This is yet the latest assault against the revelation of natural law and Biblical law.  To give legal sanction to “same-sex marriage” is to further diffuse the traditional understanding of sexuality and redefine both motherhood and fatherhood.  For millennia, masculinity was inseparably associated with femininity.  One defined the other.  Masculinity could not be fully expressed without femininity and vice versa.  It was seen as a perversion of the natural order – to say nothing of the rebellion against Biblical revelation – for fatherhood to be associated with a male homosexual and motherhood with a lesbian.  This was a biological impossibility because there could be no “sexual union” between same-sex partners that would produce children.

According to the Bible, one of the primary purposes for marriage was to “…be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.”  Marriage was a spiritual-emotional-sexual union whereby the two people – a male and female, “…become one flesh” (Gen. 1:28; 2:25).   It is a biological and sexual impossibility for two homosexuals to “…become one flesh.”  They can participate in various kinds of sexual stimulation and activities – but they cannot have authentic “sexual union.”  Their sexual exploits are nothing more than passions that play around on the surface of their sexuality.  In the process, their masculinity or femininity is stifled and stunted.  While they may adopt children and call themselves “fathers” or “mothers,” it is a misnomer and a sham!  And it is a brazen assault against “Mother’s Day” this month and “Father’s Day” next month!

In previous generations, the word “mother” evoked much clearer understanding of roles and responsibilities.  She was a woman and wife who was solidly anchored in her home as her primary place of identity, fulfillment and ministry.  Today that is not the case.  Through extreme movements like the ERA, radical feminism and Gay Pride, there has been a growing hostility toward this traditional view of womanhood.  Women have been seduced, cajoled and intimidated out of the home to the degree that a “stay-at-home-mom” is the exception rather than the norm.  She is a feminine oddity.  The “modern woman” has largely given up being a “Home Engineer” in order to become a “working mom” or “Corporate CEO” in the secular world.

Sadly, materialism has become the greatest enemy of motherhood.  More and better “stuff” has become the illusive carrot-on-the-stick to seduce husbands and wives to buy into this “upward mobility” life-style that necessitates two paychecks.  And in this insatiable pursuit of more things, riches have replaced relationships as the greatest good in life.  Money and materialism have become the driving and defining forces of marriage and motherhood.

In making this move from the home, millions of mothers have traded in the highest, hardest and holiest calling on earth for one with far less spiritual, familial and social impact – not to mention emotional fulfillment.  As is so often the case, the “good” has become the enemy of the “best.”

I am certainly not saying that all wives and mothers should stay in their home all of their lives.  That is a simplistic reduction that the Bible does not support – as a study of the “Virtuous Woman” of Proverbs 31 reveals.  She was a multi-tasking woman of excellence inside and outside of the home – all with the blessing of God, her husband and her children.  But even in the case of this remarkable “super woman,” her home was still the center of all of her fruitful activity.  Love for her husband and children were her highest motivation.  She was not driven by some feminine frustration causing her to seek fulfillment and self-actualization outside her home.  Marriage and motherhood were the modus operandi for all she did.

So in our day and age when there is increasing confusion, division and apostasy about authentic womanhood and motherhood, Patt and I find the short little letter of First Peter especially timely.  I believe it is a much overlooked and underappreciated word from the Lord.  Because Peter used words like “submit…purity…reverence…holy…gentle…quiet spirit,” we largely reject this passage as archaic and irrelevant.  It is blown off as both out-of-date and out-of-step with our modern world that has “come of age” in these areas of feminine fulfillment.  The words that Peter used to describe the “Sisterhood of Sarah” are not words that we now positively associate with motherhood any longer.  We see them as weak, demeaning and anti-feminine.  They stifle and stunt feminine creativity.  They are characterized as bringing frustration rather than fulfillment to a woman.

Peter’s emphasis on an “inner beauty” that is not based upon “…gold jewelry and fine clothes” is also not in vogue with today’s woman that must be always “dressed to the nines!”  Outer beauty and “body beautiful” are portrayed in all the media as the feminine ideal – by anorexic models and movie stars who have been airbrushed of all wrinkles, blemishes, stretch marks or imperfections!  Thin and sexy have become the feminine models that few women can ever achieve and retain – not even the super models!

Unlike Abraham’s or Peter’s day, our day has become a time of artificial beauty based upon cosmetic surgery…breast implants…tummy tucking…and hip enhancement!  This form of “Botox beauty” cannot stave off the aging process.  Nor can the tsunami of cosmetics, creams, lotions & potions that women are awash in – keep them from getting old and looking old!  Regardless of the handfuls of drugs, pills, supplements and vitamins that women consume daily, they keep aging!  Wrinkles and aging spots appear at will.  And contrary to what the multi-billion dollar cosmetic industry promises, there is no fountain of youth this side of heaven!  We left that inside the Garden of Eden when we turned away from the “tree of life.”

For me to even suggest that these verses in First Peter are relevant for Mother’s Day will seem ludicrous to the majority of women, wives and mothers.  To call someone a “Sister of Sarah” today would not be deemed as a very high compliment!  Regardless, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter exalts Sarah as a model of femininity for all time – whether in Abraham’s day, the First Century or the Twenty-First Century.  But only when she is portrayed and understood holistically.

It is also timely to remember that First Peter was written to encourage Christians – both men and women, who were facing various kinds of persecution because of their faith in Christ.  This short letter was written around 64 A.D. during the time of Nero’s vicious persecution against Christians.  And modern day Neros are increasingly harassing and persecuting Christians in America and worldwide.  Hostility and persecution toward Christians and Biblical values is the politically correct agenda of the day.

So I believe that Peter’s message is increasingly relevant in a time when “political correctness” is seeking to turn the tides of popular opinion against the Biblical view of masculinity, femininity and marriage.  And President Obama has just added his affirmative voice to the assault against marriage and motherhood!

Therefore, there is much in First Peter to comfort and instruct Christians in any age…in any country…in any culture who are experiencing persecution for their faith in Christ.  But I want to specifically focus on Peter’s words of instruction to women and wives.  For Father’s Day next month, I will focus on men and husbands.

By inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter gives us a number of spiritual qualities of the woman who wants to be a “Sister of Sarah.”  In the Bible, Abraham is called the “man of faith” because he put his faith in God in the midst of a confused, pagan and hostile society (Gen. 15:6; Gal. 3:6-9).  And if Abraham is known as the “man of faith” then Sarah should be known and respected as the “woman of faith!”   I say that because of at least 10 characteristics I see in her life from this passage.  I hope you will find them a timely “Mother’s Day Card” as I briefly (!) highlight them below…

10 Characteristics

SALVATION

After introducing himself, Peter addressed his hearers as “…God’s elect, strangers in the world…chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood…”  (I Pet. 1:1-2).

