"You have my word."
What does it mean when someone says that?
It means there is a promise and a pledge of self, consistent with who one is - their integrity is on the line. Their body must do what their word says they will do.
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." John 1:14
The incarnation of God, His word, pledge, and promise, took on a human body to fulfill an incredible promise.
This has quite a lot to say for our day and age.
We find ourselves among a culture telling us that human beings may feel they are a different gender from their body, and they should have the freedom to "fix" that themselves.
We find ourselves in a culture where a pregnant woman can deny there is another being inside of her and have that being removed. She is told it will be fine and she won't feel any regret.
We find ourselves in a culture that says what you do with your body is nobody else's business. You can have relations with whomever and whenever, and you won't feel confused.
We find ourselves in a culture that lacks trust in anyone's word and aims to disassociate our words and our souls from our bodies.
It only leads us to heartbreak, damage, and depression.
The body and the soul are one. And we are designed to trust that someone's word should be backed up by their actions.
The story that God gives us of Himself is so very different than this brokenness of man.
We are made in His likeness. We are made good. When two come together, they become one flesh. (Gen 1:26, 2:24)
And God loves us so much that He took on human form to redeem us. He began life as we all do, a helpless baby in need of his human mother and father.
He ate and he slept. He worked and he sweat. He got hungry, bled, was torn, and pierced. And He offered His body up to save us. And His body - His human body - was resurrected three days later. His body followed where His word promised.
That word became flesh.
Through the Cultural Clarity series, we have established that orthodox-essential Christian beliefs are on the decline, even among churchgoers. Scripture use is also on the decline. Our culture is not the better for it.
Research published in September by George Barna at the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University shows how much worldview affects anxiety, fear, and depression.
Surveying 2,000 adults in January 2024, they found that 56% of Gen Z and 49% of Millennials regularly experience anxiety, depression, and fear. Of that same group surveyed, only 1% of Gen Zs had a biblical worldview, and only 2% of Millennials did.
Remember that belief that you can do whatever you want as long as you don't hurt anyone? Of those surveyed who believe this, 52% experienced anxiety, depression, and fear.
The researcher, George Barna, comments, "Add to this a lack of any sense of purpose or meaning, and the idea that truth is subjective," Barna explained. "This common set of components results in a lifestyle that is inconsistent, chaotic, frustrating, and lacking hope. Anxiety, depression, and fear are virtually inescapable in such a life."
But those who seek God in the Scriptures find hope - even those most deeply enmeshed in this confusing culture: our youth.
Recent research in 2024 by the State of the Bible agrees that anxiety is indeed plaguing our culture, especially in the youngest generation. But there is a remarkable difference if those young people embrace the truths of Scriptures: anxiety falls considerably compared to their peers; members of Gen Z who are Scripture-engaged have even less anxiety levels than Millennials or Gen X.
We have the Good News. God's promises were backed up by his Son in the flesh to redeem not only our souls, but our bodies.
This December, every soul needs hope. Church Answers research published in September confirms what we already know: It usually takes a personal invitation for people to start going to church.
What better time than now to activate your people to invite their friends to hear a message, a Christmas concert, a celebration of the Savior's birth?
The beautiful answer to our damaging world is this message of Christmas: "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)
I hope this encourages you during this busy season!
Remember you can visit the City Harvest Network website for more information on this and other important issues, plus spiritual encouragement, and upcoming ministry opportunities.
It's my prayer this Cultural Clarity Report is valuable to you in your work for the Lord. Thank you for being a friend!
Yours for the Harvest,
Dr. Rod Parsley
Founder & General Overseer
What does it mean when someone says that?
It means there is a promise and a pledge of self, consistent with who one is - their integrity is on the line. Their body must do what their word says they will do.
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." John 1:14
The incarnation of God, His word, pledge, and promise, took on a human body to fulfill an incredible promise.
This has quite a lot to say for our day and age.
We find ourselves among a culture telling us that human beings may feel they are a different gender from their body, and they should have the freedom to "fix" that themselves.
We find ourselves in a culture where a pregnant woman can deny there is another being inside of her and have that being removed. She is told it will be fine and she won't feel any regret.
We find ourselves in a culture that says what you do with your body is nobody else's business. You can have relations with whomever and whenever, and you won't feel confused.
We find ourselves in a culture that lacks trust in anyone's word and aims to disassociate our words and our souls from our bodies.
It only leads us to heartbreak, damage, and depression.
The body and the soul are one. And we are designed to trust that someone's word should be backed up by their actions.
The story that God gives us of Himself is so very different than this brokenness of man.
We are made in His likeness. We are made good. When two come together, they become one flesh. (Gen 1:26, 2:24)
And God loves us so much that He took on human form to redeem us. He began life as we all do, a helpless baby in need of his human mother and father.
He ate and he slept. He worked and he sweat. He got hungry, bled, was torn, and pierced. And He offered His body up to save us. And His body - His human body - was resurrected three days later. His body followed where His word promised.
That word became flesh.
Through the Cultural Clarity series, we have established that orthodox-essential Christian beliefs are on the decline, even among churchgoers. Scripture use is also on the decline. Our culture is not the better for it.
Research published in September by George Barna at the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University shows how much worldview affects anxiety, fear, and depression.
Surveying 2,000 adults in January 2024, they found that 56% of Gen Z and 49% of Millennials regularly experience anxiety, depression, and fear. Of that same group surveyed, only 1% of Gen Zs had a biblical worldview, and only 2% of Millennials did.
Remember that belief that you can do whatever you want as long as you don't hurt anyone? Of those surveyed who believe this, 52% experienced anxiety, depression, and fear.
The researcher, George Barna, comments, "Add to this a lack of any sense of purpose or meaning, and the idea that truth is subjective," Barna explained. "This common set of components results in a lifestyle that is inconsistent, chaotic, frustrating, and lacking hope. Anxiety, depression, and fear are virtually inescapable in such a life."
But those who seek God in the Scriptures find hope - even those most deeply enmeshed in this confusing culture: our youth.
Recent research in 2024 by the State of the Bible agrees that anxiety is indeed plaguing our culture, especially in the youngest generation. But there is a remarkable difference if those young people embrace the truths of Scriptures: anxiety falls considerably compared to their peers; members of Gen Z who are Scripture-engaged have even less anxiety levels than Millennials or Gen X.
We have the Good News. God's promises were backed up by his Son in the flesh to redeem not only our souls, but our bodies.
This December, every soul needs hope. Church Answers research published in September confirms what we already know: It usually takes a personal invitation for people to start going to church.
What better time than now to activate your people to invite their friends to hear a message, a Christmas concert, a celebration of the Savior's birth?
The beautiful answer to our damaging world is this message of Christmas: "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)
I hope this encourages you during this busy season!
Remember you can visit the City Harvest Network website for more information on this and other important issues, plus spiritual encouragement, and upcoming ministry opportunities.
It's my prayer this Cultural Clarity Report is valuable to you in your work for the Lord. Thank you for being a friend!
Yours for the Harvest,
Dr. Rod Parsley
Founder & General Overseer