Think Before You Share

It’s often been said, “Think before you speak.” As James 1:19 says, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” Nowadays with texting and emails, we should think twice before typing and posting something online. In the words of one pastor friend: “Put brain into gear before putting mouth/finger into action.”

Too many people quickly share stuff on social media without checking its veracity. As a result, hoaxes have circulated for years such as the “22 Christian missionary families that will be executed today in Afghanistan.” I have a policy not to forward any chain letter or meme and will block (but not unfriend) individuals who persist in sending me these messages.

One type of chain letter that can have negative consequences is those involving missing people. I’ve received messages with pleas such as, “If it was your child, you would want all the help you could get.” If it was my child and he/she was found, I wouldn’t want these messages to continue circulating. In recent months, many alerts appeared in my Facebook news feed with the appeal, “It takes seconds to share.” It also takes seconds to click the link provided to see if an alert has been updated. Most missing child reports I’ve seen online have already been resolved. 

Two days ago, a friend posted one that turned out to be seven years old. My investigation also found the above meme from the mother of that once-missing child. I don’t understand why some people keep resolved alerts posted on their Facebook pages. Not everyone takes time to scroll through all the responding comments to see a possible update. It’s better to delete the entire post. 

Another thing to keep in mind is that not all missing person alerts are legit. Some are posted by abusive parents and spouses who have court orders not to go near their estranged relatives. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has warned that sharing these photos may put lives at risk. Sometimes the "missing people" in these posts aren’t missing but hiding for their safety.

So think before you share. Better yet…Pray first! Then check for a location and date in the missing person report. If it doesn’t include these, contact the local police to confirm the report is real. Once again, God’s people should have higher standards when sharing information. 

“Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked.” - Exodus 23:7 

Wisdom for Witnessing

Street evangelism is a continuing education as long as one remains teachable. We can always learn new ways to approach people and how to handle objections. When certain situations don’t turn out well, it’s good to examine ourselves in case we can do things better next time. A few days ago, I had one of my most challenging experiences as a soul winner.

One afternoon while standing outside the missionary house I’ve been staying at, three boys were slowly walking by. Immediately, I thought of offering gospel tracts to the boys but had left them in the house. So I rushed inside to grab some tracts and then returned outside. As I started talking to the boys, four adults from across the street ran up to confront me. They were alarmed to see me running toward the boys. One man accused me of being a child molester. I replied, “I rebuke that false accusation in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” and then walked away.

I went inside the house but heard the four adults come onto the property. I returned outside and explained that I simply wanted to share the gospel with the boys. I admitted to a lack of judgment, apologized, and asked for their forgiveness. The one woman in the group calmed down a bit but threatened to call the police if this happened again. Two of the men were still fuming and spewed profanity at me. As I went back into the house, one of them followed me into the kitchen since the back door is usually left open during the day. I told this man I could call the cops on him for trespassing. He finally left me alone.

Although I was a bit shaken by this incident, another missionary who’s been my roommate reminded me that this was an attack of the devil. Still, this conflict might have been avoided had I remembered to follow these basic guidelines…

1. Always carry gospel tracts. 2 Timothy 4:2 says, “Be ready in season and out of season.” I once read that Ray Comfort has offered $1,000 to anyone who ever catches him without a tract even if he’s by a swimming pool. There are times when it’s best to just hand someone a tract without engaging them in a conversation.
2. Always be prayerful on who to approach with the gospel. Had I asked the Lord beforehand, He probably would have told me not to talk to the boys. It’s usually best to seek parental permission before witnessing to young children.
3. Be mindful of how gospel tracts are presented. I like giving million-dollar tracts to kids because they are very receptive to them. When I approached the three boys, I only had one money tract on me but kept having thoughts of getting more of those. Instead, I showed off the one money tract. One of the men who swore at me complained about it not being real. Jesus said in Matthew 10:16, “Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

Always remember we are in a war for souls. No matter how you share the gospel with people, there will be those who won’t like it. Nevertheless, Christians can minimize the amount of persecution against them by using wisdom and common sense.

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” - Ephesians 5:15-16

Children’s Day

Probably a question most kids ask is, “How come we have a Mother’s Day and a Father’s Day but no Children’s Day?” Many adults answer, “Every day is Children’s Day.” One time I noticed a Children’s Day on a calendar given to me for Christmas. I eagerly showed it to my parents wanting another day to receive presents. Our family observed Children’s Day only once. My dad simply gave me money to go bowling that day.

According to Wikipedia, Children’s Day is observed on different days in different countries. Children’s Day in the United States actually predates both Mother’s and Father’s Day. Many churches started it in the 1860s. Today there are Americans campaigning for Children’s Day to be a national holiday. They believe there are physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual reasons for children to have a special day of their own.

