Prayer Requests

Thank you for your prayer request – most certainly I and the fellowship will beseech the Lord for forgiveness and restitution. A particularly traumatizing sin, those closest to the perpetrator as well as the victim often ‘feel’ there isn’t forgiveness for one who has sexually abused a child. Of course, our faith is not glandular, but spiritual based upon the application of the Word by the Holy Spirit. In the natural, none would forgive much at all regardless of the offense. But, God is gracious and merciful. No sin is beyond His ability to forgive (Romans 5:20). Jesus came to cleanse all sin: “Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins” (Mark 3:28). When we recognize our sin, turn from it, and cry out to God as your brother has, He forgives. And while God forgives, the consequences of sin linger and prove the work of God in the hearts and minds of those affected (Proverbs 6:27). Having sought and obtained God’s forgiveness, the next step is seeking forgiveness from those who have been injured. Child molestation is a sad reality, but everyone involved must confess that it is not beyond God’s ability to overcome. God can redeem and restore. We praise Him “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). The “more than we can imagine” includes healing and forgiveness of every sort. While everyone is quick to confront the offender, the offended are not so quick to have the same view as the Lord, hence to work of the Spirit broadens. Those asked to forgive and refuse to do so often is due to a misunderstanding that forgiveness is forgetting. God does not suffer from amnesia about our sin. He remembers very clearly; however, it is not a remembering to condemn us (Romans 8:1). King David’s adultery and Abraham’s lying—these sins are recorded for all time in Scripture. God obviously did not “forget” about them. The offended are not being asked to forget – but forgive. This realization very often results an a more amenable response. Immediately following up, forgiveness is not the automatic restoration of trust. It is wrong to think that forgiving an abusive spouse today means the separation should end tomorrow. Scripture gives us many reasons to distrust those who have proved themselves untrustworthy (Luke 16:10–12). Rebuilding trust can only begin after a process of reconciliation involving true forgiveness—which, of course, involves confession and repentance from the offender and it’s recognition by the offended. If God has forgiven, clearly we cannot withhold the same. Again, forgiveness in the moment and trust in the long-term are two different things. One is granted, the other restored – and the latter takes time. You know, God created time but we often don’t give Him a chance to use it in our lives. Carol, this is going to take time. Finally, Jesus warned, “In the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:2). Those who refuse to forgive after the offender as clearly, biblically confessed their sin, asked forgiveness and engaged in the restoration process literally open themselves up to same from the hand of God. The key here is “process”: God isn’t working just in the heart of the offender, but also the offended. In God’s economy, the Spirit moves upon all concerned addressing each according to their need including their unforgiving spirit. It is a dangerous position to hold, not overlooked by Lord, inviting correction – often in very challenging, public ways. This is a process which may never have an end, but it is a process of which God will not tire. I know people Christians who have failed to forgive – saved, and miserable, having set themselves above the Word and God’s direction. At this point, the circumstance becomes superficial as the Spirit engages the heart. Again, know of our prayers. Pastor Raker

As you acknowledge, some family conflicts are inevitable preciously because some family members embrace Christ while others reject the way of holiness, the result being struggles characterized by the deepest hurt, confusion and division. Jesus, the Prince of Peace Himself, warned us of this type of family conflict in Matthew 10:34–36, reflecting Micah 7:6: “…for the son treats the father with contempt, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house.” Yet Micah 7 is all about waiting for the God of Salvation and, immediately in v. 7, Micah writes: “But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” Clearly as parents and grandparents you have faithfully instilled the word of the Lord. The seed was planted and can never be discarded, never returning void. It is exactly this seed that the Holy Spirit will use to remind, convict and continually use to draw your children back to a right relationship with Himself and subsequently with you as parents. We are all familiar with Proverbs 22:6. What we are not so familiar with is the Hebrew inflection of this admonition which is that God uses what parents (grandparents) have faithfully taught and modeled to literally ‘haunt’ offspring even to an advanced age. You have met God’s expectation. Now, according to Micah 7:7, we turn to God to confront, convict and convince as only He can…all the while maintaining our biblical lifestyle with love and grace, being helpful and doing good to those who despise us in order to reflect our Lord’s goodness and longsuffering which are aspects of the relationships we still control and bridges God will use. Know of our prayer for you and your entire family.