We can clearly see, then, that this was a message from the Triune God of Father, Son and Holy Spirit to Christians.  Each member of the Godhead had played a part in their salvation because they are…

…Chosen by God
…Sanctified by the Spirit
…Redeemed by the blood of Christ

Peter also addressed them as “God’s elect” who are “strangers in the world.”  And because they had become strangers and aliens to this world’s system (2:11), they were also “…scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia.”  So they were saints who were saved by God…strangers to the world…and scattered because of persecution.  Those same words will increasingly describe Christians in America in the months and years to come – if we live as “strangers and aliens” in our society. 

The saints that Peter was addressing were probably from a non-Jewish, pagan background since he briefly reminded them of the “…empty way of life handed down to them from their forefathers” (1:18).  He further reminded them that had “…spent enough time in the past doing what pagans chose to do – living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry” (I Pet. 4:3).  That would not have been the way he would have described Jewish converts to Christianity who had been privy to the “Laws and Prophets” of God.

This was a message to Christians, not to non-Christians.  As such, it would only make sense to those who were spiritual through the New Birth.  That’s why the Apostle wrote:

“The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned” (I Cor. 2:14).

So if these words do not make sense to you and offend you, perhaps you are reading someone else’s mail!

In Chapter 3, Peter moved from a general address to the persecuted church, to a specific message for Christian wives wherever they were dispersed:  “Wives,” Peter wrote, “in the same way be submissive to your husbands…” Therefore, he was now speaking to saved wives, not to non-believing wives.  And it is obvious that some of these wives were living in non-Christian marital relationships where they were being abused and persecuted because of their faith in Christ.

So the very first and most important characteristic of a “Sister of Sarah” was that she was saved.  If she had been, then she was chosen by God, redeemed by Christ, and was being sanctified by the Holy Spirit!

Remember then, salvation is the door through which you discover your true femininity!  No female can ever be fully woman outside of Christ.  Every woman is incomplete without Christ.  She’s half a woman.  It is only through salvation that she begins to discover her true identity.  That’s why Paul said: “…in Him you have been made complete” (Col. 2:10).  That journey to complete femininity is the journey of all true “Sisters of Sarah.”

SUFFERING

As I mentioned above, Peter used a telling phrase when he said to wives: “…in the same way,” or “Likewise, you wives…”  That phrase brings us to the obvious question, “What was Peter referring to?”  To answer that, we must go back to the preceding verses where he was talking about those who suffered unjustly.

First of all, Peter addressed those who suffered as citizens because they lived under unjust political rulers, like the paranoid Nero. (I Pet. 2:13-17)

Secondly, Peter addressed those who suffered as slaves, or as employees, because they worked for unjust bosses, or employers who were not believers. (I Pet. 2:18-20)

Then Peter points to the greatest example in human history of unjust punishment and suffering – Jesus Christ. (I Pet. 2:21-25)  Listen to what Peter said about Christ’s suffering – and ours:

“…if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.  To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps”  (I Pet. 2:20-21).

So Peter said to wives:  “Just as Jesus suffered unjustly, you may have to suffer unjustly!”  But as you do suffer, look down and see the footprints of Jesus who walked that path before you.  So do not lose heart but “…follow in His steps.”

How are we to respond when we face unjust suffering?  Just like Jesus responded!  Listen to Peter’s challenging words:

“When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats.  Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly”  (I Pet. 2:23).

Then Peter said, “Wives, in the same way…” (I Pet. 3:1).  But why were some of these wives suffering?  Because they had become Christians and their husbands had not.  What is the Christian wife’s response supposed to be to a non-Christian husband?  This points out our next spiritual characteristic of a “Sister of Sarah”…

SUBMISSIVE

“Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands…”  (I Pet. 3:1a).  The very mention of the word “submission” is a complete turn-off in our society today!  It is an odious word that is filled with a lot of negative association – much of which is deserved as a result of unbiblical and unbalanced interpretation and application.  But the abuse of the word through carnality and immaturity does not justify hitting the “delete” key and eliminating the word from the Bible.  Nor do we have the freedom to adjust our theology of marriage by replacing the principle with an egalitarian position that freely interchanges the role of masculinity and femininity.

As I stated in my introduction, the Bible teaches the absolute equality of the sexes.  One is not superior to the other.  But the moment the word “submissive” is used in the same sentence with “wife” – it denotes inferiority.  It is twisted to mean subservient…slave…doormat! 

That is not the Biblical position at all.  That is an unscriptural characterization.  This word does not mean that the woman is inferior – or that she is a slave with no rights!  It just means that she is to submit to the role and responsibility that God has assigned for her as a woman and wife.

In the very same way the Bible teaches that the husband and wife are to “…submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Eph. 5:21).  In addition, the Bible teaches that the husband is to submit to Christ as his spiritual Head (I Cor. 11:3).  As such, the husband is to love his wife like Christ loves His bride the church – which was to suffer and die for her (Eph. 5:25)!  So submission is not just an attitude that women and wives are to live by.  Submission is the life-style of every believer – married or not!

Therefore, God has sovereignly assigned certain roles and responsibilities to both the man and woman…husband and wife…fathers and mothers.  The role of the husband is to be the servant-leader and spiritual head of the family.  The role of the wife is to be submissive to his headship and authority in the areas God has assigned to him.  Obviously, most wives do not have a lot of problem with submission if her husband is loving…kind…sensitive…thoughtful…helpful – and a good strong spiritual leader!

But what if he is not?!  What then?  How is she to respond?  Is she to rebel?  Should she be filled with anger and bitterness?  Should she fight back?  Should she dig in her heels?  Should she manipulate?  Should she nag?  Should she take on a life-style of passive-aggression?

NO!!!  Peter says that she is to submit – even if it means suffering!  How can a wife do that?  Only through the grace and power of Jesus Christ!

The Lord Jesus experienced the very same unjust suffering when He was here – and He was perfect…sinless… guiltless…innocent!  None of us can ever claim that!  As Peter says:   “For you were like sheep going astray…”  (I Pet. 2:25).  So we have to admit that much of our suffering is self-induced.  It is the direct result of our sin!  By contrast, Jesus “…committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth” (I Pet. 2:22).  And in spite of His perfect innocence, He suffered unspeakably!

So what did Jesus do when He suffered unjustly?  “…He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly”  (I Pet. 2:23).

He did not focus on the situation – He focused on God!  He did not entrust Himself to the situation – He entrusted Himself to God!  He did not entrust Himself to man’s judgment – He entrusted Himself to God’s judgment!  Christian wives must do the same thing.  Jesus looked past the suffering to His Father.

Therefore, He submitted to the suffering through His submission to His Father!  Christian wives can do the same thing – but only through His strength as she “…follows in His steps”  (I Pet. 2:21).  That’s the path that “Sisters of Sarah” are seeking to walk.

