In light of recent events, now is NOT the time to back down. Now is the time to be emboldened and courageous for the Lord, as we reel in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and arguably, the first public Christian martyrdom of the 21st century, in the West. Join Carl now for this passionate broadcast as he shares keys to remaining strong in the Lord at this difficult time and how shifting merely one aspect of your daily walk, will result in a greater capacity to hear from God and enjoy His presence. Join him now…
Here is a complete transcript of the podcast…(below)
Friend, today our broadcast takes on somewhat of a somber tone. The recent assassination, murder and ultimately, martyrdom of one of God’s disciples in the past few days has turned our attention to our own mortality and whether or not we are going to back down for Christ, in the midst of an increasingly hostile culture. Charlie Kirk, died just short of his 32nd birthday, was an evangelist for Christ firstly, and had political ambitions certainly, having appeared at the RNC in 2024, along with his turning point network. But sadly, paid the ultimate price for his Christian faith, by being cruelly taken out for all the world to see. Charlie left a wife and two children behind as he entered eternal glory and met his savior. This tragic event I believe will only serve as a catalyst for world revival and will ironically be the very timely and much needed, ” turning point” for this nation and western nations around the world, as they return to Judeo Christian principles and the God who authored them.
Friend, now is not the time to back down. Now is not the time to shrink back. Now is the time for courage in the face of fierce and cruel cultural opposition, which truly is bearing the fruit of not having a Fear of the Lord before their eyes. A lack of godly fear emboldens evil people to commit such atrocities, as we witnessed on September 10th. In truth, the fabric of this western culture has now drastically eroded, due to the secular indoctrination of our educational system and relentless media blitz which undermines Christians and the God they serve. To fear God is to tremble at his name or presence. To fear God is to forsake evil. It is the fear of God which signified the judges of the OT, men of truth, given judicial authority over God’s people (Ex 18:21). The Fear of God should forever be before eyes and in our hearts. Yet in its absence can only ensue burgeoning, crime, lawlessness, cruelty and lasciviousness.
Ecclesiastes 8:12 says, “Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:” It is the bane of our society that evil doers seem to go unpunished, enjoying long and fruitful lives from the world’s perspective, but God is watching. There is a reckoning coming. It may not be today or tomorrow but it will come. And following on from last weeks podcast, ‘God is Just,’ this week, we are reminded that courage is paramount, for the children of light in these very dark days, which can only get darker. Judgement is a major theme in scripture because God’s own righteousness demands justice and so do we, who are created in His image. When justice is not granted the people groan. But I pray any sense of injustice which lies in the hearts of believers following Charlie’s death is replaced by a fresh zeal to witness more heavily for Christ in His honor, and this is surely what Charly would have desired.
I am reminded at this juncture of God’s reprimand to Joshua in the first chapter of Joshua, verses six through nine. Let me read it for you now. “6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Over and over again, God’s message is the same today, whether it was for taking the land of Israel, back in the day or taking spiritual territory in this day and hour, “Fear not, be strong in the Lord, be not afraid, Be strong and of good courage.” Because I have your back. The Lord who spoke these words is Prophet, Priest and King and does not mince words. Moses died, the people were scared, they had yet to conquer the full extent of the promised land from river to river. Our Lord could smell fear on the people and he spoke strength to them in a dark hour. You see, Our Lord is both Lamb and Lion. Many people love the little baby Jesus in the manger, but do they respect and love the same Jesus who will return, with eyes like a flame of fire, and a countenance like the sun, shining in its strength? This same Jesus will also tread out the wine press of his wrath on those who have rejected Him at his return. Trouble is many people have bought into the soft and fluffy Jesus who is more akin to Jello rather than the battle-hardened Christ of the Book of Revelation. The rule of the day is the acceptance of all religions for salvation, and the Jello Jesus is the one waiting with his arms open wide open, in readiness of a warm ecumenical embrace. The true Jesus is the one who declares He is the only way to eternal life, remains exclusive about it, and understands the majority of humanity will ultimately reject him. In truth the gospel of this age which is beautifully captured in 1st Corinthians 15:1-4, has been reduced to a ‘feel good message’ which lacks power, because our wretched sinful condition has been undermined by preachers, in the first place. Sin has been undermined as a whole, hence the need for salvation has been made of no effect. If remission leads to a brief reprieve of guilt and not a transformation and separation away from sin this is a cheapened Gospel. And we are living in a societal soup of fluffy gospel.