Mr. Abernathy: Thank you so much for your observation and inquiry. I couldn’t agree more as to the ungodly undermining of the concept of biblical celebration. To this end, and in response to your very good suggestion, please find a new edition of Issues and Answers titled, “Holidays” under, appropriately, the ‘Holiday” section of Issues and Answers. Grace and peace to you, sir.

Hello Bryan: Thank you for your email. First, I commend you and your fellow students for your biblical stand. Of course, it is our very separation from the world that arouses the world’s animosity (1 Peter 4:3–4) which often induces us to compromise our convictions. As true believers in Christ, we accept God’s Word as absolute, inerrant truth (2 Timothy 3:16). We must be fully obedient to His Word (John 14:15; 1 John 5:3; 2 John 1:6). And we must recognize that His Word is not to be compromised for any reason or for anyone (Deuteronomy 17:11; Proverbs 24:7; Revelation 3:15). A definition of rationalization is the lowering of a standard and, to your credit, you have rejected that option adhering to the absolute truth. It is incredulous how many of our institutions maintain the inherent contradiction of absolutely no absolutes, isn’t it? Second, while you have cited a basis for our convictions, it is interesting that Duke’s student senate invokes the concept of God based upon…what definition? God acts (or not) based upon what criteria? And their verdict is not flawed based upon what foundational arguments (could this be merely man’s opinion)? I have no doubt that members of the Duke University student senate are very sincere…and sincerely wrong. I dare say the kind of love you are being asked to employ wouldn’t have necessitated Jesus’ crucifixion, leaving only two crosses atop Golgotha. I was asked recently if a Christian should have gay friends? Yes, in the same way and for the same reasons that Jesus associated with publicans. He saw every person as someone created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) and respected them as such. He saw the person He had created them to be. He saw their fear, their confusion, their heartaches, and their future without Him. He offered everyone the same pardon and transformation when they were willing to make Him Lord of their lives. A Christian is simply a sinner who has accepted the gospel and now represents Christ to everyone, including our gay friends, with grace and truth (John 1:14). This clearly is your position for which you are commended. And one point I underscore with my very conservative brothers and sisters: people are allowed to choose. Joshua’s charge still rings true: “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24:15). Today being election day, I’m always amused how some pastors push to elect saved people into governmental positions, as if we can elect enough Christians and force America to be Christian. I wonder why Jesus didn’t think of that and avoid the whole cross thinkg?! Point being, while Jesus in every interaction brought that person or that group to a point of decision, the Lord never forced anyone to accept Him then…or now. But He does look upon us as to say, “Ok, if not My will…thy will be done.” Having taken this position, Jesus talked to those who would follow Him about taking up a cross, counting the cost, and giving up everything (Luke 14:25—33). “The way is hard that leads to life,” He said (Matthew 7:14). Scripture mentions many of God’s people who have walked that hard road—Daniel, Elijah, Joseph, and John the Baptist are just a few. Living for God may be difficult, but it is not joyless. Paul wrote his most joyful letter while suffering persecution in Rome (see the book of Philippians). We will still face temptation and hardship, but when the glory of God is our focus, living for Him becomes the source of our joy, circumstances notwithstanding (Psalm 100:2; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Peter 4:16). Finally, is all of this worth it if we don’t obtain the result hoped for? In God’s economy, most definitely yes. In the both the Old and New Testaments, our testimony, civility and kindness to those who are entrenched, unmoved and unlovely is as coals upon their heads at the time of their judgment (Proverbs. 25:22; Romans 12:20). We wish no one ill which is why we, as Paul, persevere for the Kingdom of God knowing what awaits them – one way or the other. Thank you again for your email – please feel free to continue the dialogue. Blessings! Pastor Raker

Maise Lane, When two or more are in agreement with their prayer and petition to God, he will hear our prayer. The prognosis has been good so far. I join you in your prayer that Grace will be cancer free. God is the master physician. Continue to be strong and I am praying for God\'s healing for Grace. She sounds like an amazing young lady. Keep trusting in the Lord and may God bless your family.

I am praying for you, Nathan, and understand where you are as I was without employment for a quite a period some years ago too. First Corinthians 10:13 reminds us that God is faithful and will not test us beyond our ability to bear it and will provide a way out of the trial. This “way out” may mean a new and better job that comes up right away. It may also mean a lengthy period of unemployment during which God’s faithfulness in providing our daily bread is shown to us - which was my experience. Either way, I\'m praying for you both peace and provision.