Tag: christian

17
Aug 2022
AUTHOR Cassie Hernandez

It Is Written Announces Grounded, A New Revival Series Airing in October

From October 19 to 22, It Is Written will present Grounded. Grounded is a revival series focused on leading viewers into a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God. Presented by John Bradshaw, Grounded will broadcast live from Knoxville, Tennessee. Grounded will air on It Is Written TV, 3ABN, Facebook, and YouTube. Churches and small groups are encouraged to sign up to stream the series. Register and find free promotional materials at grounded.study.

Each session will consist of a one-hour topic presentation, followed by a half-hour Bible study. Churches and small groups can watch the broadcasted Bible study or purchase the It Is Written Bible Study Guides and conduct their own Bible study in-person.

“Grounded is an excellent opportunity to grow your faith in God, and to invite others to do the same,” says Bradshaw, It Is Written president. “Grounded is specially designed for both people of faith and people who are only beginning their journey with Jesus. Grounded will give us an opportunity to strengthen our walk with Christ, settle deeply into the teachings of the Bible, receive more of the Holy Spirit, and prepare for the momentous times just before us.”

Grounded will air at 7:00 p.m. EDT October 19-22, with a replay each night at 10:00 p.m. EDT on It Is Written TV. A Saturday presentation will also be broadcast at 11:00 a.m. EDT. Viewers may watch live on 3ABN, the It Is Written Facebook and YouTube pages, or It Is Written TV. It Is Written TV is available at itiswritten.tv, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and Google Play. Archives will be available on demand on Facebook and YouTube after the livestream.

For more information, visit grounded.study or call 844-974-8836 (844-WRITTEN).

29
Oct 2020
AUTHOR Cassie Hernandez

You Can’t Be My Friend If You Vote for…

To say that politicians are worse today than ever before is probably an indicator that we have selective memories. Politics and politicians in “the good old days” weren’t squeaky clean and didn’t always aim their blows above the belt. Moral questions go back just about as far as does the presidency, as do political scandals. The Burr-Hamilton duel; the Trail of Tears under Presidents Jackson and Van Buren; Watergate; and much more. There has been political trouble for as long as there has been politics.

But this election season seems to be more vitriolic than ever. Voters themselves seem to be reacting differently in this election. It is far from uncommon to see social media posts saying, “If you’re voting for Candidate X, you cannot be my friend.” Which is beyond disconcerting. One of the great strengths of the United States of America–arguably the great strength–is that people are entitled to their opinion. If we have not been able to agree with each other, we have historically been able to agree to disagree. It’s not simply that the first amendment protects the right to free speech. It’s that free speech flows out of free thought. One of the truly frightening things about Eastern European communism was that people could be punished on the basis of what they believed. In the United States, you are still free to say publicly that you don’t approve of a certain elected official or that you dislike the way the country is being run. But while the constitution guarantees free speech, increasing numbers of people today are tolerant only of their own point of view. Dissent might be a constitutional right, but it seems more and more people aren’t willing to extend that right to their fellow humans. And that attitude of intolerance can easily be found among people of faith. That is, even in the church.

While the media has every incentive to traffic in sensationalism and polarizing politics, the truth is that politics really isn’t that important. That is, while foreign policy, economic policy, and social policy have a direct bearing on the way society operates, the Christian stands where Jesus stood. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight… but now my kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36). As much as you may or may not like Candidate X or Candidate Y, presidents come and go. Some are perhaps better than others. Some are more popular than others. But the Christian remembers that she or he is not on this planet to be primarily concerned with election results. Regardless of who is voted into public office, the believer’s mandate does not change: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Anger about the political process and vilification of those who don’t share one’s views are evidence that one’s priorities are in a mess. If Christians campaigned for Jesus as energetically as some campaign for politicians, if believers posted their views about the gospel as much as they post their views about politics, the gospel might have by now gone to the world.

It’s natural to care about the way your country is being run. Entirely appropriate. But beyond a certain point, there is nothing to be gained from investing emotional energy in politics which would better be invested in sharing Christ. Translation: Whether President Donald Trump is reelected or former Vice President Joe Biden unseats him to claim the White House, the Christian’s role is unchanged. Our job is to lift up Jesus that He might “draw all peoples to” Himself (John 12:32). We have been informed that “this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations” (Matthew 24:14). Followers of Jesus can’t afford to lose their focus now, election season or not. Satan hasn’t lost his focus. It is too easy to get sidetracked by good things, let alone bad. Our ability to effectively share the gospel is not enhanced by taking strident political positions. However the election result goes, things are almost certainly going to be messy. If you can’t be someone’s friend because of the way they vote, it’s time to rethink your relationship with Jesus.

As Christians, we have to be better than that. 

6
Feb 2020
AUTHOR Cassie Hernandez

At the Right Time

God’s time is the right time. It may not always make sense, but it is always the right time. I was recently vividly reminded of that in two very different places in the world: Indianapolis, Indiana and Beirut, Lebanon. These are two of the places in the world where It Is Written is actively involved in sharing Jesus with people. Our approach is simple: Go where God leads and build relationships with those we encounter. This method has proven to be extremely successful.

A couple weeks ago, a group of us went into diverse Indianapolis neighborhoods to distribute the first lesson of the It Is Written Bible Study Guides. By the time we were done, 57 individuals had gladly accepted the lesson and were open to receiving another one the following week. David and Sandy, who were part of our team, stopped by the house of a lady who was watching a preacher on television. She explained to them that she was confused about what he was teaching. That’s when Sandy opened her Bible and clarified the confusion straight from the Word of God. The lady was so thankful that she invited them to come back. They did, and together around a table, they are now opening the Bible and allowing it to speak for itself.

A few days ago, just like in Indianapolis, a group of us went into the suburbs of the city of Beirut in Lebanon. There was some fear and trepidation because this city is made up of people who are committed to their family’s religion. But where God leads, He opens doors. And He amazingly did that for us. Two of our volunteers found a woman who told them that she’s been recently reading the Bible but having a hard time understanding it. My two friends eagerly gave her the first study of a series that they explained would help her understand the Bible. She was so happy. They were at her house at the right time.

Even though I don’t speak any Arabic, I joined two other volunteers to go where God would lead us. As we approached a busy apartment building, we ran into a lady who was buzzing someone at the door. My Lebanese friend started conversing with her. She gladly interacted with him. Even when her family joined her downstairs she was in no rush to end the conversation. When we offered her the Bible study lesson, she took it with a smile and was open to another lesson in a week. As we parted, we remarked that if we had arrived at the apartment a minute or two later we would have missed this family altogether. God’s timing. After just two days of going into the community like this, 50 homes are open for a return visit. Isn’t that awesome?!

Keep praying for It Is Written and our faithful volunteers who go into the highways and byways to find people for Jesus. Millions and billions are searching for something better in life, and we have what they are looking for: Jesus.

The city skyline of Beirut, Lebanon.