Tag: Christianity

Our Struggle with Patience

On By Archie L. GilmerIn Culture & Conviction, Faith & Discipleship, Life & Perseverance1 Comment

As I sit down to write this blog post, I find myself overwhelmingly aware of the reality of this topic. What I mean is that I have spent much time in thought and prayer as to just how to word my thoughts about patience and how it impacts the Christian life. The problem is, the more I think about getting it done, the more impatient I become about getting the words out to finish the blog post! The struggle really is real!

To get on with it. I was having a discussion with some people recently about the fruit of the Spirit as described by Paul in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” While making the point in the discussion that we should notice that scripture shows the word ‘fruit’ as a singular and not a plural. Meaning that each of these virtues which make up the fruit of the Spirit are simply a part of the totality of the fruit of the Spirit. Sort of the DNA of the fruit of the Spirit.

While we discussed each virtue, when we looked at the virtue of patience, like always, we all expressed frustration about the fact that we all struggle with patience in our lives. I personally believe that struggling in this area of life is normal and should be expected. However, I do think that many times, people may misunderstand what this part of the fruit is really about.

It is common that our knee jerk reaction when talking or thinking about patience that our thoughts go to all those time in life when we have trouble waiting for someone or something. Or maybe we think about having to put up with a person or people that are difficult to put up with. I would say that both of those thoughts are correct and applicable. However, I would submit that God in His Word intends that we have a deeper understanding of what patience is all about and how it plays part in the totality of the fruit of the Spirit.

Recently while teaching through 1 and 2 Samuel, we studied how David was running for his life while King Saul was in hot pursuit for the purpose of killing him. All the while, David had knowledge of God’s promise and plan for his life that he would eventually become King of Israel. David exercised patience each time he had opportunity to kill King Saul and showed self-restraint. David at that time was a superb example of what it looks like to trust God and His plan.

Oh, how we wish we could be patient like David was. Oh, how we wish we could be as patient as Noah was while he built this gigantic boat in the middle of ridicule and persecution. And it definitely seems impossible to exercise the patience that our Savior displayed when He was arrested, beaten, mocked, spit on, cursed, and eventually crucified! He showed us the ultimate example of waiting on the Father to complete His plan! That is what patience as well as the rest of the virtues of the fruit of the Spirit is all about.

We say Amen! While at the same time, we continue to struggle with patience in our lives. Let us consider that maybe some of that struggle exists because our perspective on the things of life can be out of place. If our perspective is that which is focused on ourselves and how the world affects our own lives according to our plans and desires, then it is possible that we will experience unnecessary struggles in our lives.

If our perspective on the things of life and the events of this world are that of the Christian life, then our faith will have a great affect on our ability to exercise patience in all aspects of our lives. At the same time, it would not mean that we will never struggle with patience, it simply means that our struggles will ultimately build strength in our faith and our walk with Christ.

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.” – James 5:7-8

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”- James 1:2-3

James explains this struggle that we all have with patience. He tries to help us understand that even this struggle has a purpose in the plan of God for our lives and for the bigger plan for His Kingdom!

Returning to our study in 1 and 2 Samuel, we are reminded throughout the life of David that hardship and struggles will prepare us for whatever God has in the plan for our future. It is most likely true that most if not all of us who are walking with Christ genuinely can testify that God had been preparing us for the things in are life today throughout our younger days. If we are honest with ourselves, we will admit that many of our worries and anxieties were unwarranted.

As James points out in the previous text, when we experience challenges to our patience, we should notice that our faith is being tested and we are being strengthened for endurance. Therefore, we should expect our struggles with patience to be different the longer we live and walk with Christ!

Finally, I would offer encouragement when we say to ourselves, “that all sounds great but this patience thing is just too hard!” Thank God for His Holy Spirit who lives in all of us who are part of the body of Christ through submitting to the work that Jesus did on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins! Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit would be sent to be with us, be our guide, to be our strength. We are not expected to work hard at being good at all these virtues that Paul described as the fruit of the Spirit. What Paul is saying is that if we live surrendered to the presence of the Holy Spirit then this fruit, (singular), will be evident in our lives. Not only one or two at a time but all of them.

Our hard work is simply the work of submitting to the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Surrendering to God. 100%. This is when patience will be on display in our lives for the world to see!

To God be the Glory.

The Power of Expectations

On By Archie L. GilmerIn Culture & Conviction, Faith & Discipleship, Life & PerseveranceLeave a comment

Anyone who has been “around the block” would testify to the fact that things do not always go the way that we plan or expect. When our expectations are not met, we might sometimes say “life happens.”

The truth of the matter is that when our expectations in life are not met, disappointment is the result. Therefore, we should make an effort to notice that expectations, while not always wrong or out of line, can be immensely powerful. Expectations can be so powerful that they could lead to either overwhelming anxiety and depression when not met or unbelievable success and blessings when applied appropriately.

