We took the boys camping and fishing up to Linville Gorge, NC this past weekend. FLY FISHING not just any old fishing. It was wonderful to see my son really take to a sport that demands a high level of patients as he was the last boy to catch a fish, the only boy to wade into the water for hours, and who ended up catching the largest fish of the day. He said, “Dad, I am going to catch a fish if it takes me until 11pm tonight!”. He sat with Tripp, our senior leader who spent time showing he and the boys how to prepare the line, cast, fish, and the art of patients.

As a take away, I am reminded that our Heavenly Father sits patiently, preparing us through His Word to do His mission; namely the Great Commission found in Matthew 28. For all the reasons God puts us on this earth, leisure is a by-product and a secondary thing to doing His work, enjoying Him, and leading others to Him as the true meaning of life. The term “Fishers of  men” is a phrase used in the New Testament to describe God’s mandate given in Matthew 28 through Jesus as the last thing He left us upon descending into heaven. But that was the Great Commission to “Make disciples of all the earth” which includes being fishers of men. The actual term "fisher of men" started when Jesus started His public ministry. Simon called Peter and Andrew, were casting  their fishing nets into the Sea of Galilee but caught nothing. They had been fishing ALL NIGHT and as very, very experienced and seasoned fishermen-still had caught no fish. Jesus came along and asked them to cast out their nets to one side of the boat. At first, they (as professional fishermen) attempted using human logic to communicate to Jesus that there were no fish to be caught in that area at that time. Jesus persisted, was patient and told them to put their nets down. They finally put their nets down and caught so many fish, the nets nearly broke from the weight of the fish. Then, Jesus called them to follow Him and told them that in doing so they were to become “fishers of men”. That famous phrase is mentioned in Matthew 4:19 and Mark 1:17 (…He said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).

With all the crazy things going on in this world, I am reminded through these boys that God is in control. This was reflected in the youthfulness, hopefulness, patients and faith of these young Christian men. I am proud of my son and all the boys. But as a human father, I am elated to see my son’s patients, faith, dependence on God, and desire to become and develop into a godly young man, and a “fisher of men”. I am thankful for Tripp, our faithful, senior leader who took the "time" out of his life and away from his family to sleep in a tent and teach these boys how to fish and much more about life in the process. What else can I ask for?

The world is changing rapidly and will become something very different than we have known it to be or can even imagine it can become. Despite such a scenario, God is the same because he never changes. Neither does being a fisher of men-that never changes either. It cannot be emulated by AI or administered through some government agency or any organization. It boils down to good old fashion relationships and taking the time to share the Word, Love, and Truth of Jesus Christ. But, it's up to you, me all Christians to be fishers of men for the next generation. God will get the job done as the Ultimate Fisher. It’s a blessing for us to be servant fishers of men in His service.

So, driving back, tired as can be after sleeping in a tent, on a sleeping pad for two days, I was reminded through the fellowship of other godly servant dads and these boys, that life in the present is good in Him. And to see these young men become future “fishers of men” is better than all the riches in the world. And that, I am grateful for. All of a sudden, the craziness of this political season and nuts world seems silly in light of eternity. It more like a bunch of young boys and girls fighting at recess over control of the play ground. Let’s pray for these young men-that they, along with other godly young men and young ladies will lead America and the next generation back to a more stable, biblically based state, dependent on God, and unwavering in their mission to become “fishers of men and women” around the world. “Dad, I am going to catch a fish if it takes me until 11pm tonight!”. PATIENCE. I think that says it all:). Have a wonderful and blessed week-Steven

(SPECIAL THANKS TO TRIPP GABRIEL AND CHRIST COVENANT CHURCH IN MATTHEWS, NC for hosting the Trail Life Troop 0413. The church leadership is very involved with the troop and has given my son and many other young men great mentoring, leadership training, and godly character development. I want to to recommend that anyone with a son as young as five years old up through Highschool to pleas visit the troop one Thurday evening at 7:00 pm.)

“THE SIX STAGES OF ALL GREAT & GODLY EMPIRES-Explained Biblically”

What happens when a great and godly generation passes away on a younger, undisciplined and godless generation takes over?

