A prayer about pornography

Original post: A Prayer about Sexual Brokenness and the Impact of Pornography.
Author: Scotty Smith
Date: July 29, 2013

     Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? . . . Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Rom. 7:21-24, 8:1-2

Dear Lord Jesus, current events in our US news remind us just how current the ongoing issue of sexual brokenness really is. There’s no aspect of our humanity that more clearly reveals the ravaging effects of sin, and our desperate need for your grace, than our sexuality. Without casting stones, we lift our prayers.

For friends, spouses and families impacted by the destructive and enslaving grip of pornography, and other expressions of sexual sin, we cry for mercy, grace and deliverance. Only the gospel offers the wisdom and power requisite for the task. Thus, we run to you today with great hope for our grave concerns.

O Lord of resurrection and redemption, bring your mercy and might to bear in astonishing and transforming fashion. Things impossible for us are more than possible for you; things unimaginable to us are more than manageable for you. You have come to set captives free and to heal the brokenhearted; sexual sin and the pornography industry are creating an overabundance of both.

Lord Jesus, for friends somewhere in the pornography continuum of titillation to addiction, we ask you to reveal yourself in the deepest places of their hearts. We ask for the holy gifts of godly sorrow, gospel-repentance and a community for healing. Your non-condemning love has great power to deliver those who cry, “What a wretched man (or woman) I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” (Rom. 7:24).

Generate that cry by your great beauty and compelling love, Lord Jesus. Supplant embarrassment and fear, numbness and detachment, with contrition and hope. Where pornography has desensitized our friends, re-sensitize them so they can see and feel the horror of their entrapment and more so—much more so, so they can experience taste the reality of your welcome and the wonders of your love. Where sexual sin has sucked many into a deep tomb of shame and hiding, speak to them as you spoke to Lazarus. Bring life from death.

For friends who are married to someone in the talons of pornography or sexual addiction, dear Jesus, theirs may be the greater pain and struggle. No one but you can help with the anger, the disgust, the wounds, the shame, and the mistrust that goes with these stories. Help us walk with our friends who are right in the middle of this dark, hope-sucking vortex. Show us how to validate their feelings without confirming hurt-driven conclusions. Bring patience and perspective, forbearance and faith.

Only you can rebuild the trust. Only you, Jesus, can bring a willingness to hope again. Only you can heal the places in our hearts which have suffered the greatest violation and harm. Absolutely no one understands all this like you, Lord Jesus; and absolutely no one can redeem these messes but you. So very Amen we pray, in your great and glorious name.

Friendship Evangelism: Lie from Satan

The key to sharing the Gospel is friendship. Delay sharing the gospel until a solid friendship has been developed.-Satan

How long does it take to develop a friendship and earn a hearing? Friendship Evangelism assumes, "They must like me, before they will like my Jesus." We think that by befriending people first, they will know that we genuinely care about them and are not just trying to impose our religion on them. Friendship evangelism raises more questions that it answers. "Will my witness put a strain on the relationship I have worked so hard to build? Will my friend wonder why I waited so long to share with him? Will my friend be open to the gospel once I share with him?"

Being a friend is great, but a lost person shouldn't have to become my personal friend to hear about Jesus from me. I might be introverted or socially awkward. We may have differing personalities or interests. They may not have time to befriend me. They may feel more comfortable relating deeply with someone of their own culture. I may intimidate them. Even so, everyone deserves to hear the gospel. After all, I may never see them again.

Friendship evangelism also fails on a practical level. Building friendships takes lots of time and energy. How long would it take to reach the world through friendship evangelism, if it takes so long to get to the gospel?

The truth is, we can only maintain a limited number of close friendships. If we share the gospel immediately, we can be certain that those who become our friends will know the gospel and know our commitment to it. Otherwise, we might spend years developing a friendship before sharing the gospel, only to discover that our friend is not interested.

I have found that when I share the gospel immediately with lost people, they are more often coming to faith than when I delay or only share with them step by step over a period of time. This may seem illogical, but it reveals the work of the Holy Spirit in convicting and regenerating the lost. 

