The father of a righteous son will rejoice greatly, and one who fathers a wise son will delight in him.
Proverbs 23:24, HCSB
The Father sent His Wise Son to live and die for us, and now we can live for His delight in Christ. We can also help each other to live in the wisdom of God, raising our families and training all in righteousness.
One evening in 2025, I was driving down a road in town that had recently gone through work expanding the road and adding a median. At one point there is a place for northbound cars to make a u-turn.
I was approaching this section of road heading south, and up ahead I saw someone get into the u-turn lane. He then proceeded north on my side of the road.
Needless to say, I stopped and flashed my lights, and he realized the problem and quickly turned around (in an awkward 4-point maneuver.)
It got me thinking about the Church, and it was controversy over the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show and it’s alternative from TPUSA as well as Jelly Roll’s Grammy acceptance speech that brought back to mind. Some question Jelly Roll’s and Kid Rock’s repentance and Christian faith.
We often teach how repentance is like a u-turn in our life, and there is good reason.
Acts 3:19, HCSB
Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord
Proverbs 28:13, HCSB
The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
How many fall into the “easy believism” of saying a simple prayer and never changing the way they live?
I don’t know what is going on in the hearts and souls of Kid Rock and Jelly Roll, and this is not really about them.
I am also not saying anything about anyone in particular. This a call for each of us to make sure that we have not made a false u-turn, that we said we believe in Jesus but never changed anything about the way we think or act.
2 Corinthians 13:5, HCSB
Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless you fail the test.
It would be like that car that used the u-turn lane but was then heading toward oncoming traffic, only we would get to the end of our life or see Christ return only to hear Him say He never knew us and we miss eternal life.
Matthew 25:44-46, HCSB
“Then they too will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or without clothes, or sick, or in prison, and not help You? ’ “Then He will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me either.’ “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
So, don’t complain about what people claiming Christ may or may not be doing.
You might be with those going the right way, but you might be going the wrong way and endangering others.
Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Romans 12:10, HCSB
Just as Christ showed God’s love by becoming one of us and dying for us, we should do everything we can to love each other, especially in God’s Church, and do what’s best to all people.
But if anyone suffers as a “Christian,” he should not be ashamed but should glorify God in having that name.
1 Peter 4:16, HCSB
God’s Word changes our hearts, minds, and spirits, helping us to endure persecution and hardships knowing Christ went through the same and is with us now.
I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13, HCSB
God’s Word changes our hearts, minds, and spirits, helping us to be content in all of life’s circumstances, relying on Him for all things.
And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8, HCSB
God’s Word changes our hearts, minds, and spirits, helping us to see where and how He is moving and empowering us to follow in His will.
And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.
Romans 5:3-4, HCSB
God’s Word changes our hearts, minds, and spirits, and it helps us to face all this life throws at us, knowing we are being transformed into the likeness of Christ.
When I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy.
Psalm 94:19, HCSB
God’s Word changes our hearts, minds, and spirits, giving us guidance and strength to endure in any and all circumstances, standing in hope because of His faithfulness.
Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
James 1:2-3, HCSB
God’s Word changes our hearts, minds, and spirits, enabling us to see how God uses negative circumstances for His glory, to be thankful for His grace and peace in all of life.
I could step in if necessary, but we have a couple young men who are being trained in case something happens to our main A/V guy. It is a mildly stressful thing to consider, so it is a blessing to have a few people who are ready and able to step in.
Daniel
For this Sunday here’s what you can do: Thank the Lord if your church has a back-up Audio-Visual Guy.
This Sunday at Church: Thank the Lord if your church has a back-up Audio-Visual Guy
a simple man of God 