In the infamous book, “The Fourth Turning”, the answer is given in great detail within the framework that difficult times raises up strong people which produce good times, which produce a lazy undisciplined people who usher in tough times. I recommend everyone read that book. Today, I am going to show you through the biblical Book of Judges, the six basic stages that Israel went through and that all nations proclaiming the God of the Universe as their God go through from a spiritual, biblical and freedom perspective. And this is especially true of the present state of the United States-so let’s get started.

NOTE BENE: The United States and Europe are not Israel, but God's ways are consistent and I believe accurately portrayed in today's episode in application.

The United States has gone from being the best cheese on the block to Swiss cheese-riddled with holes to the point of being hollowed out-held up by a mere framework of Christians who are hanging on as the remnant and by many who are intellectually wanting in light of having a faith driven primarily by emotion. While God has both intellect and emotion and has bestowed that upon his created beings-namely the human race, we are called, as those made in His image, to toughen up and do the mission He has called each of us to and stop crying in our apathy. We ought to reduce or our complaining about what we have lost and start doing the mission on the ground level. It’s ok to feel scared, lonely and worried about the future-but that must be kept in check as we muster the courage in God’s strength the do the mission He has called us to. Isn’t that the purpose of life?

The book of Judges provides us with a sixth turning if I can call it that and in today’s episode, I will share where I see the United States and where I see Europe in terms of which stage. Let’s go into today’s lesson with the understanding that all nations rise and fall as great civilizations. The good news is that once a nation falls, it can being to heal and return as something new but different-but not what it was prior. Today, I am going to summarize this in five short verses (and then beyond)-starting in Judges 2:8-12. Let’s jump in by reading Judges 2.

JUDGES 2:8-12 - “And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110 years. And they buried him within the boundaries of his inheritance of Timnath…And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who DID NOT KNOW the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel. And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals. And they abandoned the the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt.They went after other gods, from among the gods of the poles who were around them, and bowed down to them. And they provoked the Lord to anger” (Judges 2:8-12).

You can read the passage for yourself and perhaps break down the stages yourself. For now, I am going break this passage down into six parts-showing your the stages that Israel repeated time and time again in their rise and fall, based on their obedience to blessing, and then forgetting God and disobedience which led to their fall and being taken over or invaded by foreigners until they repented and returned to the Lord once again. Let’s jump right in.

1. STAGE ONE: CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP DIES/PASSES AWAY: “And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110 years” (vss. 8-10). It’s typical for civilizations and great (and small) nations to place their full faith in their leadership. But when that nation get’s comfortable and fails to remain sharp and disciplined in living a godly life, seeking God’s word and ways, they eventually forget God and become detached in relationship with Him. We saw this for example with President Ronald Reagan in America and Margaret Thatcher in the UK.
2. STAGE TWO: THE REST OF THE GENERATION PASSES AWAY: (“And all that generation also were gathered to their father” (vs.10). Like America seeing it’s leader Ronald Reagan who spoke about America as the city being a light upon a hill for the rest of the world, after his death, naturally many godly leaders grew old and passed away after him until a generation of godly leaders were gone. This seems to be a short time ago in America and in Europe.
3. STAGE THREE: THE NEW, YOUNGER GENERATION TAKES OVER NATIONAL  AND CULTURAL LEADERSHIP: “And there arose another generation after them…” (vs.10a). What does “another generation mean? It often means a generation who had an easier life filled with pleasure, recreation and lack of difficulties as compared to their parents generation. As a result, they often lose their edge theologically and with regard to their resolve to stand strong on God’s ways which more often than not-not popular with secular world characters and leadership who have other ideas for the direction of the world. As a result, they get away from God which leads to stage four.
4. STAGE FOUR: BUT THAT GENERATION TURNS THEIR BACK ON THE LORD-THE TRUE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE: (vs.10b) “…And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel” (vs.10). This is the stage I believe America is in today more so than even Europe who I believe is in stage five. America has been and is turning their back on the God of the Universe in record numbers. I compare the American church American culture in general (but not all churches of course) like Swiss cheese in that the church is still strong in part, but is being hollowed out with tunnels of emptiness and secularism. Don’t forget that like Swiss Cheese, when something is hallowed out, I’m not reformable because it simply does not exist. Emptiness is nothingness. That doesn’t mean the remnant cannot cry out to God and return to His Word and Ways, which is the last stagnate-only that the emptiness is just that, empty. And nothing exists in a vacuum, so that emptiness is filled with secularism which is always very temporary, Islam, which is very long term, or socialism and communism, which is secularism. This leads us to stage five.
5. STAGE FIVE: THE NEW GENERATION REAP WHAT THEY SOW IN THAT THEY ABANDONED THE LORD THE GOD OF THEIR FATHERS: “And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals. And they abandoned the the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods of the poles who were around them, and bowed down to them" (vss.11-12a). This is where Europe has been for some time and where the United States is heading and in some areas already is. We are starting to increasingly sow what we have reaped after abandoning the Lord the God of our fathers, especially to the degree we have done that over the past few decades. And this leads us to the sixth and final stage.
6. STAGE SIX: FINALLY, THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE PROVOKE THE ANGER AND JUDGEMENT OF THE LORD WHO ABANDONS THE POEPLE AND NATION-ALLOWING THEM TO BE PLUNDERED BY THEIR ENEMIES TO THE POINT OF GREAT DISTRESS: “And they provoked the Lord to anger. They abandoned the Lord…So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel and He gave them over to the plunders, who plundered them. And He sold them into the hand of their enemies, so that they could no longer withstand THEIR ENEMIES. WHENEVER THEY MARCHED OUT, THE HAND OF THE LORD WAS AGAINST THEM FOR HARM, AS THE LORD HAD WARNED, AND AS THE LORD HAD SWORN TO THEM. AND THEY WERE IN TERRIBLE STRESS” (vss. 12b-15).

