What do the Battle of New Orleans and Satan have in common?

      What do the Battle of New Orleans and Satan have in common? 


      Sing along with me: “In 1814 we took a little trip along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississip.  We took a little bacon and we took a little beans, and we fought the bloody British in the town of New Orleans.”

Okay, so if you know that song, you’re a senior citizen, like me.

What do the Battle of New Orleans and Satan have in common?





First, let’s read Satan’s declaration in Isaiah 14:12-14:

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations!

“For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the most High.’” (NKJV)


      In his pride, ambition, and self-will, Lucifer declared independence from his Creator, the Most High God. He set himself equal to God. Lucifer’s rebellion was a declaration of war on God and thus a declaration of war on God’s most beloved creation—Mankind. So, the war of the universe had begun.


     My pastor often says, “Pride is the firstfruit of unbelief.” Look what pride did to Lucifer, impacting the entire human race. 


     Satan’s rebellion and the Battle of New Orleans have something in common.


     I was recently reminded that the Battle of New Orleans took place a few days after the signing of the Treaty of Ghent which was the peace treaty that ended the War of 1812.


     American, Bvt. Maj. General Andrew Jackson and British, Maj. General Sir Edward Packenham were unaware that that the war had ended. Though Jackson’s victory boosted the total American win of the war, the loss of life was unfortunate and unnecessary, about 250 Americans and about 2,000 British soldiers died on the battlefield that day. (This battle lasted approximately 30 minutes and 2,250 men died!)


      Consider the war casualties after the war had actually ended. What a shame!


      So, what do the Battle of New Orleans and Satan have in common?


      Consider the war casualties of death, unfulfilled lives and purposes, lack of victory, ill health, lack of peace, and on and on, in the lives of God’s children who don’t realize or have forgotten that the cosmic war between good and evil has been won—it’s over and done. “It is finished.”


      Jesus defeated Satan when He was crucified, restored to life, and walked out of the grave.


      We need to be continually mindful of this truth. We fight battles regularly, even daily. We have anxieties, think bad thoughts, suffer physical and emotional pain, get mad or frustrated, and so on. It’s part of life. But the ultimate victory is ours when we’re trusting in Christ Jesus, even when some outcomes don’t go our way.  


      I often remind myself what Jesus said. “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NASB).


      Let’s remember, every day, that Satan is defeated. Jesus already won the war and victory is already ours because we are His.


      Please join me in prayer. Holy God, thank You for sending Jesus to defeat Satan. Only Jesus could have stood against such a foe. And now, with the Spirit of Christ in us, we too have the power to win against Satan’s devices.  Help us to be mindful daily that Jesus already won the war and we can take courage, knowing He has overcome the world and we are His own. In Jesus name we pray—Amen. 

©Copyright 2019 Connie Wohlford

Daddy Defender

This little story about my dad tells of an occurrence that happened fifty-plus years ago. To me it’s a precious memory. I posted it last year and want to post it again, slightly edited.  “Happy Father’s Day, Daddy, in Heaven.”

Though most of Daddy's barbering was done in his shop, he was known to cut hair in many places, from Mission Beach, CA to Athens, GA & Seymore Johnson Air Force Base, NC --- from 1 year old great grands to 100 year old Uncle Tom.

Daddy Defender

 

    I walked into the restaurant to pick up a breakfast order for a group I was meeting with when I spotted my father’s old friend, eating alone at a small table.

     “Hi, Moose. Do you remember me?” I said, as I leaned in toward the small framed old man. 

     I do mean old man. Moose was ninety-seven years old at the time of this encounter. I had not seen him for a couple years and wasn’t sure how his memory was holding up. 

     “Of course, I know you, Connie. I’ll never forget the day you came in the barbershop and told your dad you were going to your horseback riding lesson.” Moose and I had had this very conversation many times before. He loved my father and apparently, he loved this occurrence from our distant past.

     I couldn’t hold back the grin as Moose continued on, rehearsing the story with amazing accuracy for a man so advanced in years. I listened intently to this friend, customer, and VFW comrade of my father. Since he had died a year earlier, I felt warmly connected to Daddy while in Moose’s presence.

     I left the restaurant with my mind full of memories of Daddy and friends like Moose and of going to VFW picnics and events at the old VFW hall. Mostly, I tried to recall, minute by minute, the incident at Daddy’s barbershop that day. I was always amazed it had left such a lasting impression on Moose.   

  

     The event at the barbershop occurred when I was sixteen or seventeen years old. On this particular day I had stopped by Daddy’s shop after school to report in and tell Daddy I was heading to my horseback riding lesson. 

      Daddy smiled and said, “Got your money?”  

      I nodded and he raised his clippers to wave me on.

      As I turned to leave, a customer who was waiting his turn for a haircut, spoke up and haughtily said, “You don’t have to pay money to learn to ride a horse.” 

     Silence fell over Central Barber Shop.

     Hands dropping to his sides, clinching comb and clippers, my father squared his shoulders, inhaled, looked the man in the eye, and with a slightly raised voice stated, “She earned that money herself and can spend it on anything she wants.”

     That simple statement settled the matter. After about half a minute of dead silence, the buzz of the other barbers’ clippers and the low talking of male voices resumed. 

     Glancing at Daddy’s flushed face, I left and prayed he would not have a heart attack over the episode. 

     While driving to the horse farm, I couldn’t help but wonder why the man made the remark. For a moment it made me feel small. 

     But thanks to my father, that was a short moment. With no hesitation, Daddy stepped up and took up for me in the face of ridicule.