I personally have spent most of my life learning to appropriately deal with expectations. My own toward others, others toward me, and expectations between me and God.

For years I struggled with managing expectations between myself and others. I often crumbled under the weight of the expectations that I felt others placed on me and also became defeated when let down by the expectations that I had put on others around me. Mostly, the expectations or lack of expectations that I had for myself had done the most damage early on.

It is only when we can learn what God expects that we then have any chance to manage expectations between others as well as ones we have for ourselves. After all, who knows better than God?

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.” – Isaiah 55:8

After giving our lives to Christ and receiving forgiveness and grace through the blood of Christ, only then can we understand that what God expects is that we be who He created us to be. Then after we see that because of our desires to sin against Him that we cannot live up to His expectations, then we cry out in repentance and surrender to God. That is when we begin to learn and truly understand what God expects. He expects us to trust in Him by faith.

The point is this. Once we learn the proper place for expectations to live in our lives, then we will experience more joy and less disappointments and anxiety in life. After all, is that not what we all are searching for? There is nothing more miserable than a broken spirit.

“A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22

Just to be clear. There are many situations and roles in life that require expectations to be in place for all of us. Parents definitely should have expectations for their children. Spouses should have expectations for each other. Employers should have expectations for their employees. Society should have expectations for their government and so on and so forth.

However, when we put all of our weight on those expectations and insist that our lives play out exactly according to those expectations, well then, we would be setting ourselves up for failures, disappointments, anxieties and ultimately those broken spirits.

This is not the life that God would have us live. He would have us live lives that are able to put those expectations in their appropriate places all the while leaving room for God’s plan. In other words, as we try to manage expectations appropriately in our lives, we would do good to expect some unexpected realities to impact our lives.

We can know the will of God, via the Word of God, however we cannot know the mind of God, nor do we always know God’s plan as it plays out. So, we would do better to be more flexible when it comes to our expectations for ourselves, others and even God. We should learn to commit our plans to the Lord and let Him have His way.

“Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established.” – Proverbs 16:3

To God be the Glory.

God Knows About the Darkness

On By Archie L. GilmerIn Culture & Conviction, Life & PerseveranceLeave a comment

Any of us who have been around the block even only a few times would know that life is not always sunshine and roses. However, often times once we put our faith in Christ for salvation, we soon find out that not even the Christian life is always sunshine and roses. In fact, Jesus taught that there would be trouble. He taught that there would be trouble because people would hate Him. Not to mention that we just cannot get along. That is why we need Jesus.

I remember when my wife and I received salvation. It was urgent in my heart that we both accept the forgiveness that God had offered us through the sacrifice of Jesus. I remember it brought such a peaceful feeling into my life that I had never experienced before. Then it was not long before we both began to get involved with the work of the Church. As we began to grow, we began to realize that life was still hard at times. We quickly realized that accepting Christ did not mean that life would be stress free.

It has been thirty-two years and a few months since my wife, and I got saved. During that journey, many trials and dark times have come and gone. I still remember times when it seemed that all had failed, and I began to question everything about my life and ministry. It was very confusing and very defeating during those times. Loneliness and depression became a very real part of my daily life during those dark times. I remember feeling like I was all alone. Even though I never believed that God had forsaken me, at times I had to continue to tell myself that He was there. Even though I could not see or feel His presence. As I think about these times, I think of them as the dark days of despair.

The dark times I am referring to had nothing to do with any of our efforts to share the gospel or make disciples and evangelize the lost. No, I am referring to the challenges and troubles that came about between the believers. That’s right. I am referring to the trouble that happens within the church. The times I am referring to usually were brought on by extreme situations brought on by only a few.

As I reflect, I think of 1 Samuel as we read about David being on the run from Saul who was desiring to kill him. We read that God had called David to become the king of Israel and Saul had turned from God and began to be threatened by David. We find in 1 Samuel that David at one point was hiding in a cave in the wilderness. While his heart was filled with anxiety and confusion, David expressed his feelings, and they are found in Psalm 142. It is in these verses that I find truth in my dark times.


In the first two verses, David simply cries out to the Lord in the darkness of the cave. He is honest about his feelings and condition before the Lord.

I cry aloud with my voice to the Lord;
I make supplication with my voice to the Lord.
 I pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare my trouble before Him.

Verse 3 shows that David is dealing with a situation that is bigger than himself all while expressing his trust in God’s knowledge and involvement.

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,
You knew my path.
In the way where I walk
They have hidden a trap for me.

It is when I read verse 4 that God reveals to me that I am not the first to feel alone and desperate. I am not the first to be overwhelmed by the troubles of this world brought on by others. David felt hopeless and totally alone.

Look to the right and see;
For there is no one who regards me;
There is no escape for me;
No one cares for my soul.

It was at this point that I would have to force myself to continue to read through verses 5-7 of the Psalm. It is imperative to see how David was able to encourage himself in the Lord and cry out to God for deliverance.