Stage Six is where the United States is today. My sense is that Europe has began to already turn from stage six back to God and His ways to some degree if not a much greater degree. As for the United States, we have a bit to go in that we are just feeling God’s hand of blessing withdrawn from our country, allowing us to be PLUNDERED by our enemies. This is evident in China’s flooding the United States with Fentanyl, killing 100,000 young people a year. The boarder ending with 10-Million migrants, many of which are from China, Africa and many Muslim countries, and none of which are educated, skilled in most cases, often with ill intent and no resources to live. Many of those non-Americans are being hired by police departments and into the military in exchange for U.S. Citizenship. I won’t go any further because you get the point.  “So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel and he gave them over to plunderers, who plundered them. And he sold them into the hand of their surrounding enemies…” (Judges 2:14).

OUR HOPE-WE ARE CLOSE TO A NEW TURNING

“But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the people of Israel, who saved them, Othniel the son of Kenya’s, Caleb’s younger brother. The Spirt of the Lord was upon him, and he judged Israel. He want out to war, and the Lord gave Cushan-Tisha Thais king of Mesopotamiainto his hand. And his hand prevailed over Cushn00rishatham. So the land had rest for forty years. Then Othniel the son of Kenya’s died” (Judges 3:9-11). And upon Othniel’s death, they went back to stage one. BUT, the good news is that God delivered Israel’s and He can deliver us today if we are as a nation, people and individuals obedient to and return to Him!

CONCLUSION

The good news is that once a nation falls, it can repent and ask God for healing, and return as something new but different than it was prior. So this is what happens when a great, godly generation passes on and leaves the kingdom-land to the next generation. They often get sucked up into false god’s and secularism due to their leaning on the leader God provided them as opposed to God himself. In the infamous book, “The Fourth Turning”, which in its first printing (1997) by William Strauss and Neil Howe opens with a single page with a Bible verse in the King James, which I show in the ESV which says: "That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away" (Ecclesistes 3:15). 

I recommend reading “The Fourth Turning” in its newly released form which was published around July of 2023. Today, we learned through the Book of Judges, the six basic stages of all great and godly nations that rise to power and then fall, due to their forgetting the true God of the universe and then what they can do to eventually return to prosperity through obedience to God, invoking His blessing and provision. Folks, this is where the United States, Europe, and much of the West is today. I hope you will study the Book of Judges for yourself and think about what this means in your own God given personal mission as history beings to move along in this new age. Please be encouraged that the only constant is change, and God is in control. As such, we have a purpose in this lifetime beyond a comfortable, affluent and recreation filled life. We are here to glory God and do the work He has called us to, despite the circumstances. To me, that’s exciting if we keep our perspective Christ and biblically centered. So, let’s get out there and do the mission and enjoy the ride He has called us to.

