. Ravi Zacharias said that one interpretation of this passage is that man has become like God, in that man must now act like God, and from within himself, determine good from evil. (Read “You’re trying to be God!”)
In these times of darkness, confusion, and controversy, all need to be violently shaken and reminded that God is God. I’d even go further and tell Christians that God does not need defending. Rather, His truths His power, His majesty, His love is to be declared! Declare to the world that He is God, that He has spoken, that He has revealed Himself through His Son, and that same Jesus is coming back!
I have to confess that I spent a large season of my life debating religious, moral, social, and political issues utilizing the word of God. I must also admit that this same season facilitated the cutting of my teeth through facing my fears, developing courage, developing faith and prayer, etc. Generally, it did teach me how to fight the good fight, but I did notice that while these debates and conversations may have planted seeds, I don’t recall much immediate Kingdom fruit. What I do recall, in this same season, is that when I simply shared the gospel and His truths, many gave their lives to Christ and were discipled.
– Short Video: How to Share the Gospel
My humble, simple advice? Step 1: Fundamentally, “preach the gospel,” (Mark 16:15) don’t debate it. Preaching the gospel is our primary mission. Step 2: Sift through hearts by declaring God’s truths of fire, while being cognizant of what’s going on in the candidate’s heart. Discern whether their heart is hardening or melting. If it’s hardening, back off (Mt 10:12-14). If it’s melting, give them more. (Read “Don’t blame the Flame!”)
God is the same today, yesterday, and forevermore, as is His Word! He does not need defending. God’s existence does not depend on our belief in Him. To the contrary, our existence depends on our belief in Him! Stop wasting time by defending and debating the God-stuff. Start declaring THE GREAT I AM!
– Make a Donation
– Please Remember to share
———————————————————————————————-
Agree with Us in Prayer:
a. For the Brig/Prison: The Friday Sxxual Integrity classes are going great. Very popular and nearly 100% prisoner attendance. Please continue to pray for the Brig Wednesday night bible study of twenty years to resume. New, key personnel have arrived and I am scheduled to meet them in mid-October. Pray for favor!Pray for all the souls in the Brig — the inmates, the guards, and their families. Bind up spirits of bitterness, unforgiveness, shame, condemnation, and pride. And loose a spirit of salvation, discipleship, forgiveness, exposure, healing, deliverance, peace, and restoration!
b. For continued increase at ZCDC (Churchplant). Pray for my strength and wisdom as we rebuild and regather. While on-base support for us has diminished, opposition has increased. There are many new souls on Camp Schwab, so pray for the gathering of sheep and the conversion of goats. Schwab is a very unique area with an extreme operational tempo, and a high turnover rate. Many service members are here only for a 6-month deployment, so our time together is very short. Try to imagine the challenges of rebuilding a ministry every six months. It’s not for every missionary, but it’s what we do… and we make disciples!!! So, pray for mature, Qualified Families and Permanent Personnel to co-labor with us in this northern-most, remote area of Okinawa.
c. For Zebulun Worship Team. We need Leaders, Singers, and Musicians.
d. For our Believers, that they walk in increased discernment, wisdom, maturity, power, and works, that they are properly discipled, and that they bear much Kingdom fruit!
e. Pray against retaliatory, unclean spirits from On-Base and Off-Base. Bind up demonic spirits of control, division, envy, strife, competition, lust, and fear. And loose a spirit of unity, peace, love, maturity, discipleship, and faith among Believers.
f. For our current schedule (finances, resources, wisdom, strategies, and strength):
– Sun: Share/Report Christians In Action
– Mon: Radical & Relevant (R&R) @7pm
– Wed: Brig Christian Fellowship (BCF) @7pm
– Thu: Publish Think On These Things Newsletters
– Thu: Publish YouTube Videos (Channel: YahwehHasASon)
– Fri: Sexual Integrity & Restoration (SIR) @9am
– Sat: Zebulun Christian Discipleship CenterZebulun Christian Discipleship Center (ZCDC) @6pm
– Facebook Live Video Broadcasts
———————————————————————————————-
In closing…
Beloved, more than ever we covet your prayers. When you pray with us, you partner with us in the Kingdom harvest here.
We remain focused on making disciples! We involve! We expose! We provoke! We challenge! I know my approach and methods intimidate many, to which I respond, “If this discipling makes you uncomfortable, then you’re too comfortable!” What people find out as they’re exposed is that they are immature, powerless, boring, and bored Christians. However, as they endure the fire — the exposure, the involvement, the demands — they grow rapidly!
This is not an exaggeration. People who go through six months or more of our training, leave this island changed. Nearly all of our disciples bear witness that 1) Their family and friends back Stateside commented on their boldness, knowledge, and maturity, and 2) Just how pervasive the darkness is in the US. We make disciples! To God be the glory!
You can help. Being full-time missionaries in Japan is quite expensive, challenging, and quite taxing. Please PRAYERFULLY consider partnering with us in these Kingdom works through your monetary donations. Donations can be made online at Christians In Action. Or, you can mail contributions to the address listed below.
I declare that people glorify God because of you! (Gal 1:24)
<*{{{{><
In His grace,
Pastor Nick & Sandy GuerraContributions can be sent to:
Dominic Guerra (Acct# 426)
c/o Christians in Action Missions International
P.O. Box 25093
Fresno, CA 93729
▪ Please ensure Acct #426 is annotated on your contribution so the funds can be allocated correctly.
▪ Please share/forward these newsletters at your discretion.
Make a Donation
| — Our Mission & Vision — “Gather Sheep & Convert Goats!” “Catch, Clean, & Release!” |