I cried out to You, O Lord;
I said, “You are my refuge,
My portion in the land of the living.
“Give heed to my cry,
For I am brought very low;
Deliver me from my persecutors,
For they are too strong for me.
 “Bring my soul out of prison,
So that I may give thanks to Your name;

The righteous will surround me,
For You will deal bountifully with me.”

You see, David knew that God had picked him to be the next king of Israel. He also knew that God would do things in His own time. So, we can see in this Psalm how David was able to trust God in his darkness by believing God and trusting in His promises. He knew that the only way to find his way through the darkness was to trust and wait on the Lord to deliver him.

Just as David was able to survive his dark days, we too can take note of how he would cry out to the Lord and depend on Him even when he felt all alone and like no one cared about his troubles.

I can testify that God has never failed me. He always delivered me from the darkness and many times sent a brother or two into the darkness to wait with me. Also, I have never seen Him fail anyone else who would cry out to Him while trusting in Him and His timing.

Notice that David’s request to be delivered from his trouble was ultimately so he could praise God and give Him the glory!

I praise God that each and every time I cry out to Him from the darkness, He is faithful in delivering me. It has always been in His time, and I have been learning to wait on Him in the darkness.

I would encourage anyone who is going through some dark times and feeling alone and anxious, read Psalm 142 and begin to cry out to our Lord. Lay your heart out before Him and trust what you know to be true about Him and He will deliver you in His time.

I love you and the Lord loves you,

To God be the Glory.

Do We See What God Sees?

On By Archie L. GilmerIn Culture & Conviction, Faith & DiscipleshipLeave a comment

Often times as I look around at our world, I wonder if we really see what God sees. I mean are we really able to see people the way God see them? I would like the answer to that question to be yes, of course! However, I think it would not take much pondering on the reality of our lives to discover that, maybe not so much.

Jesus answered the question presented to Him by the Pharisees about which was the greatest commandment. His answer being to Love God and Love People. Well, some may think it to be an easy thing to do and others may think it to be rather challenging. Not to mention the variables that exist. Especially the fact that not all of us are that easy to love at times. That’s right, I said it. You know it is true. That is why we need Jesus!

I believe that there are many obstacles in life that prevent we the believers from really being able to love God and love people in the way that Jesus meant when He answered that question. One of the largest obstacles is the fact that the world demands society to look at one another and instantly pass judgement on one another solely based on our own personal opinions about what is right or wrong or what is acceptable or not. This leaves little to no room for being able to see people the way God sees people.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34-35

We see here in John 13 how Jesus explains how to love God and love people. Especially that the Church would love one another. Yes indeed. It is a lot more than just being nice and exercising manners while in public. As Jesus made obvious, this is a command! If we profess to be believers, disciples of Christ, we must understand this as one of those things that is not an option.

I personally do not see this command as having multiple ways of going about doing. Jesus simply said to “love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” This would require us to have a good understanding of just how Jesus loved us. Once we have that understanding, then we can hope to love others and be a proper witness in the world for the Kingdom of God!

Notice that as we pursue this understanding, the result would naturally be that we are moving away from the way of the world which calls us to treat one another based on our own judgements and opinions. The fact is that we cannot love others the way that Jesus loves us while picking sides and viewing those who are standing on other sides as the enemy. It is impossible to see what God sees in people if we are focused on what we believe are their faults or sins. Yes, I know, this is the most challenging to say the least.

God sees what He created in all human beings. After all, He is the creator. He does not make mistakes. Yes, He sees our sin. Yes, He knows our hearts. However, God’s plan has always been to allow Jesus to come into the world for the purpose of dealing with the problem of sin. The problem being that sin separates us from God an His Holiness and demands a payment, death.

This is God’s plan because when He looks at His creation, He see past the sin and sees what He intended for each of us. He sees what He loves. Oh, how powerful our witness could be if we could just see others the way God sees them! If only we could see people the way God sees them, we might consider that God loves each one therefore, how could I do anything other than love?

Oh, how powerful our witness could be if we could just see what God sees in ourselves! Too many of us struggle with loving ourselves because we do not see what God loves. If we would see what He loves, then we would consider that if God loves me then how could I not love me? Then, we would truly have the ability to understand exactly how and why Jesus loves us the way that He did and does!

So, I would encourage each of us to consider seeking the Lord prayerfully that we would continue to grow in our understanding of Just how it was and is that Jesus loves us. I would encourage each one to prayerfully seek the Lord for strength and wisdom as we are in the world as witnesses to the lost. Pray that we would see people the way the God sees people.

To God be the glory.

The Best Way to Pray for Your Community is to Pray for Yourself

On By Archie L. GilmerIn Culture & Conviction, Faith & Discipleship1 Comment

As disciples of Christ, we are to be in the world in such a way that we are exposing our communities to the love of God. It is the “great commission”! Everything we do and everything we are about should indicate that not only does God love us but also that we love God!