SELF-CONTROLED

Peter went on to say to Christian wives who were facing unjust suffering:

“…be submissive to your husbands SO THAT, if any of them (unbelieving husbands) do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives.”  (I Pet. 3:1b)

Note that causal phrase: “…so that.”  Peter reminded them that there was a purpose…a goal…an end game for their submission to God through submitting to their husbands.  Rather than argue…quarrel…fight…or become passive aggressive – be self-controlled rather than being “out of control.”  Don’t yell or rant and rave at him – live your faith out quietly before him!  Let the Holy Spirit do the talking to his heart as he watches your Christ-like response to him.  Wives can never convict their husbands.  She cannot be his conscience.  That is a role that only the Holy Spirit can play. (Jn. 16:8)

Peter encouraged the wife to submit and suffer in silence “…so that…they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives.”  Peter reminded these wives that if their husband was “disobedient to the word’ through his attitudes and actions, she should not be “disobedient to the word” through her attitudes and actions!  He exhorted the wives to let their beliefs be seen through their behavior – starting with submission!

Obviously, the only way a wife in the First Century or Twenty-First Century can do that and be that is by being self-controlled through being spirit-controlled!  In her sinful, selfish nature she has neither the desire nor will to submit to either God or her husband.  Likewise, her sinful, self-serving pagan husband has no desire or will to submit to Christ.

The call to face unjust suffering in life – whether as a Christian citizen, slave or wife – requires a supernatural response rather than a natural response!  The only way she can keep from being “out of control” during times of unjust suffering is by being “under Spirit control!”

But I do not think that this admonition to suffering can be pushed to the extreme of a tolerance for wife abuse or child abuse.  Whether it is physical abuse or sexual abuse, the wider context of this passage and the rest of the New Testament would not support such an unbalanced interpretation.  After all, Peter immediately turns from the wife’s role to that of the husband when he says:

“Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are joint heirs with you of the grace of life, SO THAT your prayers may not be hindered” (I Pet. 3:7; ESV).

No husband is “…living with his wife according to understanding” while abusing her.  He’s living in masculine and macho ignorance!  It is impossible to “…honor your wife” and abuse her in any way at the same time.  During the time when this was written, women were often seen as little more than chattel…beasts of burden…and sex objects that could be used and abused at will.  That’s still the plight of women today in many countries, cultures and religions.  Not so in Christianity!  The wife is an equal …joint heir” with the husband in every way.  And for a husband to live in ignorance and disobedience to that nullifies his prayers!  God will not answer the prayers of an abusive husband!

One of the reasons that God established governments was to punish evil.  That’s why Peter begins this whole section by saying that God ordained governmental authority “…to punish those who do wrong…” (I Pet. 2:14)  And Paul further emphasized the role of the government in wielding the sword “…to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” (Rom. 13:1-5)

So a woman who is in a chronically abusive situation may have to look to her government for legal intervention.  But a Christian woman first turns to her church for intervention and discipline by the elders.  While divorce should not be her first option, she may have to separate from an abusive husband for a time for her own protection and that of her children.  All of this requires great wisdom through the Word of God and Spirit of God for the woman of God.

So a “Sister of Sarah” is a woman who is self-controlled through being Spirit-controlled.

SENSITIVE

We can further see that a “Sister of Sarah” must also be sensitive.  She must be sensitive to her husband…his nature…his needs.

As a man himself, Peter writes:  “…your husband…may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and respect of your lives”  (I Pet. 3:2).

One of the single greatest needs of every man is to receive respect – especially from his wife!  It is a wise woman and wife who understands this deep emotional insecurity and need in a man – and knows how to respond to it!

Women and wives need to remember this basic principle about masculinity:  A man is vulnerable to a woman who will show him true respect!  Understanding that, Peter exhorts the Christian wives who are married to unbelieving husbands to show him respect – even if she has to do so by faith!  If she does so, God will use her Christ-like attitude to draw him spiritually closer to her – and eventually to Christ.

Once again, this means that a wife is to respect the office or position of a husband – even when she cannot respect the man occupying that marital office. 

That’s why Peter started this whole discussion by dealing with Christians who were living under non-Christian government leaders.  “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake,” Peter says, “to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by Him…” (I Pet. 2:13-14)

Christian citizens often have to walk the delicate balance between respecting and submitting to various offices of government when they do not respect the person holding that office – which is my challenge right now with President Obama!  I totally disagree with his recent stance on “same-sex marriage.”  But I still have to respect the office when I do not respect the man carrying the title of President!  While I can and will disagree with his position, I cannot and will not defame the Office of President.

In marriage, wives have to often do the same thing when married to husbands who are not walking worthy of the marital title they are carrying as men.  And that requires a lot of spiritual sensitivity for every “Sister of Sarah!”

SATISFIED

Next Peter exhorts wives to learn to be satisfied with themselves.  In essence, Peter is encouraging women and wives to learn to accept themselves and love themselves.

Any female who is dissatisfied with herself and insecure with who she is as a woman, wife and mother will always tend to put too much emphasis on externals.  Her insecurity on the inside will cause her to overly emphasize the outside.  If she is not happy and content with the “inner woman,” it will be manifest through her preoccupation with the “outer woman.”  Insecure women and wives always try to “cover up” their sense of insecurity and inferiority by excessive make-up, costly coiffeurs, fancy clothes and expensive jewelry.  They constantly try to make a “fashion statement” through how they dress.  This is not a new phenomena.  It was just as true in Peter’s day as in our day.  So Peter exhorts these new Christian wives with these wise words:

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.”  (I Pet. 3:3)

Certainly God wants a woman and wife to do all she can with what He has given her to be as attractive as possible.  After all, the Bible speaks of the true and living God as the perfection of beauty (Ps. 27:4; 90:17; Isa. 33:17, etc).  And the Song of Solomon overflows with words of praise for the beauty of his lover!   Because men are created in the image of God, we all love beauty and are attracted to it!  We want our wives to look as beautiful as possible.

However, too much emphasis on external beauty is a sign of feminine insecurity.  It is a superficial “cover up” for deeper things – and magazines and TV and advertisers know this and appeal to those feminine insecurities in all of their ads!

So don’t fall into the trap of putting too much emphasis on the external woman to the neglect of the internal woman.  True beauty is from the inside out.  Authentic beauty is more than just skin-deep.  It is spiritual by nature and radiates from a quiet and content spirit.  It is the distinguishing beauty mark of the “Sisters of Sarah.”

SPIRITUAL

Peter continued this thought as he went on to say that every true “Sister of Sarah” must learn to put her emphasis on the development of “inner beauty” rather than on trying to develop and maintain “outer beauty.”

“Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight”  (I Pet. 3:4).

The Bible teaches that the “…outer man/outer woman is wasting away.”  (II Cor. 4:16 NASB) Personal experience teaches us the same thing!  At 70, I am more aware of the truth of those words every day.  Every reflection of myself in the mirror reveals the unstoppable aging process!

Therefore, when we place our emphasis on maintaining outer beauty, we are ultimately fighting a losing battle!  As I have already written, there are not enough cosmetics to keep us from aging…growing old…getting wrinkled!  And there are no man-made cosmetics that can make the “inner woman” beautiful in the sight of God!  Only the cleansing blood of Jesus and the indwelling Holy Spirit can make a woman “beautiful in God’s sight!”

