offense

Evildoers are without hope. Let the truth offend, proclaim it boldly!

Posted on July 15, 2015May 9, 2016 by elizabethprata

Yesterday was a day of horror. I read about the Chicago Theological Seminary’s endeavor at the Chicago Pride parade and I was sickened and knocked out of my senses by what a “Seminary” is doing in the name of Jesus.

The news headlines even constrained in a 140 character limit are too much to bear these days. Never mind absorbing full headlines and the actual news. I thought that Chicago Theological incident would likely be the worst thing I would read that day.

I was wrong.

The horror continued with the revealing of a secret video of a Planned Parenthood executive having a casual discussion about a monstrosity she regularly performs. And I’m not talking about abortion, monstrosity as well that is.

I begged the Lord to have mercy on us.

Then my thoughts turned to Him, our precious Savior who came to save us from our sins. He is so pure, holy, and sinless, and yet He is so long-suffering and patient. Because if I am having this reaction to some vile and revolting news, then what of Jesus? I praised Him in tearful prayer for His restraint, His patience, and His mercy. We’re offended, but every sin that happens under the sun is an offense to Him and against Him.

He said in Luke 12:49 NASB, I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled!

His fervency to punish the wicked and right the wrongs done to His Father boils within our Savior. Knowing this makes seeing His mercy and restraint all the more wonderful.

There will come a day when fire will consume evildoers. It is up to us to tell the Good News until that Day. For many millions and billions are living daily in complete offense to God. They have no hope. Meanwhile, His anger builds.

But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. (Romans 2:5)

Political correctness cannot allow us to water down the message any more. There is a burning necessity of being bold and proclaiming the word in truth. Sinners need Jesus so badly, and we have only had a minor glimpse of the horrors of sins previously unrevealed and you can be sure there are worse to come. And this is with the Restrainer on earth. (2 Thessalonians 2:6)

In the end,
Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. (Luke 12:2).

I’m glad that by then we will be glorified and can take the amount of sin that is going to be revealed on the Day of Judgment in Wrath. But until then, my concern is for sinner of course, but my first thought (and yours should be) is of Jesus. We sin against Him and Him alone. (Psalm 51:4). His patience in enduring against these offenses Him is monumental.

If nothing else, the news should fire up Christians to evangelize in boldness. This is why:

offense

Student suspended for NOT stomping on Jesus

Posted on March 25, 2013 by elizabethprata

Florida Atlantic Univ. student claims he was suspended for not stomping on Jesus
A student at Florida Atlantic University has charged that his professor in intercultural communications class told the whole class to write the name JESUS in bold letters on a piece of paper, then drop the papers and stomp all over them. The alleged incident happened three weeks ago on the Davie, Florida campus of FAU, according to WPEC-TV. (Scroll down for the video.) Junior Ryan Rotela, a devout Mormon, is the student making the charge. “Anytime you stomp on something it shows that you believe that something has no value,” he told the South Florida CBS affiliate. “So if you were to stomp on the word Jesus, it says that the word has no value.” Some students stomped; others, including Rotela, didn’t. He said he told the instructor, Deandre Poole, that the assignment offended his religious convictions. Two days later, the junior alleges, he went to an FAU school official to express his unease with the assignment. The result? Rotela has been suspended from the class. An FAU official defended the decision, telling WPEC that the Jesus-stomping was part of a classroom exercise from a textbook: “Intercultural Communication: A Contextual Approach, 5th Edition.”

When’s the Allah-stomping class? Hmmm?

Later, the College apologized. They are not going to use this exercise anymore. The exercise really is from the textbook. The manual reads:

“This exercise is a bit sensitive, but really drives home the point that even though symbols are arbitrary, they take on very strong and emotional meanings. Have the students write the name JESUS in big letters on a piece of paper. Ask the students to stand up and put the paper on the floor in front of them with the name facing up. Ask the students to think about it for a moment. After a brief period of silence, instruct them to step on the paper. Most will hesitate. Ask why they can’t step on the paper. Discuss the importance of symbols in culture.”

There’s just one thing, though. Jesus is not a symbol. He is GOD. he is real, walked the earth as a man, and rose again to reign over our lives from His throne in heaven. He isn’t a symbol like a stop sign is a symbol. he is not a symbol like an alphabet letter is a symbol. Calling this “a bit sensitive” understates things. And would the textbook ‘dare’ to use Allah’s name instead? Of course not.

Luke 21:17 says, “and you will be hated by all because of My name.” The name of Jesus evokes anger, disdain, and hatred.

“They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.” (John 15:21)

cross airbrushed out, LSU, offense, photoshop

Christian football fans outraged after LSU airbrushes out crosses painted on their chests

Posted on November 4, 2012 by elizabethprata

This story from the end of October came to my attention this morning. The UK Daily Mail covers it-

“A group of Christian football fans at Louisiana State University has been left outraged after the college airbrushed out crosses painted on their chests in a picture it emailed to students. The ‘Painted Posse’ attends every Tigers home game with their bare chests painted with the team’s colours – yellow and purple – with a small cross added above their hearts. But in an email about the LSU game against South Carolina on October 13, the college included the picture but digitally erased the cross. The photo was otherwise untouched.”

