Our Only Hope For Real Freedom

As you no-doubt have heard, the United States Supreme Court is hearing cases related to California's voter-established ban on same-sex marriage as well as other cases related to the rights of gays and lesbians to marry. While it seems like everyone is focusing on either side's agenda, I think we sometimes get so caught up in the issue at hand that we miss the bigger picture.

No one on earth is without sin. Whether it be covetousness, the spirit of murder, adultery, or any other manifestation of our pride, everyone suffers from the effects of the fall of humanity in Genesis 3. Jesus came to earth to mend our broken relationship with God, yet without Jesus, our relationship with God remains unrestored. The real problem is not how marriage is being defined by our government, but an issue of bondage to sin and brokenness at a much deeper level in America. How can we stand for marriage while pornography ravages our own pulpits? We have a greater need.

We hear about how America is going to be judged for her sins of immorality and abortion, but I tell you the judgement is upon us and it is the removal of truth from our land. Throughout history God often judges nations not only through military conflict or natural disaster, but by removing their ability to discern right and wrong. You can read in Isaiah 59 about how truth was "slain in the streets," or in Malachi 3 where God removed the people's ability to distinguish between the righteous and the wicked. We live in a such an hour of American history. 

Yet I am stirred by Peter's writings:

"For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. . . The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may PRAY. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." - 1 Peter 4:3-5,7-8

It is true that real justice, and the definition of marriage, comes only from the Lord. While we stand for truth, we must remember who we are standing against (Ephesians 6:12). Our stand for truth is a cry for mercy and an invitation into real freedom that can only be found in Jesus.

The Point of Life Outreach Photos

Pray for the Point Of Life Outreaches

By now you know that we are hosting gospel presentations in the three major school districts of Kansas City this month, encompassing 30,000 students. Rather than recite all of the details in this blog post, I would like to appeal for prayer in a critical time of need.

Hosting an outreach in a school rather than a church changes everything about how the outreach is done and adds dozens of potential disasters if things do not go according to plan in each school. We cannot deny that the devil will surely throw curve balls into our plans, so we desperately need a constant prayer covering. The sound system could break down (happened before), the sound technician provided by the school could have a complication, students or teachers may protest the outreaches, members of our team may become sick, and of course we need prayer for everyone who might attend and hear the Gospel.

We are only one week away from our first outreach, so I am asking you to mark your calendar and commit to pray, wherever you are, for each outreach. Few things we do have this much potential to change so many lives in a single night, or paint so large a target on our backs for the enemy. Please labor with us in prayer for the transformation of this city through these outreaches.

Here is a list of things to prayer for:
- A hedge of protection around our leadership team (Psalm 91)
   - Worship Team
   - Drama Team
   - Promotional Team
   - Administrative Team
   - Speakers
- Blessing/protection for the school administrators who are allowing these events
- For the Lord to prepare the hearts of those who will be attending and hearing the Gospel (Matt 13:1-8)
- Literally pray for the sound system to work...
- Blessing/protection for the sound/light techs that the school provides
- For students to open up during the small group time at the end of each outreach
- Against persecution or protesters
- Blessing/protection for youth pastors who are promoting and/or serving at the outreach

"Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified" - 2 Thessalonians 3:1