Psalm 127:3 (NLT) says, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” Those involved with raising and teaching kids should be careful not to abuse that responsibility. One Canadian province just passed the “Supporting Children, Youth and Families Act of 2017.” Don’t be fooled by the name of this law. The Ontario government now has the right to take away children from families that don’t accept their kid’s “chosen gender identity or expression.” 

A friend of mine in Ontario who has two little ones himself informed me a child sex offender was in charge of crafting his province’s sex-ed curriculum. Earlier this year, foster parents in Hamilton had two girls taken from them because they refused to tell the girls the Easter Bunny is real. Is it any wonder why our public education system has become so messed up? 

There are serious consequences for those who mislead our children from the ways of God. Jesus warned in Mark 9:42, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.” I pray that more parents, teachers, and social workers come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

“Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” - Matthew 19:14

An Open Letter to Daniel Heinrich

Dear Daniel,

I’m a missionary who has lived most of my life in Minnesota. While there’s no guarantee you will ever see this letter, I still felt inspired to write to you. My intent is not to bring additional shame and condemnation you’ve already experienced.

You probably felt some relief after confessing to the abduction and murder of Jacob Wetterling. It would be hard for anyone to have that on their conscience for 27 years. The date of Jacob’s disappearance (October 22nd) always stood out to me because that happens to be my sister’s birthday. I can’t imagine the horror of having a loved one disappear and not knowing their whereabouts for nearly three decades. The news reports I read about your plea agreement indicate you will spend at least 20 years behind bars. Regardless if you ever see freedom again, I want to share some good news with you. 

While there are angry people who want to see you suffer for eternity, God sees things differently. Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” None of us deserve to go to heaven. In case you’re not already aware of this, God sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross for our sins so that we won’t have to go to hell. Every soul is valuable to God…even yours.

If you’re remorseful for what you did, God can still use your latter years for good. Remember the “Son of Sam” killer who terrorized New York City in the 1970s? David Berkowitz became a Christian ten years after being incarcerated. To this day he ministers to fellow inmates. Jeffrey Dahmer was another serial killer who found the Lord but then had his life cut short by another prisoner. This is why we must always be ready for eternity. People from all walks of life die unexpectedly every day.

Skeptics may question “jailhouse conversions.” Others may feel justified for expressing hatred towards you. The Bible actually equates hate with murder (Matthew 5:21-22, 1 John 3:15). Jesus warned that He won’t forgive us if we won’t forgive others (Mark 11:26). Thankfully His grace and mercy are so much greater than man’s. It’s also worth pointing out portions of the Bible were written by men who committed murder such as Moses, David, and the Apostle Paul.

Certainly, I don’t condone the crimes you committed. There are consequences for lawbreakers especially when they traumatically impact the lives of others. Still, I pray that you give your life to Jesus Christ. He will receive you joyfully if you call out to Him. 

In the meantime, I will be praying for you as well as for the Wetterling family.

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” - 2 Peter 3:9

Whose Child Are You?

One song often heard during the holiday season is “What Child Is This?” A question many people need to answer for themselves is “Who’s Child Am I?”  

Sometimes while evangelizing, sinners tell me they are going to heaven because they claim to be a child of God. My hometown newspaper recently published a letter applauding Sen. John McCain’s declaration (regarding the Syrian refugee situation), “All of us are God’s children.” That inspired me to write a response pointing out this is not an accurate statement.

It’s true that all men “have been made in the similitude of God.” (James 3:9)  But not every person on this earth is technically a child of God. A man or woman who doesn’t become born again has Satan as their spiritual father even if they don’t believe he exists.

Look at this conversation Jesus had with the Pharisees in John 8…

39 They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” 

Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. 

40 But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God.  Abraham did not do this. 

41 You do the deeds of your father.” 

Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.” 

42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 

43 Why do you not understand My speech?  Because you are not able to listen to My word. 

44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

Jesus also said in Matthew 13:38-39, “The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels.”

Paul confronted a sorcerer named Elymas by calling him a “son of the devil.” (Acts 13:10) The Apostle wrote in Ephesians 2:2 that “the prince of the power of the air [Satan]…works in the sons of disobedience.” Among those works is murder. 1 John 3:12 says that Cain “…was of the wicked one and murdered his brother.”

You might say to yourself, “I’m not a murderer.” Maybe you never killed anyone (a popular reason people think they deserve to go to heaven) but 1 John 3:15 goes on to say, “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” Verse 9 from this same chapter says, “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” The Common English Bible clarifies in this verse, “Those born from God don’t practice sin because God’s DNA remains in them…”

Anyone can become a child of God by becoming a new creature in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). From that point on, he or she has the supernatural ability to “walk as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8)

Whose child are you?

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”  - John 1:12-13

Do Children Go To Hell?

As an evangelist, one false doctrine that really irritates me is professing Christians denying hell’s existence. It’s baffling how they can do this even after reading Revelation 20. One Facebook friend recently posted this photo and added the comment: “The concept of Hell, where people suffer and burn for eternity, is an outdated doctrine based upon fear used to control people in the Church. It should be relegated to the history books.”