We have a powerful resource available to us that provides a pathway to success in this mission. Prayer! It is my belief that praying for someone is the most powerful thing you can do for a person. After all, prayer is entering into the presence of God by way of the blood of Christ who opened the door for it. We are invited into conversation with the Father. It is His will that the believers go into the world and make disciples. So, it would make perfect sense that we would start off by calling on Him for guidance, wisdom, and strength. I mean, otherwise how can we proclaim His will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven?

Over the time of my existence in this world, I have heard many who lament over the condition of our world or our nation and sometimes even the condition of our own communities. I submit to you that it is not proper to cry out for God to do something to make the world a better place without realizing our role in how He wants to do that.

Take a moment to think about it. When we cry out to God to bless our community or our nation, even the entire world because we see the condition of society and are concerned. But are we concerned about what God is concerned about? Do we want God to bless our communities for the reason He wants to bless them? If we are about making disciples and exposing the world to the Love of God, then Yes. Yes, we are in line with His plan!

Let us look at Paul’s ministry for a moment. As Paul traveled the world teaching and preaching the gospel message and loving the people, he often told them that he would be praying for them. However, the most powerful thing he ever did for his ministry effort was to pray. I mean that he prayed for himself.

That’s right. He prayed for himself. Yeah, I know. That sounds so selfish. But maybe the selfish prayer is asking God to bless our nation or community because it is not the way we like it. No, we must understand that the life of the disciple of Christ is a life that is about the mission of going into the world and reaching others with the gospel.

We can see in scripture that Paul understood the importance of praying for himself so much that he called on others to pray for him as well.

“and pray on my behalf, that utterance my be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.” – Ephesians 6:19

“praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.” – Colossians 4:3-4

“Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;” – 2 Thessalonians 3:1

If we really want our world to be better. If we really want people to suffer less and have more joy in life, then we must pray for ourselves! We must pray for ourselves because we, the Church, are the tool with which God is using to answer the prayers that we lift up for our Nation and our communities!

The bottom line is that God sees the condition of the world and the condition of our community! He also wants us to see it! So, when we cry out, please pray for our nation, or please pray for our community, just know that if you are in Christ, you are the answer!

Therefore, if we really want God to bless our community then we must pray for ourselves. In fact, I believe that praying for ourselves in the same way that Paul was asking other believers to pray for him, is the most powerful way to pray for others!

How will the lost ever know truth if we do not boldly live it in front of them?

I will be praying for all of you brothers and sisters and asking you to pray for me. That our witness will be bold and genuine for the sake of the gospel. For the sake of the lost!

To God be the Glory!

Christianity and Cancel Culture Cannot Co-Exist

On By Archie L. GilmerIn Culture & Conviction3 Comments

Since the opening ceremonies at the Paris Olympic Games, there has been much discussion and debate about the very offensive mockery of Christianity and the last supper presentation. Yes, I too take offense to the mockery that was allowed to happen before the entire world publicly.

I have read many different social media posts, news articles, as well as blog posts across the internet expressing different opinions and defending the actions from the other side of the conversation. It seems unavoidable if we are going to be involved in the goings on of this world.

I have heard many believers state that they plan to boycott the Olympic games and just not watch any of it. Understandably, this is their reaction to the highly offensive mockery of our God. I too initially had the same feelings at first. But after some prayerful consideration and pondering the different reactions around the world. I have come to a different conclusion. At least as it applies to the Olympic games and my reaction to the offensive actions at the opening statements.

I often think about what I find in chapter 17 of John’s gospel. This is where we find the most powerful prayer that ever was said. John recorded how our Savior communicated with the Father on our behalf. In the middle of that prayer, we can find something very important for all believers to consider. I mean, that is if we desire to be in the will of God. Verses 14-18 say,

“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As you sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” – John 17:14-18

As I am reacting to the events that were so offensive not only to me but to God Himself, I am tempted to “cancel” the Olympic Games from my life. I am tempted to boycott the games. However, as I ponder on the prayers of Jesus, I see that Jesus did not ask that we be taken out of the world. He did not ask the Father to separate us from the wickedness of this world but to give us the strength and courage to be in the world without being contaminated by its wicked ways.

The truth is that the world wants to “cancel” Christianity. More and more of todays society is working hard at limiting or erase Christianity from all areas of life. Anytime the world gets offended by anything that has to do with Christianity they try to “cancel” it. So, it does not make sense to me that we Christians actually “cancel” ourselves each time we get offended by the world. That is what we are doing sometimes when we boycott when we are offended.

I submit that Christianity and Cancel Culture cannot co-exist in the heart of the believer.

I am not saying that we must always be involved in everything that the world does that is offensive to our faith. However, I am saying that Jesus sent us into the world to be the witness. It is not possible to be the witness in the world if we continue to remove ourselves each time sinners do offensive and sinful things. After all, should we not expect those who are worldly to act that way?