Jesus came to save us from sin, to deliver us from this evil present world, to break the power and bondage of the devil over us, to commence regeneration in our spirit and soul. To classify us as joint heirs with Him, as part of the Body of Christ, to be saved from God’s wrath, to the washing of the Holy Spirit. If we are saved there should be some evidence! Christ came to destroy the works of the enemy in our lives, to conform us to image and to resist sin with every fiber of our being. As we choose to became born again, our sinful lifestyle no longer sits well with us. We come as we are, we don’t stay as we are! There is a conviction and sanctification process which commences holiness in our soul, and a chastisement which comes along with it. Our Christ chastised cities for rejecting Him, he warned those who rejected Him they would die in their sins, that the Pharisees were white washed tombs and of their father the devil. He fashioned a whip on two separate occasions overturning tables in the temple, and drove the money changers out. He spoke of eternal hellfire and warned every one of the impending eternal destinations, should they not repent. The question is, do you know the real Christ friend, or the Christ of Netflix, like the one portrayed in ‘the chosen,’ which reeks of compromise, destroys the inspiration of scripture, teaches you to follow your heart, not Christ, which uplifts Mary at the expense of Jesus, makes many disciples look like drunks, with Catholic overtones and is funded by Mormon partners, who may have ulterior motives regarding the representation of orthodox Christian doctrine. Jesus is depicted quite differently on tv and in movies, in sharp contrast to the Jesus portrayed in our beloved King James Bible. And only if you are familiar with your Bible, will you be able to identify the subtle differences from real Christ and Netflix Christ.
The Gospel is being emasculated before our very eyes, it is becoming powerless to accomplish the very thing it was called to do as watered-down modern bible translations and misguided Christ like portrayals in media have reshaped, redefined and reshuffled the true Christ, exemplifying his humanity, downplaying the divine and a messiah who is accommodating to all faiths. If we were to scour the scriptures, and try to drill down on the one thing which would make us strong in the Lord on a practical level, it would be cultivating a relationship with our heavenly father in worship. As we seek to worship God in our private devotional time during times of the day under our breath this channel between us and God is strengthen and this can only fuel our desire for Him and our capacity to hear from Him. Being mindful of God throughout the day, never going more than 15 mins or so without telling Him how special he is, will result in the greatest anointing you will ever experience. Brother Lawrence, was a French Catholic friar, from the 17th century whose primary focus was practicing the presence or God in his daily activities in the Carmelite Monastery just outside of Paris, France. Whether mopping the floors, or working in the kitchen, his mind was perpetually focused on God which resonates with Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on thee.” As our mind is focused on the Lord and His word, peace is a byproduct and an abiding trait. Brother Lawrence who fought in the 30 years war before becoming a friar in the monastery later became a man of divine peace. The 30 years war fought primarily in Central Europe, was one of the most destructive conflicts in history with an estimated 8 million killed by either battle, famine or disease which ensued from the onslaught. Brother Lawrence was privy to this and experienced great horror on the battlefield. However, because of his conversion to Christ and consequent seeking of God’s presence in earnest, many who met him, spoke of a strong sensation of peace in the presence of this humble and poverty stricken man of God.
Brother Lawrence shared the secret of his peaceful nature, in his writings and we can learn from them. He once said,” There is no greater lifestyle and no greater happiness than out of having a continual conversation with God. I have abandoned all particular forms of devotion, all prayer techniques. My only prayer practice is attention. I carry on a habitual, salient, and secret conversation with God that fills me with the overwhelming joy.” And finally he affirms this by later stating, “The most holy and important practice in the spiritual Ife is the presence of God, that is, every moment to take great pleasure that God is with and in you.” Jesus spoke of his presence abiding with his followers and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Brother Lawrence was able to quench the sting of the vivid memories of the battlefield, by keeping his mind focused on God and his word as he went about his every day. And finally friend, lest we forget, the battle is the Lord’s not yours, never forget that. In fact, it is his battle and he gives you his armor for the fight. In Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians chapter six, verse ten, right before he describes the armor of God in precise detail, he starts with these words, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God…”With the application of God’s armor spoken of in this passage we can remain strong for him. Incidentally, you can check out an article on the whole armor of God on our website, which has seen much traction down the years, describing it is detail, so check it out. Cultivate God’s presence friend, by worshiping him, keeping your focus on his word and his presence and you will invariably remain strong in him.