Fans: The Painted Posse at Louisiana State University is a group of Christian football fans who paint their bodies with the school colours and include a small cross above their hearts

Above is the photo as it was taken

Controversial: But in a university email featuring the same picture, the crosses had been airbrushed out

Here is the photo with the crosses airbrushed out

These boys are known as the Painted Posse, and have been attending LSU games in this manner since they were students in 2003.

The University said,

“The university stood by its decision, which had been taken so as not to offend other students. ‘We don’t want to imply we are making any religious or political statements, so we air-brushed it out,’ LSU said in a statement. ‘Only one of the students, who didn’t appreciate it, actually contacted us about it. So next time, we’ll just choose a different photo.’

Though their photograph has been published many times before, this was the first time the University took steps to deliberately remove the “offensive” cross.

The cross IS an offense. The depraved minds of the people of the world are so blinded by hatred of Jesus that they will do anything to take the offense away from their sight. Offending other students or not wanting to appear religious is the excuse. The bible tells us the real reason is that Jesus is an offense. (Galatians 5:11).

Peter said in 1 Peter 2:7-8,

“So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”

They just don’t want to obey Him. They are more worried about offending rich alumni, other religious students, donors, parents, whoever, that they forget the One they should not offend is Jesus Himself!

I just wanted to let you know that the chasm between believers and non-believers is widening fast. Expect trouble. If you wear a Christian fish pin, or a cross, or carry a bible to work, pray before your meal in the employee cafeteria, expect someone to make a case about it. You may be asked to take off your pin. To stop praying in public. Anything. Study the Word now for the verses that the Spirit may lead you to respond with. Pray now for strength and clear eyes and open ears to make the decision the Spirit will lead you into.

The Painted Posse simply responded in Christ-like manner. They said they love Jesus and they love LSU. Their passion is proclaiming Christ and they will continue to do that. They don’t want an angry showdown with University officials, but one of the boys said he would love to see a campus full of crosses for the next game.

“The Alabama game is Nov. 3 and everyone needs to wear a purple or black shirt and wear a large cross, a shirt with a cross on it or face paint a cross on your face. The media will be everywhere and my goal is to have a campus of crosses.”

Maranatha!

They may try to Photoshop the cross out of existence, but as long as He lives in us, His light will continue to shine! Did they extinguish the Light in the first century martyrs? No! His light shone even brighter!

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs tells the tale of the blood-born battles to keep the faith alive. In one story, Foxe recounts,

“A Protestant gentleman being ordered to lose his head for not renouncing his religion, went cheerfully to the place of execution. A friar came to him, and said these words in a low tone of voice, “As you have a great reluctance publicly to abjure your faith, whisper your confession in my ear, and I will absolve your sins.” To this the gentleman loudly replied, “Trouble me not, friar, I have confessed my sins to God, and obtained absolution through the merits of Jesus Christ.” Then turning to the executioner, he said, “Let me not be pestered with these men, but perform your duty,” on which his head was struck off at a single blow.”

Or this story:

“Upon the day appointed, Lord Cobham was brought out of the Tower with his arms bound behind him, having a very cheerful countenance. Then was he laid upon a hurdle, as though he had been a most heinous traitor to the crown, and so drawn forth into St. Giles’s field. As he was come to the place of execution, and was taken from the hurdle, he fell down devoutly upon his knees, desiring Almighty God to forgive his enemies. Then stood he up and beheld the multitude, exhorting them in most godly manner to follow the laws of God written in the Scriptures, and to beware of such teachers as they see contrary to Christ in their conversation and living. Then was he hanged up by the middle in chains of iron, and so consumed alive in the fire, praising the name of God, so long as his life lasted; the people, there present, showing great dolor. And this was done A.D. 1418.”

The blood of Jesus makes a way for us to be reconciled to God, and the blood of the martyrs kept the light alive. Reading stories like these brings tears to my eyes every time.

I do not know what lay ahead for the brethren of our faith. The noose is tightening, we can see that. Photoshopped Painted Posse pictures are nothing compared to the blood shed in the Middle Ages nor the blood that will be shed in the Tribulation. But blood is being shed now, in Nigeria, in Egypt, in Tunisia. And in America, home of the free, the cross is seen to be increasingly an offense and a stumbling block. Who knows what tomorrow will bring for Christians in America? Nothing good, that is for sure.

Remember the martyrs, have faith in Jesus, and be ready for whatever private or small battle may come your way. It will likely happen suddenly, or from an unexpected quarter, like the Painted Posse suddenly being airbrushed for the first time, after all these years. So be ready to show Christ-like love and equanimity in the face of their anger and offense. This will heap coals upon their head. And above all, Jesus will be glorified!