More importantly, since we see that Jesus asked the Father not to take us out of the world, then why should we remove ourselves? No, I believe that God would rather us go into the world as commanded and be the light in a dark world. I think that it would be a missed opportunity if we boycott the Olympic Games. Because there are things happening that are offensive or that are sinful according to the word of God, it seems to me to be a good opportunity to engage in productive conversations with those in our community. A perfect opportunity to be the witness.

So, no. I do not believe I will boycott the Olympics. I will be offended by the things that offend God and pray for those who are the offenders. Not forgetting that there are many American athletes who have worked extremely hard to participate in their sport who may not have anything to do with the offensive actions of others. So as an American, the least I can do it support my fellow Americans as they compete and represent my country. All the while, being ready to have conversations about any and all situations that may happen along the way.

All for the glory of God!

When a Nation Calls on the Name of the Lord

On By Archie L. GilmerIn Culture & Conviction, Faith & DiscipleshipLeave a comment

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.”

– Psalm 33:12

Just one week prior to today, on July 14, 2024, I published a blog post entitled, “The Call for Prayer for Our Nation”. The purpose behind that blog post was to point out the real need. That need would be to encourage the Body of Christ to get busy about the Lord’s business. That is the business of making disciples. That is how I believe that any nation, including the United States of America, will be in line with the blessings of God.

As we all have been paying attention to the goings on in our nation and around the World, it is hard not to miss the obvious. That being, that many in society seem to be fading away from God or any idea of God in their lives. It seems to have become socially and politically unacceptable or at least undesirable to speak about personal faith in God let alone to claim to have anything to do with Christianity. In fact, it has been the impression for many, that Christianity of any form has been painted to be the enemy of today society today.

Franklin Graham speaks on the fourth and final day of the 2024 Republican National Convention (RNC) at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis., July 18, 2024. (Photo by Anthony Behar/Sipa USA)

As I mentioned in the last blog post, “The Call for Prayer for Our Nation” the best hope for this nation is for the body of Christ to be busy making disciples. It always has been the will of God to bring His loved ones to Himself. It has been His plan to use those who believe in His Son Jesus as Lord and Savior to help others to find Him. It is true. God does not hide Himself from those who genuinely are seeking Him.

The same is true for any group of people around the world. Any nation who pursues God will find Him. There is plenty of evidence throughout the history recorded in Old Testament scripture of God’s people being close to Him and then finding themselves away from His blessings. Each time this happened it is because they began to compromise and ultimately reject Him and His Lordship over their lives. When that did happen, the Israelites found themselves suffering at the hands of their enemies as well as suffering consequences from their sinful behavior. This did not happen because it was God’s will for them, it happened because it was their own will for themselves.

We can see, if we study the history of God’s people, that each time they strayed from Him, they would eventually come to face the truth and cry out to the Lord in repentance and He would restore them once again into His blessing. Some refer to this as the sin cycle. This sin cycle is evident with the Israelites in Old Testament scripture as well as every generation of people since Adam and Eve. Yes, even in today’s society. We individually as well as a people group or nation have been caught up in this sin cycle.

God has never changed. Sadly, neither has the human race. We still battle with sin and wrestle with the existence of God. We can have a few generations who draw near to God and surrender to His lordship and His presence is evident as peace is evident. But then there are generations who get too comfortable with His presence and all that it affords and begin to compromise. Compromise leads to neglect when it comes to our relationship with God. Ultimately, rejection is where we find ourselves. God is no longer welcome.

When a society arrives at this place of rejecting God, the peace and security is gone. Life is full of darkness and fear. Everyone begins to do what is right in his own eyes. Total chaos. All of the unthinkable ideas and acts suddenly are the norm. What has always been wrong is now right. What has always been right is now wrong. Anything that has to do with God and His will or His ways becomes the enemy of society. And it gets worse and worse as the generations come and go.

This is why it is urgent that the Body of Christ be busy about proclaiming the gospel to the lost! It is not until people start crying out to God that we as a people or a nation will begin to feel God drawing us into His presence again.

The Psalmist wrote this: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.” – Psalm 33:12

This was originally written about the nation of Israel. Israel is who God chose to be His people for the purpose of bringing our Savior into the world! Then we read in the New Testament that since Jesus was crucified and resurrected completing the law, there is grace. We read in Romans that the blood of Christ is for all who will believe, Jews and Gentile. We also have plenty of evidence that it is God’s desire that all would be saved.

The Word of God is clear about who will be saved. Who will be called His children. Those who believe and call on His name. And, since God is the same yesterday, today, and forever more, I believe that the truth of Psalm 33:12 is still true and applicable to any nation whose God is Lord!

Now I do not spend a lot of energy talking about politics. However, without promoting any party, agenda, or idea, I will point out that as I watched the Republican National Convention, I heard a lot of people talking about God and praying in Jesus’ name. Some even shared the gospel before all who were tuned in! Now, I do believe that there are people who believe in every political party. What stands out to me lately is when those who are in leadership of this nation have the courage to speak about God or even say the name of Jesus publicly is a big deal. And yes, it is true that I do not know if these politicians are saying these things as a political stunt or ploy. I figure that is between them and God.