The Bible tells us that Sarah was physically a very beautiful woman.  Other men besides Abraham desired her because of her physical beauty – which almost cost Abraham his life! (Gen. 12:10-20; 20:1-18)  However, God was more interested in developing an “inner beauty” in Sarah, than sustaining an “outer beauty.”  That’s because ”outer beauty” is only for a few short years at best – but “inner beauty” is for eternity!

This poses an important question for every Mother’s Day: “Which beauty are you trying to develop?”  Where is your priority and emphasis?  Who are you trying to look beautiful for – people or God?  Are you more concerned with developing beauty in the eyes of man, or beauty in the eyes of God?  While true “Sisters of Sarah” want to do all they can to be attractive and appealing to their husbands, they want most of all to be beautiful in “God’s sight.”

SCRIPTURAL

In order for the physical not to overshadow the spiritual, Peter reminded the “Sisters of Sarah” that they must increasingly be Scriptural in their perspective and outlook on life.  They must not let the world around them script them and their femininity.  Their hope must not be in external beauty which not everyone can achieve, but in internal beauty – which is available to every woman through the Spirit.  Peter’s words are a timely reminder that every woman either has a worldly hope or a Biblical hope:

“For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful…” (I Pet. 3:5)

It is important to note here that the Biblical word for hope means “confident expectation.”  When we put our hope in the cosmetics of the world to produce an external beauty, we will eventually be disappointed.  It ultimately leads to hopelessness.  That external beauty will fade with age.  In time, no amount of cosmetics can make you look young and sexy.  But inner beauty never fades.  It only grows more beautiful over time.  This kind of beauty doesn’t grow old, it only grows deeper!  It radiates from the inside out.  It is rooted in the spirit rather than in the flesh.  That’s why Patt is more beautiful to me than ever!  Her spiritual beauty makes her external beauty even more radiant!

So when a woman puts her emphasis and hope on the “outer woman,” she puts her hope in man.  She hopes to impress…allure…attract…seduce him!   As she ages, she will ultimately lose hope in her femininity and desirability – because men will disappoint her.  But when she puts her emphasis on the “inner woman,” then she puts her hope in God and becomes more beautiful every day.

Notice that Peter said that the “…holy women of the past…made themselves beautiful.”  Most women put on their own make-up each day…style their hair…pick the clothing to wear that enhances their femininity.  It takes effort – but we husbands really appreciate the effort! 

In the same way, a Christian woman and wife need to put forth effort to “…make herself beautiful” spiritually.  Through prayer, Bible Study, worship, fellowship – she can do her part in “…making herself beautiful.”  Those are the “Christian cosmetics” for the spirit.  They are some of the “means of grace” that she can employ daily to enhance her spiritual beauty.  As she “puts on her make-up” and clothing each day, she should also “…put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph. 4:22-25)

A worldly woman puts back on her “old self” every day because she has nothing else in her spiritual wardrobe!  Her most expensive “designer clothes” cannot cover up her spiritual death.  So she continues to put her hope in man…in externals…the latest fashions…in “outer beauty.”

But a holy woman puts her hope in God.  She is far more concerned with the development of her  “inner beauty.”  She is increasingly focused on the internal and eternal rather than the external and temporal.

Here is an important Mother’s Day question:  “Where is your hope focused?  Do you have a man-centered hope, or a God-centered hope?”

Sarah and other godly women of the Bible, “…put their hope in God.”  I challenge you to put your hope in God also – not in man-made beauty aids, styles or jewelry.  Instead, join Sarah’s Sorority by putting your hope in God!

SEXUAL

When you study the Old Testament background of what Peter wrote about, you can clearly see the sexual implications for marriage:

“They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master…”  (I Pet. 3:5-6).

The situation Peter referred to goes back to Genesis 18.  The Angel of the Lord had visited Abraham to announce that Sarah would conceive and bear a child – even in her old age.  This was humanly impossible and totally inconceivable to Sarah since she was 90 years old!  You don’t see any ninety-year-old mothers then or now!

So when Sarah overhead this angelic prophecy from her place inside the tent, the Bible says that she “…laughed to herself as she thought, ‘After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?’”  (Gen. 18:12)

The word here for pleasure means:  “delicate, delight, enjoyment, pleasure.”  Here is one of the many places in the Bible here we can see God’s very beautiful and positive perspective on sexual relationships within marriage between a male and female…man and woman…husband and wife.  Same-sex relationships can experience passion – but not authentic pleasure!  That’s because it is a spiritual experience that is manifest in the physical and sexual.

Sarah spoke of her sexual relationship with Abraham in terms of “pleasure” – not shame or pain!  Sexual relationships within marriage are sanctified and purified – and therefore holy!  According to the Bible, sex is spiritual by nature.  It is far more than just a physical act – which animals can do as well as humans!  But since “God is Spirit” and the author of sexuality, it has His nature – spirit.  Sexuality was never supposed to be divorced from spirituality.

That tragic perversion and inversion took place as a result of sin.  Selfishness took over and redefined the nature of sex.  It became “self-centered” rather than “God-centered” and “spouse-centered.”  The spiritual dimension was taken out of the sexual relationship between men and women.  As a result, the greatest pleasure and fulfillment were lost.  And they can only be restored when there is a new union between the spiritual and the sexual.

We can see in the Bible a very positive picture of sexual love between a man and wife – even in old age!  Our society has relegated passionate sexuality and sensuality to the young and virile.  As a result, it is perceived that sexual pleasure is something we age out of.  But that’s a fantasy.  While frequency of sexual expression may be less frequent, it need not be less passionate or pleasureful.  That’s one of the beauties of being an authentic “Sister of Sarah” who never ceases to enjoy pleasure.  She has come to realize that her femininity is greater than her sexual capacity.   Her sexuality is more than her sensuality because of her spirituality.

Finally, “Sisters of Sarah” are women who are…

STRONG

Peter’s final words of exhortation and encouragement to these wives he was addressing was that they be spiritually strong.  He reminded these Gentile women: “You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.”  (I Pet. 3:6b)

This is a timely reminder that fear is every woman’s greatest enemy!  It is the first negative emotion recorded in the Bible.  And fear always causes us to hide from God…hide from ourselves…hide from our spouses (Gen. 3:10).  As such, fear is both man and woman’s most persistent, lifelong enemy!  Fear constantly attacks our faith!

You see, it takes great spiritual strength to continue to “…do what is right” when others around you – especially your husband – is “doing what is wrong!”

Peter reminded them that as Christian woman and wives, they must be committed to “…do what is right” regardless if everyone around them was making wrong choices.  That takes strength.  And not just physical strength – but spiritual strength that comes from the power of the Holy Spirit.

What wives usually do when they are in these kinds of stressful situations is to “…give in to fear.”  They tend to let their faith falter and let their fears take control.  They fear that things will never change.  So they take things into their own hands.  If their husbands are “disobedient to the word,” then they will do the same.  They follow his lead further down the path of marital disobedience.  This soon leads to a “double drowning.”

Peter reminded these wives not to focus on the circumstances around them…the disobedience of their unbelieving husband…their own ability to make things happen…their own physical beauty as their hope to seduce and change him.  To do so was a sure feminine receipt for failure because they would ultimately be overcome by fear!  So Peter encouraged them to look beyond their husbands and look to God as their Divine Husband and Lover of their soul.

