NCRenegade

God Opens the Heart
By John Piper

One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. (Acts 16:14)

Everywhere Paul preached some believed and some did not. How are we to understand why some of those who are dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1, 5) believed and some did not?

The answer why some did not believe is that they “thrust it aside” (Acts 13:46) because the message of the gospel was “folly to [them], and [they were] not able to understand” (1 Corinthians 2:14). The mind of the flesh “is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot” (Romans 8:7).

Everyone who hears and rejects the gospel “hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed” (John 3:20). They remain “darkened in their understanding . . . because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart” (Ephesians 4:18). It is a guilty ignorance. The truth is available. But “by their unrighteousness [they] suppress the truth” (Romans 1:18).

But why then do some believe, since all are in this condition of rebellious hardness of heart, dead in their trespasses? The book of Acts gives the answer in at least three different ways. One is that they are appointed to believe. When Paul preached in Antioch of Pisidia, the Gentiles rejoiced and “as many as were appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48).

Another way of answering why some believe is that God granted repentance. When the saints in Jerusalem heard that Gentiles, and not just Jews, were responding to the gospel, they said, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18).

But the clearest answer in Acts to the question why a person believes the gospel is that God opens the heart. Lydia is the best example. Why did she believe? Acts 16:14 says, “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.”

If you are a believer in Jesus, all of these happened to you: You were appointed to believe; you were granted to repent; and the Lord opened your heart. The rest of your life you should be overflowing with amazed thankfulness at the miracle that you are a believer.

Things are now starting to get fast and furious. Outside of China, covid-19 is swiftly breaching defense lines all over the world. 

Italy is suddenly in big trouble — with the military being called in to enforce city quarantines. 

Iran, South Korea & Japan similarly find themselves overwhelmed as new cases continue to spread unabated. And there are many other countries (including the US) whose low reported numbers just don’t appear believable at this point.

We may soon find out that there are many more infections worldwide than are currently understood.

As China, Italy, South Korea and a growing list of other countries are showing us, outbreaks can happen extremely fast, slamming the door shut on your window to prepare.  Which is why taking action now is critical — because a gov’t lockdown will likely catch you by surprise (armed troops, empty store shelves).

After the moment it’s implemented, you will have to make do with whatever measures you put in place beforehand.

Meanwhile we’re being able to quantify the damage of the current shutdown of China’s economy. China is responsible for nearly 30% of world’s manufacturing, and it’s estimated that at this point, global trade will take a hit of nearly $600 billion. And it gets worse. Millions of Chinese firms are going bankrupt from lack of cash flows — a national bailout by China’s banks is likely needed to keep a huge part of its industry from vaporizing. 

One social front, we’re hearing stories of families giving up babies they can no longer afford, as folks are becoming homeless due to lack of income.  This is likely a preview of what’s to come for other countries hard hit by this virus. 

This is why the downplaying to-date of the coronavirus by world authorities is so dangerous. The risk is real and the costs are high. The masses should be preparing now. 

But until they are, we need to be ahead of the curve.

The above is a portion of this PDF. I have previously written about the collusion surrounding Mark Meadows, Lynda Bennett and Jane Bilello for the transfer of power of the US House of Representatives seat in the 11th District of North Carolina. As stated in the post:

Jane Bilello blew a fuse, aiming all manner of hostility directed to Eddie Cabe and myself. This is where the e-mail dialog begins. Make yourself some popcorn, relax and enjoy…

I recommend reading this transcript for several reasons:

1. It shows how little regard the Asheville TEA PAC has for recommending candidates based on qualifications and character.
2. While several people and outlets have stated that the audio where Lynda Bennett declares herself a never Trumper has been edited, the information embedded in the PDF validates the audio as factual. As do the people that I personally contacted tonight to verify the recording
3. I believe it is the responsibility of the people to do their own research on political candidates before casting a vote. Votes should not be cast based on endorsements by Political Action Groups. And votes definitely should not be cast based on the recommendation of an existing representatives in this case who is more interested in anointing his chosen replacement instead of the best qualified candidate.

It appears that people in the 11th District are now in the second phase where the truth is violently opposed.

Will we have time to have the truth become self-evident before the primary? Ask yourself a simple question: why are the people leading the charge against Lynda Bennett the ones who personally know her?

David DeGerolamo

The Hour of Unusual Threat
By John Piper

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. (1 Peter 4:14)

Many Christians in the world today do not know the life-threatening danger that comes with believing in Christ. We have gotten used to being free from such persecution. It seems like the way things must be. 

So, our first reaction to the threat that things might be otherwise is often anger. But that anger may be a sign that we have lost our sense of being sojourners and exiles (“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles . . .” 1 Peter 2:11). 

Perhaps we have settled too much into this world. We don’t feel as homesick for Christ as Paul did: “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).

Many of us need the reminder, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12). It isn’t strange.

Have you ever wondered how you will do in the hour of final trial? The gunman has you in his sights and asks, “Are you a Christian?” Here is a strong word to give you hope that you may do better than you think.

Peter says, “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1 Peter 4:14). This encouragement from Peter says that in the hour of unusual threat (whether insult or death) there will be “a Spirit of glory and of God resting on us.” Doesn’t that mean that God gives special help in the hour of crisis to those who suffer because they are Christians?

I don’t mean he is absent from our other sufferings. I just mean that Peter went out of his way to say that those who suffer “for the name of Christ” will experience a special “resting” on them of “the Spirit of glory and of God.”

Pray that this would be your experience when the trial comes. There will be resources of endurance in that moment that we do not have any other time. Take heart.