In conclusion, friendship evangelism is a lie from Satan. We are to be friendly, and share the gospel early in every relationship. The best friends are those who have heard the gospel and still want to be around us. If someone distances himself or herself from us because of the gospel, they would not likely have made a very good friend anyway. On the other hand, if someone hears the gospel from us and still wants to be our friend, it is a good sign that he or she might be open to the gospel and become a good friend as well.

The Reality of Hell and Our Worship

What if God desiring to display His wrath and to make His power known endured with much patience objects of wrath ready for destruction? And what if He did this to make known the riches of His glory on objects of mercy that He prepared beforehand for glory. -Romans 9:22-23

Hell is a real place filled with an infinite number of horrors. Read and meditate on these verses which describe the reality and horrors of Hell...

• Matthew 25:30: outer darkness, a place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth

                 :41: eternal fire

                : 46: eternal, never-ending punishment

• Mark 9:43: unquenchable fire

          :48: worm doesn't die and the fire isn't quenced

• Revelation 14:9-11: you will drink the cup of God's wrath, tormented with fire and sulfur, no rest day or night, smoke of their torment will rise up in praise to God

God created a world in which both His wrath and His mercy would be displayed. Indeed, His mercy shines against the backdrop of His just wrath, showing thereby that the salvation of any person is due to the marvelous grace and love of God. The reality of Hell should invoke within us worship. When we are confronted with the consequences of our sin and the darkness and horror/reality of Hell we should stand amazed that God would save us. The marvelous light of the Gospel looks more marvelous against the darkness of Hell. We were on the road to Hell but God stepped in and saved us. This reality should cause us to lift our hands and raise our voices to the marvelous, sovereign, King of the Universe. If you are an object of mercy you are ONLY one because God choose before time began to save you, He could have just as easily passed over you. May this truth lead us to fall on our knees and say, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world to receive honor and glory forever."

God's Calendar

In July, Julia and I had the incredible privledge of traveling to Kenya and going on an African safari. If you have never been on a safari I recommend calling a travel agent right now and planning a trip. Julia and I left civilization behind for 3 days and 2 nights and had an opportunity to enjoy nature. We were able to witness spectacular sights and even were lucky enough to obtain amazing pictures. As I was scrolling through the pictures we had taken I began to think that these pictures would be worthy of placement in a calendar hanging on someone's refrigerator. In fact on our refrigerator we have a calendar filled with majestic nature scenes and our pictures are comparable to the pictures in our calendar. We have pictures of the sunset which will take your breath, pictures of a lion stalking her prey across the African plain, hippos bathing in a river and even multiple pictures of zebras and other animals grazing. All of these pictures would look great in a calendar!

As my mind sometimes does I began to day dream and wonder about the calendars I have seen. The majority of calendars hanging on people's refrigerator have to do with pristine nature scenes. My mind than began to wonder about God's calendar hanging on His refrigerator. As I thought about God's calendar I began to realize that on His calendar there would not be pictures of nature rather there would be pictures of people. On God's calendar there would be pictures of Muslim women fully covered with only their eyes showing. On God's calendar there would be pictures of Muslim men bowing down to pray, Hindus offering sacrifices to their idols, atheists worshiping knowledge, and even Christians listening to their pastor. On God's calendar their would be Asian businessmen and American tourists. God's calendar would have people enjoying a drink at a bar, a couple in counseling, and even homeless, drug addicted men and women. God's calendar would include everyone for whom Christ died. God's calendar would include His elect from every century until the end of the world.

God would have people on His calendar instead of nature because He cares about people. God cares more for people than He does for nature. The Bible tells us that God desires that no one should perish but all should come to repentance. Jesus told us that God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. God loves the world. God loves the people in the world. If God cares about people and would have them on His calendar, maybe, we should care a little more about people and a little less about nature? Maybe we should spend a little less time being awe-struck at nature and a little more time noticing the people around us and caring for them?

The Kingdom Family Commitment

I have been reading "Unbreakable: The Seven Pillars of a Kingdom Family" by Tom Elliff and in the book he outlines seven pillars which when established in your family will build a strong unbreakable family that reflects Christ. I have recorded the seven pillars below in hopes that you will join me in affirming these seven pillars and establishing your family around them.

