Jesus Gives Peace

Posted on by josiahkagin

We live in very uncertain days! The recent news of the unprovoked terrorist attacks of Hamas on the people of Israel is both shocking and unnerving. I stand with Israel and unequivocally condemn the evil actions of Hamas. God promises to bless those that bless Israel, therefore it is vital that we do so in these days. “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3)

These times can create much fear in our hearts and fear is a powerful motivator. Whether it is the threats of global terrorism, our own struggles, relationship tension, job security or whatever is dominating your thoughts right now, we can be driven by our fears. Yes, our hearts are prone to fear, but Jesus desires to give us peace. Consider these words from Jesus Christ.

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

So how should we live in these uncertain days? How should we talk with our co-workers? How should we encourage our families?

  1. Listen to the words of Jesus and believe them. Be sure to read the Word of God each day, assemble in church for the preaching of the Word whenever the doors are open and let the Word of God direct and dominate your thinking. Be expecting His soon appearing to rapture the church. Titus 2:13 say,  “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”
  2. Seek Jesus Christ in prayer and gather with others to do the same. Philippians 4:6 tells us, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.“
  3. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Psalm 122:6 says, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: They shall prosper that love thee.” We understand that ultimately this is a prayer that they would accept the Prince of Peace as the Messiah — Jesus Christ. This is the need of the whole world!
  4. Think truth. In a world full of evil and corruption, it is very easy dwell on matters that cause us to be be despondent and depressed. Philippians 4:8-9 helps us know specifically how to think. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.“
  5. Communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ with the lost. 1 Peter 3:15 urges us, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”

Finally, in our recent trip to Israel, the Lord allowed us to meet and be blessed by the ministry of Joel Rosenberg. He is a born again Jew and currently lives in Israel. He is an author and host of the Rosenberg Report on TBN. He also is the founder of All Israel News. I have found their reporting at AllIsrael.com and on Joel Rosenburg’s social media updates on X to be helpful. 

May the God of peace give you peace as your trust in Him.

Prepared for Persecution

Posted on by josiahkagin

What happens in your heart when you hear of being persecuted for following Christ? Fear? Avoidance? Resolve? As Americans, we have not been accustom to facing persecution for believing in Jesus Christ, worshiping Him in our assemblies or sharing Christ in our communities. However, just because we do not have as much experience with it, does not mean that the persecution of believers is not happening around the world and even within our own country. Jesus finished the  beatitudes by helping his followers understand how to handle persecution. If believers live according to the truths Jesus preached in the sermon on the mount, persecution in some form must be expected.

Recently, research conducted by Family Research Council (FRC) indicates that criminal acts against churches have been steadily on the rise for the past several years, and the first quarter of 2023 has continued the upward trend. The first three months of 2023 saw approximately three times the number of acts of hostility perpetrated against churches in the same timeframe last year. The fourth quarter of 2022 saw an additional 54 incidents, for a total of 191 in 2022. In the first quarter of 2023, 69 incidents have already occurred.

As believers in and followers of Jesus Christ, we must be fortified to stand for Jesus no matter the cost. William Wolfe, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense at the Pentagon and a director of legislative affairs at the State Department, wrote, “Despite what some may claim, Christians are being persecuted in America. That might be hard to hear, but it’s true. Even though the United States is, arguably, the freest nation on the planet, and offers the First Amendment protection, Christians still face already-and-increasing persecution here between our shining seas. We need to recognize this and prepare for it to get worse.“

Let be reminded of several truths:

  1. Jesus promises a blessing for the persecuted. He gives divine grace and internal peace to endure through persecution. Jesus reassured His disciples before He went to the cross in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” We should remember that all the grace that we need to stand for Jesus will be ours in the moment. The greatest blessing we could receive is hearing “Well done, thou good and faithful servant…enter thou into the joy of thy lord.“
  2. Those that give their lives for Jesus Christ will receive the crown of life. Revelation 2:10 tells us, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.“
  3. Believers are commanded to pray for those in bonds for their faith. If we are to pray for them, we must know about them. There are many organizations that exist to raise awareness of Christian persecution around the world. Hebrews 13:3 says, “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.“

I have read many books detailing the brave faith of Christians for Jesus Christ. There are two that I would recommend for your consideration. Forward in the Face of Fear by Edgar Feghaly will challenge your heart about the power of God and the Gospel in difficult, hostile regions. The Insanity of Obedience by Nik Ripkins will open your eyes to the plight of our Christian brothers and sisters around the world.

I pray that our Savior will strengthen you to stand for His sake wherever you are and whatever you may face.

“May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

Two Moravian Martyrs

Historic Day

Posted on by josiahkagin

No doubt you have heard the news about the 6-3 ruling from the United States Supreme Court concerning Roe v. Wade. Many pro-life advocates have worked tirelessly for this day and it has happened in our lifetime! This is an answer to prayer and something for which we should give praise to our God.

The heathen will rage because righteousness and the fear of the Lord have been promoted in our land. Several thoughts have come to my mind today that I would like to communicate to you as well as share an informative resource.