The Bible reminds us that there is only one cure for fear – and that is FAITH!  You must have faith in God’s unconditional love and unremitting concern for you.  You must rest in the assurance that regardless of what you have to face or go through, His love will never leave you or let you down!

The key verse here to stake your life and marriage upon is:  “There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear…” (I John 4:18).  So Peter encourages them by saying: “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened” (I Pet. 3:14).

Faith makes you strong – while fear makes you weak.  Fear causes a woman to “hit the panic button” or fall into the deep, dark hole of despondency and depression!

If you focus on your husband…on yourself…on your circumstances – I can assure you that fear will overcome you!  And when fear overcomes you, your circumstances will also overcome you!  But as John said: “This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” (I Jn. 5:4)

So, “Sisters of Sarah,” focus on faith this Mother’s Day!  Focus on God and His unconditional and eternal love for you – and fully accept it by faith.  If you do, you will be a true “Sister of Sarah” who is “…strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.”  (Eph. 6:10)

CONCLUSIONS

Women and wives, if you will allow these promises and principles to control your thinking and acting, God will truly mature you into a “Sister of Sarah!”  You can join her eternal sorority by faith.  Those are  the only dues that are required.  And membership is not just for time – it is for eternity!

Peter reminds us that our homes…our churches…our world, need to see more “Sisters of Sarah” and less “Sisters of Society!”  We need to see more “women of God” rather than “women of the world.”

We need to see women who place their greater emphasis on “internal beauty” rather than “external beauty.”  We need more “Sisters of Sarah!”  As Peter wrote, to become a “daughter of Sarah” is a Mother’s Day gift to your husband and children that will last forever! 

Happy & Holy Mother’s Day!

JL

PS:  Please feel free to pass this “Mother’s Day Card” from Peter on to other women, wives and mothers you know. 

Also, we have just received a couple of urgent needs that I hope you will be able to help us with through a special “Mother’s Day Gift.”

Sister Sarita Pradhan, who is the mother to our 20 children at the Bethany Children’s Home for Bhutanese and Indian children has been hospitalized.  She has been transported from the Bhutan border to the Holy Palace Hospital in West Bengal, India.  Any gift to help us with her medical expenses will be deeply appreciated.

Stakwell Yurenimo just wrote me to say there has been a storm, heavy rains and floods that have completely washed away a Turkana village we had been ministering to for several years.  The pictures below are from some of our happier visits.

These pictures show the village completely gone, the 400 people homeless, the children naked.  Their animals were also washed away.  The only food was a donkey head they were roasting!  Think about that as you enjoy a sumptous Mother’s Day dinner!  Stakwell is asking for $3,000 - $5,000 to buy blankets, food, cooking utensils and to build shelters for these people.  So any gift to these destitute mothers and children will be so timely and appreciated.  And you can give on line to speed your gift to us so we can immediately send funds to Stakwell.

The washed away village; Stakwell visiting the camp; Naked women and children; A donkey head being roasted for food

Together we can complete this work before the monsoon season comes this summer.  And you can give by Credit Card on line more quickly so we can deploy the funds more quickly.  Thanks for the privilege of sharing this timely mission opportunity with you.

In His Faithful Love,

JL

PS:  A report will soon follow this one on the regular ministry into Bhutan that takes place from the BCH.  Be watching for that report.

Markus, CFO for the BCH stands beside the new 'Solar Hot Water System' beside the old wood and metal kitchen roof; The Kitchen after the wood & metal roof were removed due to termites; Framing for the new cement roof for the Kitchen; Rebar is put in place for the new cement roof.

Rebar is tied and prepared for the pouring of the cement; Plastic is put in place as a moisture barrier; The new cement roof and overhand for the Kitchen – which will last for decades; All of the cement for the roof will be mixed like this by hand and carried up ladders to pour into the frame.

The traditional way of mixing cement in most underdeveloped countries that do not have concrete plants; In India it is the women who do most of the carrying of the pans of cement on their heads to pour a floor or roof; Then men are the masons who work the cement as it is poured pan-by-pan; While this is somewhat labor intensive, it does provide daily wages for the workers

The strong cement roof is now poured and completed – followed by 21 days of curing!

TENT CITY

But the Lord is building His church there.  I told the story in an earlier email after my first visits there and preaching in the 'tent church.'  So it was a joy to return and see that the church had quickly overgrown its capacity to the degree that a larger tent was erected – which is also already overflowing!  So we praise God for this partnership ministry with Pastor Esperandieu Pierre and his Nehemiah Vision Ministry (NVM) that is making such a practical difference among these earthquake victims.  And with your prayers and financial support, we will see a large 'containerized church' shipped down and built before the end of this year to replace the tent church. 

This latest church-building project will be a BIG step of faith since the total cost will be around $100,000 (building cost, shipping, airline tickets, food, lodging, etc).  Once again, this project will be led by Coy Tillett, who is also Board Chairman for JLPF.  He will be recruiting the "Manteo Miracle Men" to build the entire church in just one week – as they have done 5 times before in Haiti, the Bahamas and Nicaragua.  So be watching for more details in future emails.

MALI CRISIS

When I flew to Haiti, I was also closely monitoring the political crisis in the West African country of Mali where radical Islam has taken over much of the country.  I made you aware of the plight of our partners there, Professor Mohamed-Ibrahim Yattara and Pastor Nouh Yattara.  Since my return, we have sent out several updates on these dear brothers and sisters in Christ who have become political and spiritual refugees in their own country.  Keep praying for them.

ISLAM & THE UNITED NATIONS

However, while I am keenly attuned to the advances of Islam in Africa, Asia, Europe and America – I was totally unprepared for it in Haiti!  As I was being driven to the airport to depart Haiti on Easter Monday, I heard the traditional Muslim call to prayer.  I couldn't believe my ears!  I asked my driver to stop the car so I could find out the source of that all-too-familiar sound.  It was coming from one of the many UN compounds in Port-au-Prince.  So I quickly saw happening in Haiti what I had seen in other countries of the world where UN soldiers are.  You see, Muslim countries are very astute in getting their soldiers enlisted in UN service around the world.  And wherever those soldiers are, they require the UN to provide them time and space to practice their faith.  So by the time they leave a country, they leave a mosque in place and some local people whom they have converted – all paid for by our tax dollars!  Already you can regularly hear the Muslim call to prayer in Les Cayes in the south, Cap Haitian in the north and the capital city of Port-au-Prince!  So there is no country – regardless of how rich or poor – that is not on their radar screen!  Haiti has become just one more Muslim beachhead to further infiltrate America and the West.

However, the church in Haiti is far too strong for Islam to ever take deep root.  But the Islamic faith will become another destabilizing factor in a country that is already racked by political corruption, bureaucracy, ineptness, lack of infrastructure, voodoo, unspeakable poverty – and a devastating earthquake!  But God is also mightily at work and you are a vital part of it through your prayers and partnership with us!

In His Resurrection love & power,

J.L.

