. Laurel has chosen a quote on prayer from Donald S. Whitney. This week's quote is:
Then, I felt that tugging sensation that I get when God wants to teach me something. I began to read in Ephesians. I began to recall scriptures in the bible that confirmed the position of the world today. I began to recall my education in marketing and the tactics that we were taught. I began to see them displayed predominantly through the media and government.
1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
We have been sold abortion. We have been sold homosexuality. We have been sold public school educations. We have been sold mind altering substances. We have been sold the myth of separation of church and state.
Who sold it to us? The Media
What is the worst part about all of this? We bought it.
It happens so subtly that we don't even realize it. Saturation is the first step. Repeatedly
hearing and reading the same thing desensitizes you to it. It becomes
familiar and normal. For example, I once heard someone say that they are tired of hearing about the failing public school system. It doesn't even have an effect on them anymore. That is saturation. This is a very good tactic. Why? The media uses the negative publicity about matters to keep them just the way they are. They play
both sides of the coin to keep viewers happy (money, money). When they report about the failing school system it makes parents happy. However, they become so familiar with it that they no longer have a passion to change it. This makes the government happy.
Marketing is a psychological work of art. There is hidden agenda in all of it. Those who advertise burgers in lingerie are trying to mask their own guilt and doubts. The ever increasing thought of "well they are worse off than me" is something that fuels the need to corrupt others. Why? Because God has written His word on our hearts (Deuteronomy 6:5-7). We know without ever reading the bible what is right and what is wrong. The only thing that can ease this guilt is a true relationship with Christ but others try to medicate it by buying into the lie that others are worse than them so they can't be that bad.
I came face to face with abortion which is why I am so passionate about it. After being informed of my son's condition (dwarfism), the first thing the doctor said is, "You know you do have options." What? An abortion? That is not an option. That is murder!
A mother who has lost her child to a drunk driver will become passionate about preventing drivers from driving while intoxicated. She may have never thought of becoming involved before but now she has first hand knowledge of it's consequences.
A father who has to bury his 19-year-old son with the
Patriot Guard standing watch against
protesters is aware of the effect of the media. His son gave his life for his country, his family, his values, and he did it with honor. Yet, the media does not give him the proper respect.
A former homosexual who now realizes at 48 years of age that his need for male companionship had more to do with his non-existing relationship with his father and the media's glamorization of the lifestyle than it did with his sexual preference.
These are just a few stories. All of these people now know the effect the media plays in our society. They are manipulative and two-faced. Consider the stance on abortion; If a woman 'chooses' to kill her baby by abortion, even a week before her due date, that is acceptable and applauded. However, a person can kill a pregnant woman and if the baby dies as a result then they are charged with two murders. How is that? They play both sides.
For the record, I believe both are forms of murder and should be punishable by law. One of the biggest arguments for pro-abortionists is that women will have them illegally and in unsafe conditions if Roe vs. Wade were overturned. OK? And? They should go to jail. The mother and the doctor, or non-doctor performing the abortion. It would eventually stop.
So what can we do?
1. Become Aware
^ First, stay in God's word to know His will for our lives and for our world. Saturate yourself with His words so that they become familiar. God's words are much more
powerful than the media's. If you do want to stay informed about the news try a Christian news source such as
Worthy News or
Good News Now. Just Google
good news and many sites will come up.
^ If you are not yet passionate about something it may be because you have had no first hand experience with it. Visit an abortion clinic, sit in a public school classroom and watch what goes on, attend the funeral of a fallen soldier, Google 'killed by a drunk driver', talk to a former homosexual and ask them what made them think they were 'born that way'. It must be real to you. You must know that this is the truth.
2. Pray Without Ceasing
^ To pray without ceasing one must simply have a constant awareness of God's presence. God walks with us just as He walked with Adam and Eve. Acknowledge His presence by speaking to Him. Thank Him. Consider Him.
^ Set up mental reminders in your mind to remember to pray for certain issues. Some I use are that anytime I see a pregnant woman I thank God that she values the life of her child and then I pray for anyone considering abortion that day to choose not to. When I see camouflage I remember to pray for our soldiers overseas and for the media to stop dishonoring them.... and so on.
3. Be Proactive
^ There are many things that we can do without ever leaving our home. You can look on my blog at the far right column under "We Can Make A Difference" and you will find many links to organizations that stand up for God's Word. Join them. It is free and you will be making a difference.
^ Join a soup kitchen or become a tutor. If you ever watch the news or are in the middle of a conversation and you hear yourself say "They should do this" and "They should do that" then maybe YOU should do it. If you see a need try to get involved in meeting that need.
Ephesians 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
I encourage you to read
Ephesians today. God blessed me with much revelation about all of this when I read it this morning. I know it will bless you too!
Stumble it!
Don't these bugs look appetizing? ewe!
