Giving Thanks in 2024

Once again, we have reached the week of Thanksgiving. All month, I have seen a couple friends posting an item of thanks every day. I liked the idea, but inevitably forgot to do it and only posted a few times. Despite my forgetfulness, or distraction, I try to find reasons for thanks in any situation.

This year was my first in several years that I had serious medical issues. I am thankful to have been home for over a month and feel back to normal again. Throughout the process, I was thankful for first responders that were available when needed. Also, God's care was evident with providing caregivers that would listen to my family and I and learn my needs. My parents continue to be a large blessing in all that they do for me, including staying multiple nights in the hospital.

In August, my grandmother passed away at the age of 94. I am thankful for all the years God gave me with my grandmother and everything she and grandpa did throughout my life. I know many people never got to meet their grand parents, let alone have decades with them. Their memories continue to live in all of their family.

Most of all, I'm thankful for God's gift of salvation and sacrifice of His Son. As I grow older and continue studying God's Word, I increasingly realize my depravity of sin and need for forgiveness. I know there isn't anything I can do to pay for my sin debt. As Paul wrote, where sin abounds, grace abounds more (Romans 5:20).

When I see friends, and family, continue to reject God's gift and live in rebellion, it hurts my heart in knowing the fate that awaits them. However, I'm thankful I can continue to be a witness to them and pray that they come to Christ while they can.

Thank you to my readers for continuing to follow my random musings in the quad life. I pray that you have a great week and day of thanks!

Only 1% are saved?

Over the last few months, I have been asked the same question by very different people; "Will only 1% of people be saved?" Apparently, articles have been getting circulated that say 99.9% of people from all of history will go to hell. I tried looking for further information, but only found a paper from Australia in 2023 that pondered a quote from Charles Spurgeon. However, it's something that has raised concern and is an item I thought I would comment on.

First, the Bible does not give an exact number or reference on how many people God has, and will, save from hell. Revelation 7:4-8 does say 144,000 who will be receive God's seal, but keep reading. Verse nine says, "After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands."

In the Old Testament, we read lists of numbers of people from different tribes. When David ordered a census of the nation, the total number of men able to go to war was over a million. This is to say that the inspired writers of Scripture were quite capable of counting and listing large numbers. While the number is large, we also know it won't be everyone who has ever lived.

In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.” Modern evangelism and some "churches" teach that all roads lead to Jesus and it doesn't matter if you follow Mohamed, Mary, or Marxism. This has produced many people who claim to be Christian, but don't give any adherence to God's law. Just a few verses later, Jesus said "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." (John 14:15)

Matthew 7 warns that people who claim to follow Christ and do things in His name are not following Him or known by Him. Therefore, everyone must carefully examine themselves (2 Corinthians 13:5) and follow the narrow road that leads to God (Matthew 7:13-14).

Therefore, does that give an answer? No, not at all. We need to be careful to not put limits or numbers on God when they don't exist. Only those that have repented of sin and trust in Christ alone for salvation will be saved. We will never know what the total is, at least in this life, and should be incentive to continue reaching out to preach the gospel.

Challenges of Online Witnessing

I am always learning and figuring out how to do new things. In 2016, I finished the online School of Biblical Evangelism. It helped increase my faith and understanding of Scripture as well as how to reach out and share the gospel. Since then, I have opportunity to serve with outreach groups during the Iowa State Fair and locally. These times of service are great, but they're only a few days a year. What do I do for outreach the rest of the time?

One of the groups I've volunteered with has had more outreach opportunities in Iowa. Unfortunately, they are usually on a Saturday when I don't have help and several hours away from home. While I may want to join them, it doesn't work due to logistics. Some friends also have just gone out locally and will do things like read Scripture in the park, but that again is challenging with everything else. Therefore, I turn to other methods.

When I preach, the majority of my messages have some sort of gospel message where I present the law and need for repentance. Studies, and pastors, have shown that even those who regularly attend church have not necessarily come to saving faith in Christ. They are what some call "Sunday Christians," in that they act godly on Sunday morning, but the opposite the rest of the week.

The place I have the most opportunity to witness to Christ is online, but this is also the hardest. Most days, I will post a Bible verse, or two, on Facebook. I also give gospel references on my YouTube channel, but I haven't been as diligent about it as I should recently. Finally, I have a few atheist friends online that I correspond with and tell the truth about God. One particular is very hateful toward anything Christian and posts memes of all types attacking the Bible, Christians, or anything else. I do not respond to every one, but do some with a Bible verse or correction of some sort.

Unlike in person though, you can't discuss back and forth as easily and conversation can easily get off track. Other times, it can be a seemingly endless trade of links supporting both sides of a topic and "proving" the other one false. After 2-3 rounds, the conversation usually stops and another can start. Wherever it stops, or starts, I pray for wisdom and that the person I'm talking with will come to Christ while time allows.

I'm thankful God has allowed me to use this quad life to spread His Word. I continue to look for opportunities and learn what helps, and what doesn't.

Priorities

Every four years, Americans get the opportunity to vote for the next president, and other political leaders. For the last 2-3 elections, it seems each one has been the most pivotal moment for our country. They also have a way of making friends and neighbors become bitterly divided against each other.

Depending on your views and life circumstances, most people have different priorities. For some, it can be healthcare, others may see the economy, military, environment, or anything number of issues as important. Ever since I registered to vote, I have been registered as an independent. Therefore, I don't stand with a particular party, but evaluate each candidate on their priorities.

As a Christian, I base my thinking and decisions on the Bible and what God has said. Therefore, one top priority is protecting life at all stages, starting from conception. Unfortunately, the Democratic party has become very strong on supporting, and expanding, the murder of children through abortion. That alone cuts out votes for that party's candidates, but the Republican party is also becoming soft on this issue. This makes the line on one priority slightly blurred, but it's still pretty defined, for this year at least.

Most of my caregivers and I talk very little, if at all, about politics. It's not a subject I give a lot of attention and prefer it that way. Unfortunately, one caregiver, and especially her husband, are heavily into advocating for one party and the topic frequently comes up on her shift. It gets very uncomfortable to have someone be adamant for a candidate that goes against everything Christianity cherishes, while denying plain facts. In these days, I pray for peace, guidance, and clear thought to articulate views and back them up with information.

After Tuesday, America should know who has been chosen for president for the next four years. Whatever the result, we need to remember that God is King of kings and Lord of lords and all nations and leaders are subject to Him. Living the quad life allows me to interact with a variety of people and I pray that my influence, on any topic, points to Christ first.