The Kingdom Family Commitment

I am a member of God's Kingdom Family. I have repented of my sin, believed on Christ as my Lord and Savior, and received His gift of forgiveness and eternal life. By the miracle of God's grace, I am both a citizen of His kingdom and a member of His family, His subject and His child, His slave and a joint heir with Him, His battle-ready solider and His bride. It is now my desire to glorify the Lord by giving my own earthly family relationships the interest and care they so richly deserve. With the balance of my life and relying on the leadership of God's Spirit, I will commit to God's plan for my life and family by:

Honoring God's Authority

God, as Sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all, holds Ultimate Authority over His creation. By establishing the family, God has provided a unique setting in which each individual should come to understand and respect authority. I will glorify God by surrendering every area of my life to Him and by offering godly respect in all my earthly relationships starting in my family (Rom. 12:1-2; 13:1-7; Eph. 5:21-25; 6:1-4; 1 Cor. 10:31)

Respecting Human Life

Human life is a gift from God and is of transcendent worth. It is to be treasured, protected, encouraged, and loved from the moment of conception until the moment of death. I know that each member of my family must ultimately give an account to God, and forgiveness of sin and eternal life in heaven will require personal repentance of sin and faith in Christ. I will honor God by expressing self-sacrificial love to each of my family members throughout the entirety of their lives (Eph. 2:13; Ps. 119:13-16; 127-128; Prov. 16:31)

Exercising Moral Purity

God has established the family as His first institution on earth. It is worthy of my most noble aspirations and commitments, including my commitment to moral purity, marital fidelity, and Christlike love for each family member. Because marriage is a picture of Christ's faithfulness to His bride, the church and because the family is a picture of the Father's faithfulness to His children, I will honor the Lord by being faithful and pure. (Exod. 20:14; 1 Cor. 6:18-19; Job 31:1; Matt. 5:27-30)

Serving My Church

The church is the bride of Christ, comprised of all the redeemed who will, one day, be taken to heaven by Him. By exalting Christ, resting on the sufficiency of His Word, and giving place to the ministry of the Spirit, the local church becomes the means by which spiritual growth is promoted and the ministry of Christ is brought to my family, my community, and to the world. I will support and encourage my family to support our local church with faithful attendance, diligent service, generous and God-honoring giving, and loving cooperation (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 5:25; 4:11-16; Heb. 10:25).

Using Time Wisely

Time is a resource given to each person by God. My use of it, especially in matters related to my family, reflects my esteem for God. One day I will give an account to Him for how I have spent the time He entrusted to me. As I order my life in concert with His will, I will have sufficient time for personal growth through prayer, study of God's Word, and for fulfilling every God-given responsibility to my family (Eph. 5:15; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Deut. 6:6-7; Luke 18:16; Ps. 90:12).

Practicing Biblical Stewardship

God has provided material resources so that I may glority Him through the exercise of faithful stewardship over them. I will be held accountable for this stewardship. Therefore, I will diliegently seek my Master's best interest in the way I earn money, expend it, use it, and give it. (Luke 6:38, 12:48; Gen 1:28; Prov 3:9-10; 2 Cor 9:7; 1 Cor 4:22; 16:1-2; Mal 3:8-11)

Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ

The greatest and most noble purpose of life is to glorify the Lord through the fulfillment of His Great Commission. I will glorify the Lord by sharing my faith with my family and by joining with them and others in specific activities which cultivate a passion for fulfilling the Great Commission (Matt 28:19-20' Acts 1:8; John 4:38-39; Rom. 1:16; 1 Tim 5:8; Rev. 22:17: Rom. 1:16).

Are you man enough to make the commitment?

The Visible God

No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son the One who is at the Father's side He has revealed Him-John 1:18

I have been reading through the Gospels and in John 1:18, John writes that Jesus reveals to us God who is unseen. Jesus's revelation of the Father is unique. Those who saw Jesus, saw not a shadow of God but God Himself. He was truly the God-man, in whom one nature did not eliminate the other. Below I have listed characteristics of God which I have learned from Jesus in John's Gospel. 