IN AN ARTICLE BY HUDSON.ORG TITLED “GOD NEWS FROM IRAN: A MILLION NEW CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS” AS A COMMENTARY WRITTEN JUNE 15. 2023 BY LELA GILBERT, CHRISTIANITY IS RAPIDLY GROWING IN IRAN .TODAY, THROUGH THIS ARTICLE, I AM GOING TO SHOW YOU THAT CHRISTIANITY IS NOT DEAD BUT ONLY CHANGING GEOGRAPHICALLY TO THE EAST-AND THAT AS MY MENTOR DR. NORMAN GEISLER USED TO SAY, “CHRISTIANS ARE TEA-THE BEST FLAVORS COME OUT WHEN THE WATER IS THE HOTTEST. LET’S GET STARTED.

There’s an explosive number of conversions to Christianity taking place in Iran where an Islamist government has ruled since 1979: To the surprise of many, Christianity is flourishing. The implications are potentially profound.

“Consider some testimonials: David Yeghnazar of Elam Ministries stated in 2018 that ‘Iranians have become the most open people to the gospel.’ The Christian Broadcasting Network found, also in 2018, that ‘Christianity is growing faster in the Islamic Republic of Iran than in any other country.’

WHY IS CHRISTIANITY GROWING SO RAPIDLY IN IRAN?

“This trend results from the extreme form of Shi’ite Islam imposed by the theocratic regime. An Iranian church leader explained in 2019:

“What if I told you the mosques are empty inside Iran? What if I told you no one follows Islam inside of Iran? ...What if I told you the best evangelist for Jesus was the Ayatollah Khomeini [founder of the Islamic Republic]?”’

Confirming these statements, a significant survey taken in 2020 by Gamaan, a secular Netherlands-based research group, reported that there are far greater numbers of Christian believers in Iran than ever before — more than a million. In fact, those involved with the “house church” movement in Iran are convinced that there are likely several million Christian believers there.

Evangelism is alive and well-but done more quietly in Iran. New Christians’ witness to others in and through quiet conversations, encouraged by low-profile online Bible studies, and affirmed by visions, dreams, and miraculously answered prayers. Due to their risky circumstances, recent Christian converts are enthusiastically communicating about their changed lives with friends and loved ones — but quietly and carefully. However, their discreet but persistent witness accounts for the extraordinary number of new Iranian believers, who meet in small house churches.

These house churches are usually comprised of no more than 10 to 15 believers. On a given day, they arrive, one by one, at a small apartment or some other nondescript location. After the last one enters, the door closes and locks, and they all take a deep breath and relax, greeting each other warmly.

To be HONEST with you-I’m jealous of the authentic Christian faith and sincere fellowship through their Persian brand of hospitality. A few minutes later, the little gathering begins to sing — very softly, accompanied by a quietly strummed guitar. They are cautious of course, not wanting their voices to be heard beyond the apartment’s thin walls. But soon, with closed eyes and hands lifted heavenward, they are lost in praise and worship music. Later a teaching from a biblical passage is offered and a communion service takes place. And finally, after more conversation they leave, one by one.

THE RISK IS HIGH

And some house churches have continued for years without intrusion by government authorities while others have been discovered and experience devastating consequences. Sudden invasions by state authorities can happen at any time. Everyone knows about Christian gatherings in which, without warning, a dozen or more officials have burst into a small meeting and roughly arrested everyone there. Typically, these authorities also literally tear apart the residence, searching for laptops, phones, evangelistic publications including Bibles and other books, DVDs, and videos.

WHAT ARE THEY LOOKING FOR?

They’re looking for anything they can confiscate and they label as “evidence” against the Christians. Arrests are made based on accusations such as “insulting Islam,” or conducting “deviant activity” that “contradicts or interferes with the sacred law of Islam.”

The house church participants in Iran, including recent converts, know very well that the aftermath of such raids can also be perilous and can include continued threats of violence, lost employment, expulsion from school or university, confiscated cash, and even the endangerment of other family members. And everyone knows that sexual violence against a mother, wife, girlfriend, or daughter is likely to follow. Still, with all this in mind, Iranian house church Christians are extraordinarily courageous. And sometimes the price they pay for their boldness is exceptionally painful.