One thing I will say about it all. It is obvious to me that there are some who call on His name and some who do not. That speaks loudly to me. Mostly, because as we all have been praying for our nation, I cannot help but wonder how God will draw us back into His blessings. Because, if we look into the book of Romans again, we will see that no one gets into leadership roles without God allowing it.

So, whether or not I approve of anyone who is on the political stage or not does not much matter. God has all the authority and sovereignty to use anyone whom He will to do His work to get the attention of not only this nation but the entire World! And, because He does not answer to me or anyone else, I suggest that those of us who are part of His church should stay busy making disciples and surrendering to God’s will being done on Earth as it is in Heaven!

I pray that God will continue to show our nation the way back to Him. Whatever that looks like and whatever that takes. Meanwhile, I will make every effort to help as many as possible to have the opportunity to know Jesus and call on the name of the Lord!

To God be the Glory!

The Call for Prayer for Our Nation

On By Archie L. GilmerIn Culture & Conviction, Faith & DiscipleshipLeave a comment

As I was working on the last bits of my Sunday morning sermon work on Saturday afternoon, July 13, 2024, I received a text informing me that President Trump had been shot.

I then turned on the news to see what was happening. It was indeed true. Yet he seemed only wounded, thank God.

What I had been praying against but also had been expecting had indeed taken place. It was only a matter of time before someone would resort to wicked violence against some politician in the midst of this political and social unrest in our nation.

While many are crying out in the streets and on social media that now is the time to pray for our country, I say it is long past time for that! I, one of many, have always prayed for our nation in many ways and for many reasons.

However, it has been made clear throughout the history of God’s people that it is when God’s people draw near to Him and turn away from their wicked ways, that is when God heals any nation. Including these “United” States of America!

Because of that fact, I believe the more urgent outcry would be that which Jesus Himself commanded us to go into the world and do!

That would be, get busy about the business of sharing the Gospel of Jesus to this hurting and chaotic world! If we the Church had been about doing that as expected, we may not be so far away from Him as a nation!

We should repent of our sluggardly approach to the command of our Lord! We are taught that as the world turns, things do not get better before our Savior returns! Therefore, the work of the Kingdom of God is urgent! There’s nothing new here. It always has been.

It seems as though many, yes even we believers, have more passion about politics and this nation than we do about the Kingdom of God and our Savior who shed His blood on the cross for true freedom!

We all seem content with tolerating the Godless nonsense that has taken a stronghold on society! As long as it doesn’t interfere with our comfort and entertainment filled lifestyles.

This is not a movie or some video game! This is life! It is time we all wake up and realize we are living in realville! In realville, wicked things happen because people do wicked things. That is why we all need Jesus!

Bottom line, the only hope for any kind of peace and joy in this world is to be a part of a great movement of revival among the body of Christ and get busy making disciples as we continue to pray for our nation and our leaders!

Yes! Pray for our nation. But pray that the Church would get busy and that the lost would be saved according to God’s Will! And that God would bless our nation again!

To God be the Glory!

Innocent By Standers

On By Archie L. GilmerIn Culture & Conviction, Faith & DiscipleshipLeave a comment

In the beginning of August, I wrote a blogpost about the possibility of Another Great Revival in America? In that post, I talked bout the concern for the Body of Christ as a whole and the need for a spiritual awakening! Also, that post talked about the struggles of compromise and shrinking back in the face of persecution and the pressures of the world.

As I continue with that thought but go a little bit deeper, I want to expose a real concern that many either already see and chose to ignore or most likely due to the noise and distraction of the mess that this society has become about cannot see it.

It was a few weeks ago as I was scrolling through social media, I came across a meme that simply stated, “When church is optional for parents it will usually be absent in the lives of the next generation.”

The person who share the meme is a good friend and brother in Christ, Kurt Honican. He not only is a preacher in the local church in Eastern North Carolina, but a man of God who is loved by many. When he posted this meme, he also wrote these words.

“Saw this on a friend’s page and it brought to mind one of my major concerns over the Covid pandemic… will folks become comfortable staying away from the Body of Christ and as a result, negatively alter future generations of the Church?”

Kurt and I have talked a few times about the condition of our congregations since the arrival of this virus. We have each had to make some tough decisions along with our respective church leaders. This is true for every congregation of believers in the world.

In an effort to expand on Kurt’s thoughts and concerns, which are mine as well, I would like to present a reminder to all of us who belong to the body of Christ. A reminder of some responsibilities that we have as disciples of Jesus.