God has always existed 1:1

God has created all things 1:3

God came and dwelt among us 1:14

God provided the ultimate sacrifice to take away the sins of the world 1:29

God gives new identites to His followers 1:42

God sees all 1:48-49

God cares for the little details of our lives 2:1-12

God is jealous for His glory and abhors people who make money off of Him 2:13-16

God is all knowing 2:22

God knows what is in us 2:24-25

God withholds Himself from the un-elect 2:24-25

God commands us to be born again 3:3

God draws people to Himself by the Spirit 3:8

God loves the world 3:16

God didn't send Jesus to condemn the world but to save it 3:17

God loves His Son and has given all things into His hand 3:35

God destroys barriers 4:4

God loves and desires to have a relationship with outcasts 4:7-26

God is living water 4:13-14

God desires that we be involved in evangelism 4:35-38

God is the reaper of eternal life 4:36

God is more powerful than sickness 4:26-54

God is at work in the world 5:17

God is working; His Son sees where He is working and joins Him 5:19

God the Father doesn't judge; but has given all judgement to His Son 5:27

God gives new life to those who believe His word 5:24

God will receive worship from everyone whether willfully or woefully 5:28-29

God the Father sent God the Son 5:26-27

God provided John the Baptist, Himself, the Scripture and Moses to testify that Jesus is the Messiah 5:31-47

God is more powerful than hunger 6:1-15

God is more powerful than science 6:16-21

God provided bread for ancient Israel and our daily bread 6:37

God gives His elect to Christ; everyone who is elect will come to Christ and everyone who is un-elect will be cast out 6:37

God is a Calvinist 6:44 & 65

God has provided Jesus Christ who is the bread of life and everyone who eats of Him will live forever 6:51

God isn't afraid of drawing a line and calling for a commitment 5:60

God believes in irresistible grace 6:63

God was rejected by His siblings 7:1-9

God desires that we judge according to righteous judgment 7:24

God desires anyone who is thirsty to come and drink 7:37-38

God gives the Spirit to everyone who believes in Jesus 7:39

God forgives adulterers 8:1-11

God is the light of the world 8:12

God and Jesus judge together 8:16

God desires that we walk in His Word 8:31

God has always existed in triunal community 8:58

God is able to give sight to the blind 9:1-12

God allows evil to happen to bring Him glory 9:3

God gives light to the world 9:5

God is the good shepherd 10:1-19

God sent Jesus so that we may have life and have it abundantly 10:10

God holds in His hand all of His elect and no-one will snatch them from Him 10:28-29

God is more powerful than death 11

God grants life to everyone who believes in His Son 11:25-26

God promised His people a Messiah would come in the OT and those promises were fulfilled in Christ 12:14-16

God will honor those who serve Christ 12:26

God desires that we love His praise rather than the praise of men 12:43

God sent Jesus to speak His words 12:49-50

God loves His elect to the end 13:1

God is a servant 13:2-5

God desires that we serve others 13:14-15

God knows those He has chosen 13:18

God choose Judas in order that His will would be accomplished 13:21

God makes His home with those who love Him 14:20

God is the vineyard keeper. He prunes His elect so that they will grow 15:1-8

God commands us to love one another 15:17

God chooses us out of the world 15:19

God loves those who love His Son 16:27

God glorifies His Son 17:1-5

God has given us truth in His word 17:17

God's kingdom is not of this world 18:36

God sent His Son to die in the place of sinners 18:38-40

God was flogged and mocked instead of us 19:1-16

God has authority over/gives authority to world leaders 19:11

God was crucified instead of us 19:16-24

God provided for His Earthly mother 19:25-27

God poured out His wrath on His Son rather than on us 19:30

God fulfills His promises 19:36-37

God died and was laid to rest in a tomb 19:38-42

God was raised to life 20:1-18

God sends us out on mission 20:21

God restores the fallen 21:15-19

God did numerous miracles which if they were recorded would fill every book in the world 21:25

July Newsletter

The Heavens declare the glory of God.-Psalm 19:1

PICTURES:

Open wide

A herd of elephants.

Tike or as we would call them DLA (Deer Like Animal).

Spider-man lizard

Wildebeest. 

Vultures hanging out over an elephant carcass.

