Stand Up for Jesus

Have you ever witnessed or experienced a form of discrimination?  In researching this topic I read, "Age discrimination, employment discrimination, racial discrimination, disability discrimination, reverse discrimination, religious discrimination to name a few – discrimination is actively practiced throughout the world."  In today’s humanity, it is naïve not to be aware of religious discrimination – specifically discriminate behavior toward Christians. I personally hear about true accounts and events on a consistent basis. Perhaps you’re familiar with the NAACD, Inc? The National Alliance Against Christian Discrimination (NAACD, Inc.) – Their website says it is, "A nationwide effort to monitor and speak out against anti-Christian bias, bigotry, intolerance, defamation, and discrimination towards Bible believers. They are a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) educational and religious organization. " (I have no affiliation with them whatsoever). I encourage you to check out their website – read true life examples for yourself. I have copied a couple of brief articles from their page for this post:

Bible Club Bullied
“A university in Ohio has threatened the future of a campus Bible organization for requiring voting members and office holders be Christian. According to Campus Bible Fellowship representative Gary Holtz, his group had been a registered student organization at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, for more than 30 years. Upon seeking re-registration for 2009, however, the university denied the Bible group’s access to facilities, student club fairs, advertising venues and recruiting opportunities—essentially blacklisting the club—because of CBF’s requirement that voting members adhere to a doctrinal statement and a belief in Jesus. A Christian rights group is now helping them.” (WorldNetDaily. 3/3/09.)

Elementary School Blots Out God
“An elementary school in Tennessee, after successfully rebuffing an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit over religious expression on campus, has nonetheless ordered the words ‘God Bless the USA’ and ‘In God We Trust’ covered up on student-made posters in the hallway.
Administrators at Lakeview Elementary School in Mr. Juliet, Tenn., told parents that the posters, promoting the See You at the Pole student prayer event, mentioned ‘God’ and are therefore precluded by school board policy and prohibited in the always as inappropriate.
‘Christian students shouldn’t be censored for expressing their beliefs,’ said ADF Senior Counsel Nate Kellum in a statement. ‘It’s ridiculous as well as unconstitutional to cover up these references to God and prayer—one of which is the national motto.’” (WorldNetDaily. 3/3/09)

We all know the saying “Life isn’t fair,” but it’s healthy to note that the evil one DOES target the Believer.  Christians are often the target of reverse discrimination – I encourage you to stand up in the right way, at the right time, and in the right spirit! Previously, I have quoted the scripture in 1Peter 5:8 “be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring Lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” I don’t know about you, but if a lion were stalking me, literally trying to kill me, and I could SEE it, FEEL it, or HEAR it…I’d act differently. Wouldn’t you? I would take precautions! The Bible doesn’t lie. It is infallible in every way. The Word does describe the evil one as this roaring lion –Take heed, Christian. Let’s not be overly confident within ourselves. Take precaution first – then take action! Be aware of your environment, your kids’ environment. If you find yourself being discriminated against because of your love of God, you are not alone! Many have been martyred in Jesus’ name – many will continue to be persecuted. Phillipians 1:29 tells us “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.”

Have you heard of the Thompson brothers, Joshua and Caleb, from Austin, Texas? I first came to know of them through mutual Christian friends about six years ago. I saw a video testimony from their mom, Mona, and it made an incredible impact on me. {You can now find this video by Mona Thompson on YouTube}  On December 10, 2003, the lives of 24 year old pastors, Joshua and Caleb Thompson, and that of their families were altered in a most drastic way. The twenty-four year old twin brothers, never convicted as so much as a traffic ticket prior to this situation, were convicted in an Austin, TX Court of Law for injury to a child. Pastor Joshua was sentenced to twenty-six years and Pastor Caleb to fourteen years in the Texas State Penitentiary. They applied corporal punishment to an eleven year-old boy who attended their church. {This punishment was authorized by the child’s mother prior to school admission. Apparently, he had been “kicked out” of public schools prior to entering this private setting}.

I am not arguing guilt or innocence, but rather that their sentences are unreasonably severe. Christian/religious discrimination if I’ve ever seen an account! This does and can happen to “regular people” and “regular” Christians! Right here in America!  Lots of allegations of severe beatings, tree branches, intensive care and other misinformation were heinously depicted by the media.  Part of what is most disturbing to me, is that a convicted child molester or serial rapist can get out in less than 3 years but they will lock these men up for decades. Something is seriously wrong.  Life Moment - God is in actuality using these two men in their current environment. They have led many to the saving knowledge of Christ Jesus. We can be used in our current situation too!

You’ve seen or experienced the “nice guys finish last,” adage? I have too. Unfortunately there’s often an underlying truth in that statement. But, let’s be reminded it’s on the short-term! Our treasures are in heaven. Eternally!  This reminds me of one particular work place occurrence - in a “different life” I was required to demote the boss’s sidekick. By sidekick I mean extra-marital affair; I don’t know any other way to say it. Sometimes we Believers just need to call it as we see it. Stop “nice-ing up” everything. This extracurricular behavior isn’t shocking – with our divorce rates what they are, “work husband and work wife” mentalities, our work places are often a den of iniquity!  Life Moment – If you have a workplace spouse, whom you aren’t married to, divorce them! It’s not a formula for a happy marriage at all. So, the individual was under-performing in many ways and wasn’t meeting company benchmarks on any satisfactory level – even after much teaching, coaching, and mentoring. It was the right decision. Sometimes we must recognize what’s simple – you can’t teach someone who doesn’t want to learn, an old dog CAN learn a new trick of they have a willing heart and the right teacher, and people aren’t always promoted based on job skill and talent.  No doubt about it – a Christian can find himself in a firepot before he knows it! Well, you know who had to do the dirty work – and you also know who the “odd man out” was after the demotion. It wasn’t really fair – it wasn’t really nice – in fact it was treating the nice guy with discrimination!  How does that happen? Our intentions were good but we’re misunderstood? We meant well, but it backfired on us? It came out wrong. You didn’t mean it like it sounded. You don’t have a hidden agenda. You were in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Those things have probably happened to you before too. As I stated before, know your environment! Be aware! And you know what? God will open another door. The correct door! He always will. And often…it’s a better door! Don’t let unfair or misguided treatment define who you are! Let it go – I encourage you to find your voice – stand up for Jesus – resist religious discrimination! And then let God do with it what He wants to. Leave it on the altar!  Life Moment: Continue to be nice. Give respect even when someone doesn’t necessarily deserve it. You won’t regret it. Try not to judge others. It’s really not our place! There’s one thing about it – if you had to list your sins in a book – wouldn’t your book be lengthy?

My book would be War and Peace length…

Look UP my friends!

Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus
By: George Duffield

Stand up, stand up for Jesus
As soldiers of the cross.
Lift high his royal banner;
It must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory
His army he shall lead
Till every foe is vanquished
And Christ is Lord indeed.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus;
The trumpet call obey;
Stand forth in mighty conflict
In this his glorious day.
Let all his faithful serve him
Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger
And strength to strength oppose.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus;
Stand in his strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you,
You dare not trust your own.
Put on the Gospel armor;
Each piece put on with prayer.
Where duty calls or danger,
Be never wanting there.