PS:  Take a moment to view the slideshow pictures (top of page) and the video below from this latest deployment in Haiti.  I think you will be blessed and encouraged.

As I preached over Easter, many of the faces I looked into were also grieved by loved ones hurt or lost during the killer earthquake of January 12, 2010.  In a mysterious way, we shared a common inexpressible pain.  We also shared some 'Whys' that will never be fully answered this side of heaven.  But when I took communion "in remembrance of Him" with those Haitian Christians on Easter Sunday Morning after I preached, there was a fresh sense of the Lord's presence and peace!  And as I ate the bread and drank the wine, I did so on behalf of Luke for His healing.  These words of Scripture kept resonating in my spirit: "By His stripes we are healed" (I Pet. 2:24).  I believe God is answering that prayer for Luke!

While I was in Haiti, Patt was bearing the brunt of the burden of this family crisis – as she so often does, as she stepped in to fulfill her role and mine as well.  Because she was closely involved 24/7, I asked her to write a more detailed 'medical account' of Luke's trauma.  Please take a moment more to read it below.  And as you do, know HOW MUCH we deeply appreciate your past and continued prayers for us as a family!

In His Sovereign Love,

J.L.

The special ‘Get Well’ card to Luke from the Bethany Children’s Home in India

Owen and Luke holding the ‘Get Well’ card from BCH; Luke with his new bunny rabbit; Owen, Patt and Luke spending time together

Dear Family & Friends,

We are deeply grateful to so many of you who have been standing with us in prayer for our grandson, Luke. Some of you have asked for more details, so here they are.  He had been playing and running as usual on Wednesday afternoon, April 4th.  About 6 p.m., he said he didn't feel good and had a headache.  Throughout the night he began vomiting, running a fever with chills, but early Thursday morning some rigidity set in.  So Jonathan and Julie loaded up all three kids and headed to the ER.  After dropping off his identical twin brother, Owen, and little sister, Joy Yael, with the Atkins family, a lumbar puncture and other tests confirmed streptococcus pneumococcal meningitis.  Everyone had to don masks and at one point gowns and gloves.  Luke was taken by Life-Flight to UNC Children's Hospital.  Days and nights melted together, becoming one long nightmare, and a long battle ensued to determine the hows, whys, and what nows.

Finally, on Sunday/Monday it was determined that the problem started about 3 years ago.  Luke (almost 6 years old at the time) had been riding his scooter around the edges of a tennis court.  He lost his balance a little bit and hit the handle on the pole for the net.  The impact blew out part of the left orbital bone just below the eyebrow and nose side of his left eye.  No surgery was done, but he was monitored for some time afterward, his eye and vision made a complete recovery, praise God!  But a piece of the bone was missing – about the size of a dime. 

Fast forward to last Wednesday.  For reasons still unknown, a small part of his brain pushed through that hole, kind of like a small hernia (called an encephalocele).  It came to rest in the sinus cavity (Luke had a sinus infection).  The infection spread to the encephalocele and into the brain, hence the meningitis.  Fortunately, it was finally determined that it was not the contagious form of meningitis so we didn't have to wear masks, etc.  Luke was released to come home late Tuesday evening (the 10th).

What now?  He will receive antibiotics by IV three times a day at home for the next two weeks.  During his hospital stay, his heart rate dropped significantly and his blood pressure became erratic. We are praying for both of these things to return to normal before surgery.  On April 24th, he will be readmitted to UNC to repair the hole in the bone.  The surgeon will go in through his nose and make a flap from the septum and cover the hole.  Luke will be in intensive care (PICU) for a day and then will be in the hospital for 4-5 more days with a catheter coming from his left nostril. Fortunately, he won't have to come home with it. After this procedure, most patients permanently lose their sense of smell and taste on the side affected.  It will take about 3 more weeks to recover with strict rules to not sneeze, blow his nose, wrestle, run, etc.

We ask prayer for Luke, that he will see God's hand at work in this traumatic event, that he will make a complete recovery and be able to make up his school work in these last couple of months of the school year.  For his Dad and Mom as they travel the labyrinth of emotions, details and understandings of the procedures.  For Owen and Joy Yael, who will be staying with lots of extended family who love them, but who once again won't have much time with a dearly loved brother and their parents.  We know that God spared Luke's life, for which we are profoundly grateful!  We also know that only through suffering do we understand how much God can comfort, and how our suffering sensitizes us to the needs of others.  We are confidently trusting the Lord for His perfect will to be done.

With love,

Patt

P.S.

We were so grateful that you included J.L. in your prayers while he remained in Haiti.  It was horrible for him not to be here and I missed his stabilizing presence.  But God was faithful as always and J.L.’s safe return was good medicine for all of us!

In the prelude to this story, we are told that Jesus sent two of His disciples to bring the donkey.  We don’t know which of the disciples were on “donkey duty” that day!  Perhaps some even grumbled: “Lord, I don’t do donkeys!  Fishing is my background – not donkeys!  I didn’t follow you to manage donkeys!  Donkey discipleship is not my calling!”  But in spite of possible protest, two disciples were ultimately dispatched for this unglamorous “donkey duty”! 

Anticipating their concerns about absconding a donkey from a total stranger’s house, Jesus gave them very specific instructions:

“Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her.  Untie them and bring them to Me.  If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”   (Matt.21:2-3)

So by faith, those two disciples did what Jesus told them to do.  Theirs was not to understand but to obey.  Once again we see the “principle of partnership” at work in this event.  On Palm Sunday, Jesus engaged two of His unnamed disciples and He involved an unknown donkey owner to accomplish His purposes.  If there was any question on the part of the owner as to why his donkey and colt were being taken, they were to simply to say: “The Lord needs them.”   That declaration rendered any further discussion or disagreement a moot issue.

Jesus assured them that if they made that declaration to the owner of the donkey “…he would send them right away.”  There would be no further hesitation.  The donkey and colt would be immediately released for Jesus’ use.  And so it was.

Again, neither the two disciples nor the donkey owner understood why Jesus needed the donkey?   They were clueless.  Like them, we are often in the dark when Jesus asks us to do something by faith – especially when it does not seem to make sense!  What could a donkey possibly have to do with the will of God?!  However, Jesus was crystal clear in why He needed that donkey and colt.  He needed them to fulfill the ancient prophecy about that day which said:

“See, your King comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zech. 9:9; Matt. 21:5).

For Jesus to walk into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday like the disciples did would have been a violation of prophecy.  It would have proven the Scriptures to be untrue and untrustworthy.  A donkey was required that day – and a very specific one at that.  It had to be “…a donkey and its colt.”  Thus, two disciples, a donkey owner, a lowly donkey and her colt converged to fulfill prophecy that first Palm Sunday!  How amazing are the mysteries of God’s Will and Word!

Do you see a parallel here to your situation?  What is it in your sphere of ownership – or stewardship – that Jesus wants to use to fulfill His foreordained purposes?  Are you holding tightly to your resources as your security?  Just like the donkey was “tied up” in this story, are your assets so “tied up” by debt, fear, selfishness, greed – that you are unable or unwilling to release them to the Lord Jesus?