We tracked this lion for forty-five minutes as she hunted an Empala across the African plain. The birds alerted the Empala at the last minute that there was danger and the Empala ran off. 

The lioness after she missed her kill

Our tent where we stayed for two nights. At night while we were sleeping we could hear the lions growling.

Elephant

Jackel. These animals are scavengers, eating the meat which the lions leave behind.

We came upon a small river which had over fifty hippos inside. The sight was amazing but the smell was horrible.

Our guide and friends whom we safaried with.

One of the many Giraffes we saw on our game drive. We had the privledge of watching them run across the African plain.

Baby Giraffe. Only four days old!

At high tea we were able to look out from our tent and watch Giraffes walk across the plain.

An African sunset. During the afternoons temps were in the upper 90's but when the sun set the temp. dropped to the low 50's.

African sunrise

I think I see a lion?

We went out to eat at Carnivore House (think Brazilian steak house but with exotic meats). 

Julia and I after feasting on meat for an hour and a half. I think she had to roll me out.

Zebra.

Enjoying a tasty meal.

Zebra travel together in order to help watch for lion and other predators.

Our jeeps as we head out on safari.

DEVOTION:
Help, my wife is pregnant in Africa!

Lessons from our cat

STORY:

God is answering your prayers. Julia and baby Welch are doing great. Julia is eighteen weeks pregnant and loves her second trimester. Everyone in Nalerigu is ecstatic about us having a child; we are looking forward to being parents. Thank you for holding the rope for us!

Julia and I had the incredible privilege of spending two weeks in Kenya for a conference/safari. The conference was OK, but the highlight of our trip was at an Encounter Mara Safari. We spent two days and nights staying in a luxurious tent on the African plain. Encounter Mara pampered and made us feel like royalty. We were able to rest, recharge and relax. We took five driving tours through the game reserve and saw a plethora of animals. We saw Empals, monkeys, baboons, elephants, giraffes, zebras, warthogs, birds, hippos, jackals, lizards, wildebeest, gazelle, and most importantly lions. At night we would fall asleep listening to the sound of lions growling in the distance, it was an amazing experience.

During our time at Encounter Mara I meditated on Psalm 19:1, "the heavens declare the glory of God." I am in awe of the simple fact that God is shouting at us through His creation. He is shouting at us through blue expanse on the horizon. He is shouting at us through the chirping of the crickets in the early morning hours. He is shouting at us through the snorting of the gazelle. He is shouting at us through the stumping of zebra hoofs. He is shooting at us through the roar of a lion. He is shouting at us through the grazing of animals on the African plane. He is shouting at us through majestic sunsets. He is shouting at us through star filled skies. He is shouting, "I AM GLORIOUS. Open your eyes and worship me. I am worthy of all praise, honor and glory. I AM GLORIOUS!" Julia and I are learning that the heavens declare the glory of God.

Prayer Requests:

1) Julia and baby Welch are doing great. Julia is eighteen weeks pregnant and loves her second trimester. The other night she woke up and could feel the baby moving inside of her. Everyone in Nalerigu is ecstatic about us having a child; we are looking forward to being parents. Please pray that mom and baby would continue to remain healthy and grow. Pray for God to edify and equip us to be Godly parents.

2) On Monday, July 15^th we will celebrate one year of service with the International Mission Board. The time is going quickly and we are thankful for all of the support we have received. Please pray that our second year with the board will be better than our first. Pray that we would expect great things from God and attempt great things for God in our second year of service.

3) The other day I was driving through Nalerigu and realized that I have more Muslim friends than Christian friends. I must be doing something right! Please pray that my Muslim friends would come to know Jesus Christ. Pray for “I” a Muslim man I have tea with who has been asking questions about the Gospel, pray God draws Him to Himself. Pray for “M” a Muslim man with tuberculosis who has been listening to an audio bible and expresses an interest in attending church. Pray he follows through on his word and attends church.

4) Every Thursday Julia ministers to children in a village connected to the hospital. The children love seeing Julia’s truck pull into the village and come running up to greet her when she arrives. Please pray that the children would come to know Christ through this ministry. Pray for “L” a young girl whose parents are traditionalists who comes every week. Pray she sees and understands God’s love for her.