  • The overturning of Roe v. Wade itself does not outlaw abortion. After nearly 50 years of the federally sanctioned murder of unborn human babies, the court has returned the decision to the states and the citizens of this country. Now it is up to states and citizens to see to the end of legalized abortion.
  • The overturning of Roe v. Wade does not change the hearts of men and women. Only faith in Jesus Christ can transform hearts from accepting the murder of the unborn for the sake of convenience to valuing every human life regardless of conception. According to God’s Word, it is not a fetus in the womb, but a human.

    “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” (‭‭Psalm‬ ‭139:13-14‬)

    “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5)
  • The overturning of Roe v. Wade does not change the fact that our country has a sin problem — fornication (sex before marriage) and adultery (sex outside of the covenant of marriage). Abortion was our country’s answer to “eliminating” the consequences of its sin. Again, the answer to this problem is Jesus Christ.

    “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” ‭‭(1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:9-11‬)

On this historic day, may we commit ourselves to prayer, being fervent Gospel witnesses as well as standing up for the lives of the unborn. The answer to e v e r y sin problem is Jesus Christ. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36) More than ever, our world needs this good news!

Download The History and Context of Pro-Life Laws in the States

Thanksgiving in 2020

Posted on by josiahkagin

As I consider the goodness of God in the midst of 2020, I am amazed. Yes, this year has been difficult, and, no, I do not have my head buried in the sand. I mean it when I say, “God has been good!” He has shown Himself more than able to overcome fear and bring peace. He has proven (again) that He is faithful even when disappointments mount. He has shown Himself to have all power against that which threatens. Allow me to give some specific praise to the Lord.

First, I want to thank the Lord for His salvation. The confident assurance of the forgiveness of all sin and eternal life is a blessing that is beyond compare. God provided this to me when I was twelve years old as I recognized my sinfulness, Christ’s righteousness, and accepted what He did for me at Calvary. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.“

Second, God’s protection has been real both spiritually and physically. I think of all that has happened in 2020. The Lord allowed my wife and me to travel to India and return right before all the lockdowns. He protected us on that trip as well as opened our eyes to the vast need of the Gospel in India. Throughout the year, whether in trips or day to day life, He has granted protection. “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: For thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8) Beyond the physical, there was spiritual protection. I cannot remember a season of life that had more intense spiritual warfare than this year. Yet, God has again proven Himself to be infinitely more powerful than the god of this world—who is a defeated foe. 1 John 4:4 reminds us, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 

Third, I have said that whatever brings us closer to God is ultimately a good thing. Well, the challenge of 2020 has been a good thing in this way. God has taught me (is teaching me) the importance of prayer. Prayer is a declaration of dependence upon God. I am learning just how true our Savior’s words were when He said, “Without me ye can do nothing.” 

Fourth, God saw fit to challenge me in my faith in a very meaningful and specific way this year. I was at a point where I thought I was going forward in faith, but my thinking and even my words were not faith-filled. I was living in respect of what I could see physically. God used a businessman to rebuke and encourage me in the matter of the fear of the Lord—living in respect of God, His holiness, and His ability. God cannot be put inside a box. He is not confined to work within the guidelines of what I have experienced, what I see, or how I think. Honestly, this is still a learning journey that I am on, but God has specifically worked in my life and I am thankful! I preached a message that flowed out of what God was doing in my heart entitled Those that Fear the Lord.

Fifth, I had been praying for a second vehicle. My family and I were getting by with one vehicle for several years, and it was getting to be very difficult. In September, the Lord answered that prayer specifically and provided a vehicle. This is a tangible thing, but I am thankful for a second vehicle!

Sixth, this year God has helped my son, Jason, with his speech impediment. God used our doctor, speech therapy, and the tireless efforts of my wife to help Jason begin to speak more clearly. It has been a huge blessing to watch him gain confidence as people can understand him as he talks.

Seventh, family is very precious. There have been times this year in the midst of all the chaos that the dinner table has been a place of refreshment. You might wonder how dinner with five littles can be refreshing. There is nothing like the carefree conversation and laughing of children. I thank the Lord for the blessing of family. I thank Him for granting my wife and me young hearts to raise for His glory. 

Eighth, I praise the Lord for my wife. This year has drawn us together so much more because this year has drawn us toward our Lord. I cannot express the blessing of a godly wife who continues to follow Christ. I have seen how her Shepherd has led and grown her in her faith and confidence. She is my best friend and my partner in the work of the Lord. I praise the Lord. 

Lastly, my church family is an unbelievable blessing to me. This has been a trying year for churches. However, we have experienced the grace of God together. God has used this year to draw us closer together. He has grown our faith. He has lifted us above fear and chaos to walk closer with Him. He has added to our number. He is opening hearts to His working and genuine Christian connection. He is restoring our broken and messy lives. It would be very hard to fully express how I feel, but I would not trade the world for the blessing of being a part of a church family that is growing together in the Lord.