Prominent organizations who report on Iran’s abuse of Christian believers, including the Vatican and several Protestant groups, declare that the regime has recently increased its abuses, including surveillance, arrests, and imprisonment of house church leaders, including those who worship in their homes.

Sadly, true justice seldom follows. The ministry “Open Doors” acknowledged that their watchdog organization is “appalled by the testimonies of violations of due process that took place in the court rooms, including humiliating remarks from the judge, the court’s unconcealed favor for the prosecutor’s side, the defendants’ occasional lack of access to a lawyer, and verdicts issued in less than 10 days — clearly — without sufficient consideration of evidence.”

IRAN IS NOW SENDING OUT EVANGELISTS TO AFGHANISTAN

Neighboring Afghanistan rivals Iran as the fastest-growing church–influenced by non-other than Iranian Christians whose similar language and cultural connections have built bridges for the spread of the gospel.

God used the Armenian, Chaldean, and Assyrian churches as a source of light, especially in the early years after the revolution, for Iranians who became disillusioned with the Islamic Republic and were searching for answers. Though these communities’ numbers inside the country have dwindled to only around 100,000, the number of new Iranian coverts has surpassed it as much as perhaps 10 times the number!

Christianity is growing in Iran through believers simply telling their friends and family about their new-found faith. House church movements have begun all over Iran as we stated, providing deep fellowship that has helped many Iranian believers to remain firm in their faith amid great persecution.

These converts come from all sectors of society–from street vendors and taxi drivers to intellectuals, artists, and public servants. House churches, online media gospel programs, and person-to-person connections continue to be conduits of the spread of the gospel all over the country. While persecution has threatened to eliminate Christianity from Iran, the opposite happened in that persecution only seemed to spur the growth of the church. Remember, Christians are like tea-the best flavors come out when the water is the hottest. In other words-Christianity ATROPHIES and declines in the GOOD-EASY TIMES, but grows in DIFFICULT and TIMES OF PERSECUTION.

SO WHAT? THE LESSON OR EXAMPLE FOR YOU AND I TODAY

Is that despite abuses suffered by our sisters and brothers in Iran, we should be awestruck by their faith, courage and boldness — and by the remarkable results of their steadfast faith-Evident by the fact that there are more than a million new converts — called Muslim Background Believers or (MBB’s). These “MBB’s” are reading the Bible for the first time, praying, gathering in small groups, and sharing their new faith with friends and family, despite the risks. Their faith is amazing, encouraging, and inspiring.

HOW WE SEE IRAN OUGHT TO BE DIFFERENT THAN THE MEDIA HEADLINES

Today, when we see “Iran” in the headlines, we are wise to be concerned. Let’s pray for God’s intervention into the regime’s deadly intentions. But let’s also remember our little-known but rapidly growing Christian family inside Iran’s borders. Their bold example of courage in the face of persecution shines brightly amid the ever-increasing darkness in the Middle East.

IN CONCLUSION: I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO REJOICE IN THAT THE CHURCH IS GROWING THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. While the state of the Church in America is failing in great part, God will not be stopped. Christianity never grows in the good times but through persecution. It’s similar to history of America. When immigrants come to America, historically, they work long and hard, understanding the value of the opportunity to make money and live in a free country. In most cases, family businesses last no more than three generations and the wealth that is passed on due to the fact that the value of that wealth becomes an assumed benefit, similar to unfettered welfare.

Our Christian faith is no different in that Christians in the West, especially the United States have come to see their church and Christian faith as a social event, networking venue, and cultural norm due for the simple fact that it doesn’t cost them anything. And when something costs nothing-the value of that thing goes doesn’t. Our Christian faith is no exception. We need to be praying for our brothers and sisters in Iran and the Middle East. As Christians we should also be jealous of them, because their faith is real, valuable, vibrant and joyful.

So as we read the headlines, don’t despair, but be joyful. WHY? Because great news is that THAT CHRISTIANITY IS NOT DEAD IN THE WORLD-BUT ONLY CHANGING GEOGRAPHICALLY TO THE EAST. AND REMEMBER THE WORLDS OF MY DEAR FRIEND AND MENTOR, THE LATE DR. NORMAN GEISLER-“CHRISTIANS ARE TEA-THE BEST FLAVORS COME OUT WHEN THE WATER IS THE HOTTEST.