This donkey owner had a different spirit.  He released his donkey and colt and sent them to Jesus “…right away.”  He was immediate in his obedience.  Dare we do any less?

Through the years when new acquaintances ask me what I do, I often respond: “I’m a donkey for Jesus!”  Most look puzzled – waiting for a further explanation.  So I summarize the Palm Sunday story.  I tell them that my calling is that of the donkey on Palm Sunday.  I explain that in the Bible the donkey is a beast of burden and symbol of humility.  As a result, my calling in life is to simply take Jesus and His resources wherever He wants to go.  And in the process, I am to always remember that it is not about the donkey – it’s all about Jesus! 

On that first Palm Sunday, all of the cloaks strewn on the road…the waving of palm branches…the shouts of “Hosanna” were not for the donkey!   They were for Jesus.  People were not admiring the donkey.  How foolish it would have been for the donkey to think, “Wow, look how important I am!  Listen to how these people are praising me!”  No.  He wasn’t the focal point of people’s attention and admiration.  He was simply an instrument that Jesus needed to accomplish His goal.  That’s to be our highest purpose in life also.  Nothing more, nothing less.

Palm Sunday reminds us afresh that life is not about us – it’s about Him!  Christian ministry is not about the minister – it’s about Jesus!  Church is not about the members – it’s about the Master!          It’s not about the saints – it’s about the Savior!  Christian leadership is not about our glory – it’s about the good of others.  The Christian life is never about the donkey – it’s always…always…all about Jesus!

No doubt there were hundreds ofother donkeys in Jerusalem that Sunday.  They were the trucks and taxis of the day carrying people and cargo all over the city.   Obviously then, the only thing that distinguished that particular donkey on Palm Sunday from the hundreds of others in the city was Who he was carrying.  Without Jesus on His back, he was just another donkey.  But with Jesus on his back, that donkey had direction and distinction.

So it has been my joy for over 4 decades to be a simple “donkey for Jesus.”    To be sensitive to His voice.  To be available to His bidding.  To be obedient when He says to me: “J.L., I need you to take My love and compassion to some of My needy children.”

And like the two disciples in the story, I have to be willing to step out on faith.  I have to sometimes do things I do not fully understand.  I have to go on missions that have not been clearly defined yet.  I have to boldly ask people to release their resources for the Master’s use.  I have to lovingly challenge them to “untie” and release some of their assets because “…the Lord needs them.”

And then, as they give by faith, I have the joy of transporting those resources to meet the physical and spiritual needs of others – just like Patt and I had the privilege of doing recently in Nepal and India.

When Jesus and His resources come – whether on a donkey or airplane – there are always shouts of praise!  There is always thanksgiving!  That’s why Paul encouraged the saints who gave through him with these words of assurance:

“The service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.  Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the Gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else” (II Cor. 9:12-13).

So thanks for “loading our donkey” with needed supplies that we were able to deploy on this past trip to Asia.  Be blessed by the slideshow pictures.  And know that you have brought glory to God and praise and thanksgiving to His people!

But right now, our donkey depot is almost totally empty!  So we pray that many of you reading this email will make a special “Easter Offering” to replenish our dwindling financial supplies so we can continue to share His practical love and compassion to others in need – wherever He deploys us.

Just a donkey for Jesus!

JL

PS:  I will be leaving for an “Easter Crusade” in Haiti this weekend – so I do covet your prayers.  And as always, I will go in with my donkey loaded – or overloaded (according to the airlines!) – with supplies to meet needs in His Name!

Click here to make a donation to JLPF.

Obviously, presidential election years in America are increasingly watched closely – especially in this media age of cell phones, computers, iPods and TVs.  While most envy our freedoms and democratic process, most only have a superficial understanding of our political process.

FAITH & THE PUBLIC FORUM

This political year is especially significant because it is supercharged by the “faith factor.”  In addition to the economy, jobs, education, energy, foreign affairs – especially the potential of a “nuclear Iran” – religion’s impact on the “social agenda” has become a dominant issue.  There is constant debate over how a politician’s personal faith impacts things like traditional marriage…contraceptives…abortion…divorce…gay rights…the environment, etc.

In the past, our concept of “Separation of Church and State” has built a fire wall of separation between private belief and public performance – a concept that is completely abhorred in Islam.  But in this current election process, the issue of faith is being constantly brought to the forefront.  How does private character impact public conduct?

REPUBLICAN RELIGION

A popular maxim says: "Politics and religion make strange bed-bellows!"  One thing’s for sure, they are in bed together during this election year as never before – especially in the Republican caucuses and primaries.  The on-going Republican presidential debates have now surpassed the 19 mark and counting.  While it is an opportunity for the candidates to be “vetted”, or thoroughly examined down to the moral, marital and monetary minutia, there is a lot of mud-slinging in the process.  To date it has been a very negative campaign fueled by millions of dollars of Super Pac money.  Sadly, all of these negative ads have dirtied all of the candidates involved since it is impossible to sling mud without getting morally muddy in the process! 

As is usually the case, these on-going campaign debates are generating a bit more heat than light.  This vetting process has become something of a political demolition derby with each candidate fighting to lead the pack and cross the finish line with their party nomination in hand by winning the necessary 1,144 delegates. 

THE FINAL FOUR

Already the Republican candidates have been cut in half from an original pack of 8 major contenders.  The first four political fatalities were: Herman Cain, Michele Bachmann, Jon Huntsman and Rick Perry.  Like the NCAA, the Final Four who are still battling it out are Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul.  While Romney is the presumed front-runner, he has not yet galvanized and energized the political and religious conservatives.  This is seen by the fact that there is a majority of the voters who are still in the “undecided” category.

EVANGELICALS, MORMONS & CATHOLICS

Regardless of their past political records, present financial status or future campaign stumping, conservative groups like the Tea Party and Evangelical Christians will play a deciding role in who wins first place on the Republican ticket.  So like it or not – and liberals don't like it – Christians and politicians are in bed together! Republicans in general, and evangelical Christians in particular, have to decide between:

•               Mitt Romney: a proud and professing Mormon elder

•               Newt Gingrich: a recently convert to Catholicism

•               Rich Santorum: a life long Catholic of deep conviction

•               Ron Paul: a libertarian who plays his religious cards close to his chest

Since Mormons are the 4th largest denomination in America, they represent one of the largest conservative voting blocks.  They are generally very pro-family, pro-life, pro-free enterprise, pro-military, pro-America.  Politically, then, a good Mormon can be a good governor or president.  Certainly a potential government official should not be totally judged by his faith, or lack thereof.

But, on the other hand, neither can a political candidate be totally separated from their religious beliefs.  These elections remind us again that we are voting for a president, not a preacher, priest or prophet to occupy the White House.

MY POLITICAL CUP OF TEA

However, both political conservatives and evangelical Christians have to decide which candidate best deserves to claim and carry the mantles of "conservative" and "Christian."  Right now, Mitt, Newt and Rick are vying for both of those titles – with Ron claiming to be the only “true conservative.”