The Bible itself is a history book. It includes accounts of people being tormented in hell. Look at what Jesus said in Luke 16...

22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 

23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ “

Because Universalists like to offer alternative definitions of Hades (an ancient Greek word for hell), I initially didn’t respond to my friend’s comment with Scripture. Instead, I posted this powerful quote from J. C. Ryle...

“Beware of manufacturing a God of your own: a God who is all mercy — but not just; a God who is all love — but not holy; a God who has a Heaven for everybody — but a Hell for none; a God who can allow good and evil to be side by side in time — but will make no distinction between good and evil in eternity. Such a God is an idol of your own imagination!”

My friend replied to the quote by bringing up a question that has come up when I’ve witnessed to people: Do children go to hell?

Last weekend at church, I heard an excellent teaching on the Great White Throne Judgment. The pastor pointed out that every person born has their name entered into the Lamb’s Book of Life. When a child reaches what’s often called “the age of accountability,” he or she must decide whether to be saved. That young person would have their name blotted from the Book of Life if they reject the gospel and later go to hell if they die without repenting. 2 Timothy 2:12 says, “If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.”

I heard one minister suggest the age of accountability could be 12 or 13 years old since that's when young Jews have their bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs. Personally, I believe that age can vary depending on an individual’s background and upbringing. A mentally handicapped person growing up in a godless environment might have a higher age of accountability than a preacher’s kid who heard the gospel all his life. 

Regardless of when the age of accountability is, parents still have the responsibility to “...not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4) One must speak the truth in love regarding what lies on the other side of eternity. The Great Commission includes a warning of condemnation to those who don’t believe the gospel (Mark 16:16). 

If children need to be warned of the consequences when they disobey rules set by their earthly father, shouldn’t they be made aware of the consequences for disobeying our Heavenly Father?

“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” - Matthew 25:41

A Pain in the Butt

Last Sunday a friend and I went to the Minnesota Vikings home opener against the New England Patriots. One key player was missing in action. Running back Adrian Peterson was deactivated for the game due to child abuse charges resulting from him using a wooden stick to punish his four-year-old son. After a brief activation by the Vikings, Adrian has now been banned from all team activities until his legal situation is resolved.

Seeing released photos of the cuts and bruises on Adrian’s son was disturbing even though that kind of corporal punishment is common in Texas where Adrian is from. Nevertheless, I pray Adrian will be redeemed from this incident because he’s cooperating with authorities plus he’s my brother in Christ. Last year I met the pastor of a church Adrian attended at that time.

In these days of political correctness, parents face increasing challenges with raising children. Unless your kids are homeschooled or enrolled in a Christian learning institution, they are likely bombarded with ideas contrary to Scripture. I would think twice about sending children to public schools that nowadays hand out condoms and teach it’s okay to have two homosexual parents.

The law has gotten more invasive in how we should discipline our children. Nearly four years ago, another parent in Texas lost custody of all three of her kids for spanking one of them! As part of a plea deal, Rosalina Gonzales of Corpus Christi was sentenced to five years probation, ordered to take parenting classes, and make a $50 payment to the Children’s Advocacy Center. Gonzales was told she wouldn’t get her children back from their paternal grandmother (who reported the spanking incident) until the court deems her “capable.”

I could agree with this decision if child abuse happened but the prosecutor described it as a “pretty simple, straightforward spanking case.” Gonzales didn't use a belt nor leave any bruises. During the sentencing, Judge Jose Longoria stated, “You don’t spank children today. In the old days, maybe we got spanked, but there was a different quarrel. You don’t spank children.” 

This judge should take time to open that Bible people in his courtroom swear an oath on (if they still do that there) and read the following verses…

“He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly.” - Proverbs 13:24

“Chasten your son while there is hope, and do not set your heart on his destruction.” - Proverbs 19:18

“Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him.” - Proverbs 22:15

“Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.” - Proverbs 23:13

“The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.” - Proverbs 29:15

I once heard a children’s pastor advise that we shouldn’t spank kids with our bare hands. He pointed out that hands are for holding and loving.  

When I was little and got mouthy with my mother, she threatened to take out a wooden spoon and occasionally used it on my behind. Certainly, I didn’t like the punishment but have to honestly say it worked. Frequent sittings in a “time out chair” would not have the same effect.

An American pediatrician once proclaimed we shouldn't spank our children. In his 1946 book “Baby and Child Care” Dr. Benjamin Spock wrote, “The American tradition of spanking may be one reason there is much more violence in our country than in any other comparable nation.” I totally disagree. We have since seen a dramatic increase in divorce, youth crime, and teen suicide.

In addition to disobedient children, I believe some of our politicians and judges who legislate from the bench could use a good spanking. Maybe that would stop them from passing laws and making ridiculous decisions that are ruining our society.

“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” - Hebrews 12:11