  1. We are charged with the work of making disciples. Not only that, but to “go into all the world” as we find in Mark 16:15. It seems that there is no exception found that would apply to this command.
  2. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world.” As is found in Romans 12:2. The world is telling everyone be fearful and feel guilty. We are being told that being a disciple of Christ is wrong and not allowed. Our identity in Christ is being challenged and we are not to conform to this pattern. We are to be the salt of the Earth. We are to be different! We are to be the light in this darkness!
  3. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Found in Proverbs 22:6. Many times this part of the scripture is taken and applied falsely. Too many believe that if you just take you children to church that they will always turn to God or that they will always be considered saved.

This is just simply not true. This text is part of a bigger statement about what it means to be a godly person. A godly person is one who has a genuine relationship with God through the grace offered by the blood of Christ! A godly person is one who is totally submitted to the Lordship of Jesus and the Kingdom of God is first in all things. Including our children.

It was that same brother in Christ, Kurt Honican, who years ago was my son’s youth minister, taught that our children are not really our children. “They are God’s children and we are just babysitting”.

I think that he made a great point from a great perspective for all of us who are parents. If we are going to be godly people, godly parents, then we need to make it a priority to bring these children up in the ways of our Lord! After all, we all will give an account for how we raised God’s children in this world!

Those are just three reminders of many about the responsibility we have as disciples of Christ to honor God with every part of our lives. Including how we live in this world while dealing with Covid 19, social unrest, and political strife. Not to mention the life itself which comes with its own dose of stress.

It seems to me that we spend a lot of energy praying about, speaking out about, and even acting when possible against the horrific act of abortion. We do this because we care about the unborn lives that cannot speak for themselves. I pray that we will continue in that effort and that God will have His way in that matter. However, I cannot help but think about our children who have been born into this world.

You know, the ones who live in our homes and eat all our food and spend all our money. Yeah, those children. Well, when it comes to their spiritual lives, they too in a way do not have a voice. They are subject to whatever influence they are born into and continue to be exposed to. They watch the adults in their life intently and begin to imitate.

That means that if there are parents who are not godly parents or even parents who claim Christianity yet never display the life of a disciple before these children. The option is never presented to them and therefore as they reach an age of accountability will have limited to no chance to even consider being a disciple before being sucked into the ways of the world!

I believe that just as taking the physical life of an unborn baby is wrong, so too is robbing any child of the opportunity to choose for themselves everlasting spiritual life! If our children never get to see the life of a genuine disciple of Christ through their parents or grandparents, the likelihood of them genuinely meeting Jesus in a life changing way is diminished at best.

Final thought. I have been involved with and interacted with many congregations. Most of them “smaller” congregations. It seems to me that the concern for all of the smaller churches is that they do not have any young people. The young people either moved away or are going where all the other young people are going which many times is nowhere.

I have often wondered if the reason that some of these churches are in this condition because the older folks failed to do the work over the last generation or two. I am not really trying to point fingers, but I cannot help but think that my generation and older must be responsible for the younger generations not having the desire to know Christ.

This is not a church attendance issue. It is not about going to church every Sunday. It is about knowing Christ in a way that changes lives and saves souls. It is about our children being led into the presence of God and having opportunity to receive His grace! Going to church on Sunday morning is simply evidence of a person’s spiritual health!

I encourage you all, do not allow your children to be innocent by-standers who become victim to the wickedness of this world! Show them the way, the truth, and the life by being genuine disciples of Christ who stay committed no matter what is happening in this world!

Blessings to you all.

“Why Not Me?”

On By Archie L. GilmerIn Life & PerseveranceLeave a comment

Dustin Gilmer 1990-2020

If you know me personally, then you already know that my wife and I have been dealing with the loss of our son, Dustin L. Gilmer. He was killed when his van struck a concrete barrier dividing the interstate on which he was driving. This happened just days before his thirtieth birthday. We received a call at around 4:30 am on Friday August 7th, informing us about what had happened just a few hours earlier that morning.

I am unable to explain the shock and overwhelming pain that came over us during that moment. Never in my almost 49 years of life have I ever experienced such a total loss of control of myself. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. I could not even try to stop what was happening and felt completely helpless and destroyed.

It has been about six weeks now since this happened. During that six weeks my family and I had to do what everyone does who loses one they love. We had to identify my son’s body. Then we had to plan a funeral. Then we had to deal with his estate. In the middle of all that, we tried to process and cope with the reality that he was gone and that this in fact was happening in our family.

August 13, 1990

I feel that I can say that things were and are, even in his death, a bit different for us in that Dustin was born with a disability that caused him to live his life in a wheelchair. He was born with a disability which caused him to break bones really easily. In fact, when he was born the doctor informed me and his mother that he was not expected to live more than five years.

Pam, my wife, and I always felt that there was a good possibility that we would outlive Dustin due to his disability. Even though he was able to fight through the challenges of his disability and earn a great deal of independence, we believed that over time it would catch up to him and begin to take a toll. I prayed about that a lot. I guess for the past thirty years we lived with and dealt with his disability in a way that it simply became a part of who we are, and I guess became normal for us.