The political wars continue.  So do the cultural wars.  And beneath both of them, the religious wars fuel the other battles.  Questions like these continue to be catalytic in people's thinking and voting:

•               Are we a Judeo-Christian nation?

•               Are we a Islamic-Christian nation?

•               Do the Bible and 10 Commandments have no historical connect with our Constitution and Bill of Rights?

•               What does separation of church and state really mean?

•               Are we now a secular nation void of a religious foundation?

•               Does a politician's faith matter in governance?

•               Is private morality irrelevant to public performance?

•               Can a Catholic, Mormon, atheist or born-again Christian make an equally good President?  

While most of Europe has answered these questions with a resounding "NO," they keep being recycled in America during election years.  And this year, Romney's Mormon Faith, Santorum and Gingrich's Catholic Faith and Paul's Libertarian "faith" continue to be a factor at the polling booth and ballot box.  And many, if not most, evangelical Christians, have a great concern about the strong Mormon faith of Mitt Romney.  The question persists:  Does Mormonism represent mainline Christianity?”  Or, "Is Mormonism a cult?"  Either answer is offensive to one side or the other.

PRO OR PROTEST VOTE?
To date, most political pundants keep saying that Romney has not really captured the minds and hearts of the political conservatives and evangelical Christians.  As a result, we have seen the so-called “Santorum surge” and “Gingrich gain” in recent weeks.  The nagging question is whether their persistent presence and popularity is really a “positive vote” for them – or a “protest vote” against Romney?  Only time will tell.  And Governor Romney’s Mormon faith will be a deciding factor in that debate.

Therefore, to help you make that decision so that you can vote more intelligently, I have updated and reprinted my book on Mormonism.  I first wrote it back in the early 1970s. For those of you who want to dig more deeply into this subject as you decide how the doctrines of Mormonism should impact your voting, click here for a free copy of my book in pdf format.

DEMOCRAT DEMOGRAPHICS

However, this issue of religion and politics is not just a Republican issue.  Democrats face their own version of this politico-religious dynamic.  There is still an uncertain religious aura hanging over President Obama.  While he has tried, he still has never been able to fully distance himself from Rev. Jeremiah Wright and his fiery spiritual-political-racial-cultural rhetoric that often had strong anti-American overtones. 

Couple this liberal leftist "Christian" influence with president Obama's early up-bringing under a Muslim father and subsequent education in Koranic schools – and there is a lingering dark cloud of spiritual suspicion about the reality or sincerity of his professed Christian faith.  At this year's annual National Prayer Breakfast on February 2nd (which I have attended many times), President Obama again spoke openly of "My Christian Faith…" and how it has impacted his political positions.

But formal and informal polls continue to show that many Americans still fear that he is really a “closet Muslim” who has not fully come clean about his Islamic sympathies.  He has made many statements and speeches negating our American and Judeo-Christian heritage.  He has also made many statements extolling the virtues of Islam.  I will share and document many of those in a subsequent email.

Suffice it to say at this point, President Obama has made some very positive statements about Islam.  In many of his speeches, he praises Islam and enumerates its virtues and the debt civilization owes that religion.  He speaks of Islam as a “revealed religion” from God.  He reveres Mohammed as an authentic prophet from God.  He always refers to the "Holy Koran" when he speaks of the writings of Mohammed.  He calls the morning Muslim call to prayer one of the most beautiful sounds in the world – and can recite it in perfect Arabic.

But does this make him a secret Muslim?  Not necessarily.  Only God knows his heart.  However, we do need to carefully look at the “religious fruit” of his life – which we will do in a later email.

CONCLUSIONS

I began this political op ed with the popular maxim: "Politics and Religion make strange bed-fellows."  Let me end this brief excursion for now through the current political mine-field with another Maxim: "Let your conscience be your guide."   In the final analysis, each of us as Americans and Christians must "vote our conscience." 

However, if our conscience is going to be a trustworthy guide in the voting booth, it must not be driven by blind passion to any person or party.  Our conscience can only be a trustworthy guide when it is historically educated and politically informed.  But most of all, it needs to have been educated by the Word of God and sensitized by the Spirit of God.  To that end, I trust that this attachment on Mormonism will be a helpful resource in your voting.

For God & Country,
JL

The Lord willing, I hope to be back in Zimbabwe with Bishop Trevor in mid April.  I will keep you updated on that trip -- after the upcoming one to Asia followed by a Easter Crusade in Haiti.

In His Faithful Love,
JL

PS:  If you have not visited Bishop Trevor's profile on our "Partner Page," I hope you will.  You will be blessed by his life and leadership and our over three decades of partnership

'I have sent some photos of the church which we built with your generous gift in a village on 21 February.  Pastor Solomon Babu, a young man with his wife and two children are ministering in this Arakonam Village in South India.  Thanks for the partnership in this ministry.'

So be blessed and encouraged over how the Lord Jesus is still building His church around the world -- just as He promised us in Matthew 16:18.  And perhaps you would like to be a part of His church building program through a similar gift of $2,500 to JLPF.  Maybe the Lord has unexpectedly given you some discretionary funds you could strategically deploy for His honor and glory!  We would love to partner with you and Pastor Joseph to build another church building among the unreached in India!"

Surprised by Joy,

JL

Day 1 of 40 Days of Passion

Day 2 of 40 Days of Passion

Day 3 of 40 Days of Passion

Day 4 of 40 Days of Passion

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By contrast, when you land in Singapore, you feel you have landed in the Garden of Eden!  Everything is lush and green with flowers and trees of every variety growing everywhere.  And the streets and sidewalks are so clean you could eat off them -- because stiff fines are levied for any littering!  One of the most popular T-shirts for tourist advertises: "Singapore is a Fine City!"  Then there is a long list of everything you will be fined for, from littering…to spitting…to jaywalking…to not flushing a public toilet...to drinking & driving…to using a cell phone while at the wheel.  And you can't even buy chewing gum in Singapore -- which keeps people from littering with the wrapper or old gum on sidewalks!

That kind of visionary, bold, prophetic leadership came to Singapore in the person of Lee Kuan Yew.  He became Prime Minister of Singapore after the transition from British rule.  He led his "People's Action Party" (PAP) through 8 political victories from 1959 - 1990.  And as the PAP name indicates, Lee Kuan Yew was a man of action!  Until his retirement, he was the world's longest serving Prime Minister with 50 years of bold leadership.  He led Singapore from being a small, struggling, undeveloped colonial outpost of the British Empire to one of the world's most peaceful and prosperous countries.

"Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.  The words 'once more' indicate the removing of what can be shaken -- that is, created things -- so that what cannot be shaken may remain.  Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe" (Heb. 12:26-28).

 

So God is "shaking things up and down" so that His Kingdom can come -- which cannot be shaken!  That's His agenda through the ages.  That's why He has ultimately shaken to destruction every human kingdom that has been contrary to His eternal Kingdom!  Egypt experienced it.  Babylon experienced it.  Rome experienced it.  America is experiencing it.  Ultimately the whole world will increasingly experience His shaking!