   

     To people reading this, the whole incident may seem so small it’s hardly worth writing about. But to me, even fifty plus years later, I remember Daddy defending me that day. I left his shop holding my head high, knowing my honor had been upheld and that my father loved me enough to speak up even at the risk of losing a customer. 

Daddy and me - I was about 19 years old here

     Obviously, I’m not the only one the event left an impression on. Through the years, when Moose and my paths would cross, he almost always brought it up so we could share the memory together. The unspoken, yet most valuable component of our memory was the man—Rudy Edwards—his friend, my father.      

                                             

     Each time the barbershop incident arose, we were lifting up a man we both loved and admired. It’s amazing how such a brief moment in time can travel through decades and remain alive in the hearts of an old WWII vet and a now grandmother who was once the teen girl who never had to doubt her father’s love and loyalty. 

Nominal vs. Actual Christian

Nominal vs. Actual Christian            

Are you a Christian? Are you a nominal or an actual Christian?

If you’ve been around Christendom for very long you likely have heard the term, nominal Christian. The Google definition of nominal is “existing or being something in name only … may vary from the actual.” Synonyms are minimal and token. *

On the other hand, actual is defined as “existing in fact or reality, … not false.” Synonyms are authentic and genuine. **

The Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization (LCWE), founded by Billy Graham, defines a nominal Christian as "a person who has not responded in repentance and faith to Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord." The LCWE notes that such a person "may be a practicing or non-practicing church member …  He may give intellectual assent to basic Christian doctrines and claim to be a Christian.” *** 

Photo by Josh Felise from Unsplash

I propose that a nominal Christian is a Christian in name only and thus not a Christian at all, according to the whole truth of Scripture. Ultimately, it is God who defines Christian—not any man. He is the final judge—not any man.

But if a person is not quite sure, especially if they don’t know exactly what the Bible really says about being a true follower of Jesus Christ, then it is of upmost importance to find out. Since one’s eternal destination depends on it, it’s the most important thing about anyone’s life, because none of us know when we’ll breathe our last breath. 

The gospel writer, Matthew warns that in that day some will proclaim, “Lord, Lord,” but will be turned away from God’s Eternal Kingdom and hear God say, “I never knew you; depart from me.”

God knows the thoughts and intents of every man’s heart. He knows thoroughly every sin and motive. The final reckoning will be done by the God of Creation. Only He knows, with certainty, what each one has done with His Son, Jesus, who came to earth to redeem whoever would believe and receive Him.

With God as the judge, there will be no explaining, no rationalizing, and no arguing. There will be no opportunity for a change of heart or a change of mind. 

“And it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement” (Hebrews 9:27 NKJV).

A few years ago, when my grandson was about fourteen years old, we were discussing the recent death of a family member. I mentioned that at least that person was a Christian so we could be confident they were with Jesus and we would see them again. 

My grandson said, “Well if someone is not a Christian when they die, they can decide to be one then, can’t they?” 

I was surprised at his words, because here was a young fellow who had gone to church regularly all of his life. I was grateful to have to opportunity to get him straightened out on this primary Christian doctrine. And he seemed grateful to have accurate information. This is a Bible truth of upmost importance!

Granted, he was young. But he was a church kid—one who professes Christianity. 

When discussing questions like, “Are you ready to meet your maker?” and “Are you going to Heaven when you die?” I have heard people say things like, “Well, I sure hope so.” 

Another frequent answer is, “Well, I’m a good person.” 

What would be your answer? Or, how have you heard others respond?

The above answers suggest a lack of understanding of what it means to be a Christian—a true follower of Christ Jesus. Hoping so indicates a lack of assurance. An actual Christian would know what the Bible says well enough to know where they stand. 

Here are suggestions of what to do if you are not completely sure, beyond a doubt, that you are a born-again Christian—if you don’t have assurance that you’ll go to Heaven when you die—I suggest you do these things:

1- Pray right now and ask God to lead you to the way of salvation.

2- Say “Yes” to Jesus. “Yes, Jesus, I believe You are who the Bible says You are. I believe in You and want You to live in me. Please help me live according to Your ways. In Jesus name, amen.

3- Read the Bible, especially the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Learn Jesus. Get to know Him. He’s your Savior. 

4- Get involved in a Bible believing church. Don’t just attend on Sundays. Faithfully attend a Sunday School class or Bible study. Become a part of what God is doing in your community through His church.

5- Talk with an authentic Christian and tell that person of your decision to follow Jesus. Beware, there are lots of preachers and spiritual leaders who are themselves not actual Christians. The blind leading the blind is not what you need. It is God’s desire that none parish in Hell for eternity. (2 Peter 3:9) 

God gives us free will and we each choose for ourselves what we will do with Jesus. Therefore, the eternal destination for each of us is our own choice. 

  

“What a heartbreak it would be to live an almost Christian life, then almost get into Heaven.” -Author unknown

 

Jesus said, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me” (Matthew 15:8).  

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 NKJV).

Timothy proclaims that in the last days it will be common for people to commit many and various sins yet “having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Timothy 3:1-7)

The Apostle John said, “He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4 JKJV). 

Do you call yourself a Christian?  

Are you a nominal Christian or an authentic Christian?

When you pass through death’s portal and come face to face with the Living God, He will not ask that or any other questions because He will know. You will have already decided. Your decision to believe in and follow Jesus or not, prior to that moment, is all that matters. 

Please be sure you have the right answer. Eternity is a long, long time.

©Copyright 2019 Connie Wohlford

* https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nominal

** https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/actual

*** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nominal_Christian