Arise, O Man of God

I'm treading on dangerous ground with this post.

Lust is not often discussed, much less by a young woman. It is brushed under the rug, ignored, and even accepted by far too many churches. Christian men, leaders, pastors - all have given in to this sin,but many are suffocating under it. Hardly anyone seems to believe that true victory can be found. Why do the headlines ring with the scandals of Christian leaders? Abuse. Pornography. Affairs.

It breaks my heart and angers me to see the way Satan has such a strong hold on my brothers in Christ! I've written the following as an encouragement to you. I know I don't understand the struggle that you deal with in lust, but I know the power of the God who lives inside of you. This battle is a hard one. The world you live in does not make purity easy. But, there is hope. There is freedom to be found in Christ.

I know. Women are plagued by their own temptations and are susceptible to lust as well. But, I am addressing this to Christian men because you are the ones chosen to lead the Bride of Christ. You are the ones with the weight and privilege of leading your family in righteousness. You are here to display Christ, my brother. He can and will do amazing things through a life surrendered to Him! I'm passionate about biblical manhood, and I long to see the mighty man of God rise up and show the world the power of the cross. So this, my brother, is for you. I do not post this with a heart of condemnation or hatred. It's quite the opposite really. Whoever and wherever you might be in this struggle, I love you as a sister in Christ and am praying that this will spur you on to fight the good fight, robed in the righteous purity of Almighty God.

O weak and weary brother,

Bound and shackled by your sin.

The hounds of lust have pestered

And you’ve given in again.

The world cries, ‘Just accept it!

That’s how you’re meant to be!’

 But don’t listen to those lies;

God’s man lives mightily.

Where are you men of honor?

Have the faithful disappeared?

Fierce lions roam the land unchecked,

While the world sits back and sneers.

Victory is possible,

There’s One Who paved the way.

Your Savior bled to bring you life;

There’s freedom in His wake.

Resolutions will prove futile,

Your strength will only fail.

But look to Him and plead His grace,

The Lord will soon prevail.

I know that I am just a girl.

What right have I to speak?

But brother, He has burdened me;

I long to see you free.

It breaks my heart to see the church

Enshackled by her sin.

O God, arise and cleanse Your bride!

Bring purity once again!

Raise up a mighty army,

Restore the godly man!

With eyes and hearts for You alone,

May they vanquish Satan’s stand.

Awake, O slumbering soldier,

Don’t you hear the Captain’s call?

With the cross of Christ before you,

Live to prove that He is All!

~MJ

The Roar of the Lion

A couple weeks ago, I listened to Mr. Eric Ludy's sermon entitled "The Voice of the Lion". Between listening to that and feeling burdened to see the men and women in our generation rise up for Jesus Christ, I was inspired to write this today.

"Men, passionate for Jesus Christ, should possess a lion-like growl, a deep roar of the soul. This growl is aroused when the glory of His King is at stake, quickening the jealous heartbeat of this warrior and calling him to action. It is evident and ever-present in the way he speaks with friends, serves the broken, and intercedes for the lost and dying. We, as women, have been given the great privilege to encourage the men in our lives (our husbands, brothers, and fathers). We are called, not to brag about the fervor of our own growl, but to challenge them to rise up out of the mire of complacency and accept the call of their King; that they would reject the soft-spoken timidity of their culture and embrace the roar of the Lion."