I was not a Christian when Dustin was born. However, I did talk to God every now and then. You know, the usual cry out to God when things are really bad. From the day he was born until he, my wife and I all gave our lives to Christ.

Since Dustin was born, my thoughts and payers were everything from why this disability happened to him, my son to “Lord if I could only trade places with him”. I went through just about every emotion I could go through during the first ten or twelve years of his life. Trying to figure out how to cope with my son and his suffering with this disability. During those years and really his entire life, we all learned how to function and be a family who not only suffered together because of the disability, but also to be able to move away from needing answers to our “why us” questions.

Over the years of Dustin’s life, we all learned many valuable lessons about how God works and how he does not work. We were able to grow as Christians and I believe that because of that, we were able to accept that God had allowed this disability and to be able to stand in the fact that God does not make mistakes. Therefore, we began to live in a place that helped us fall in line with what God was doing with Dustin’s life.

So when that day came when I received that phone call at 4:30 am informing me that Dustin was killed in a car wreck, in the middle of that devastating moment, I did not feel the need to ask, “why me?” or “why my son?”.

In the days and weeks after his death, my wife and I got in our truck and drove. I mean we drove for about four days. During that time, I could not stop thinking about all the godly men in the bible that had experienced tragedy. I thought about people like Abraham who was willing to kill his own son trusting that it was God’s plan. I also thought a lot about David who lost his son due to consequences of his own sinful behavior. Yet when God said “no” to his prayer that his son would live, David simply ended his fasting and prayer and continued serving God.

I mostly thought about Job. I continued to think about how much loss he had endured and remained faithful to God. He lost all of his children. Even though he was blessed with more children, I have no doubt that the loss of the first children made a lasting mark. There were plenty more people in the scriptures that I thought about who had suffered loss or tragedy. Yet they continued to be godly people.

I am simply sharing all of this because I think it was important for me to be reminded of the lesson that God had been teaching me for the past thirty years. It was as if God was reminding me by saying, “why not you?”. This is the lesson that was constant throughout the thirty years of my son’s life.

If we think about all the people throughout the history of mankind who were godly people and suffered. We will find many that were used greatly by God for His glory and for His will to be done on Earth as it is in Heaven! After all, Hebrews chapter 11 lists many of the “hall of famers” of the Bible. I think it is safe to say that none who were listed there lived without suffering.

Dustin, my son, would be the first to tell anyone that life is not fair. He would be the first one to tell anyone that bad things happen to good people and bad people. And he would also be the first one to tell anyone that in the middle of it all, God is doing something.

You know, 2020 has turned out to be a pretty crappy year for everyone. Like everyone else, I began the year paying a little bit of attention to the impeachment proceedings and wishing that it would be over, and we could move on to talking about something else.

Well, be careful what you wish for. I soon found myself after about three months of adjusting to COVID 19 precautions wishing we could go back and talk about the impeachment hearings! It was not long that I found myself, like everyone else, being overly stressed about the current events going on in the world.

I remember thinking about how I just started a new preaching position at our church and was excited about getting the church to grow and be successful about making disciples for Christ. It all seemed to come to an immediate stand still and I began to have the attitude of how it was not fair or right that our church was being affected like this. Not to mention the affects that it has had on me personally, just as it has on everyone else in the world.

Looking back now, I cannot help but continue to hear the words in my mind, “why not me?”. I think about all the generations over the ages who had to struggle and deal with world changing events. Wars, sicknesses, disasters, political and social issues, loss, and the like. I keep hearing, “why not me?”.

There were many generations since Adam and Eve that experienced a sudden and drastic change in the world which affected their lifestyles and comfort levels. So, the question continues, “why not me?”. Why would I be exempt from any kind of suffering or challenge? I live in the same world as they did. The same world that is contaminated by wickedness and sin since Adam and Eve! Who am I?

So, I must continue to ask myself, “why not me?”. Why shouldn’t I expect to take my turn at suffering and pain? This is the way life has been since the fall of man in the garden! This is the world we live in. God does not make mistakes and He allows suffering at times. So, “why not me?”.

God has brought many great things out of pain and suffering. And all of those things end in God being glorified and many have turned to Him for His saving grace because of the suffering that happens in the lives of His disciples. For the past thirty years, our family bible verse has been Romans 8:18.

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

So, I sit and think about the possibilities that God will use my suffering for His glory and for the sake of someone else’s soul! So, “why NOT me?”!

A final thought. I would not want this blog post to be taken as some kind of sad situation entirely. Certainly, it has its share of sadness, maybe m

Dustin L. Gilmer

ore than its share. However, if you knew my son at all, you would know that even though he lived in his wheelchair, he looked at the opportunities for success in his life and always asked the question, “why NOT me?”.

He lived his life well and also died well. I will forever be proud of my son and will forever give God the glory for the blessing that Dustin was for the last thirty years and will continue to always be.To God be the Glory for ever and ever! Amen!