Friend, if you enjoyed this broadcast, or any of the articles on our website, please consider a one time donation to support this ministry. In the past we have allied with African nations to provide bibles and evangelical platforms, along with the day to day cost of compiling contact, internet service provider fees, etc. As you share of your finances with us, and being a non-profit organization 501 c3 your offering is tax deductible. Consider praying about your offering. I know we have many long time listeners who have benefited from this podcast down the years, and are regular returners to the website. I thank you for your consideration or even think about becoming a partner in this endeavor to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world as we endeavor to continue to do so. Go to our home page, carljosephministries.com. click the donate button on the green header, and you may proceed with your details and credit card of your choice.
Also friend, I have a new book out available worldwide on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. Lionheart: Unleash the Warrior within. It is a means to activate God’s call on your life, covering five key concepts that every believer must be aware of, to overcome the enemy and be an ambassador for Christ, in this day and hour. Click on the book in the home page of our website for more details, along with a trailer and description. Also, if you have purchased a copy, it would be greatly appreciated if you have time to write a review. Anyway, God Bless friend, until next time.
Bibliography:
https://www.fulcrum7.com/blog/2022/7/22/14-reasons-why-i-wont-watch-the-chosen
https://www.christianpost.com/news/the-chosen-sparks-controversy-for-super-unbiblical-scene.html
STRONG: Kevin Swanson (Generations, Elizabeth, CO 2025)
Title: Be Strong in the Lord
Related keyword Searches:
The Chosen
Book of Joshua
False Jesus
Another Jesus
Brother Lawrence
Catholic Friar
Charlie Kirk
Charlie Kirk’s death
Lionheart
Lionheart: Unleash the Warrior Within
Six Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How can I remain strong in the Lord during these dark and difficult days?
You remain strong in the Lord by clinging to His Word, cultivating His presence daily, and refusing to back down in the face of cultural opposition. God told Joshua repeatedly to be strong and courageous, and the same applies to believers today (Joshua 1:6–9). We are called to be spiritual warriors, grounded in truth and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
2. What is the one daily shift I can make to better hear from God?
The one key shift is to cultivate constant awareness of God’s presence through worship and meditation. This means talking to Him throughout the day, practicing His presence in your daily tasks, and keeping your mind focused on Him, just as Brother Lawrence modeled. This continual conversation strengthens your spirit and increases spiritual sensitivity.
3. Why is the fear of the Lord important in today’s culture?
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and keeps believers grounded in righteousness. In its absence, society descends into lawlessness, pride, and violence. Reverence for God curbs evil and compels us to live holy lives. Without it, people are emboldened to commit unthinkable acts, as we’ve seen recently.
4. What does true courage look like for believers today?
True courage is not just bold speech — it’s living faithfully to Christ when the culture mocks, threatens, or persecutes you. It means standing firm in the gospel, refusing to compromise, and being unashamed of the truth. Courage flows from knowing that God is with you and that eternity far outweighs earthly suffering.
5. How do I know if I’m following the real Jesus and not a counterfeit?
You must know your Bible well to recognize the real Jesus — not the softened, compromised versions portrayed in some media. The real Jesus speaks truth, calls out sin, and offers salvation exclusively through Himself. Study the Gospels, compare teachings, and test everything against Scripture (1 John 4:1).
6. What role does worship play in spiritual strength?
Worship is essential. It draws you closer to God, aligns your heart with His, and builds spiritual resilience. As you honor God with your words and focus, even during mundane tasks, He will meet you with peace and power. Worship is not just singing — it’s a lifestyle of adoration and intimacy with the Lord.
Carl is an authority. He is a biblical scholar, minister, author, husband, father, and life coach. In his mid-twenties he had a powerful encounter with God and saw miraculous healings as a result. Carl is a unique researcher who investigates current affairs, societal trends, prophecy, technology, cults, and end time events, all through a biblical lens.
Carl holds a Doctorate in Theology (Th D). His Alma Mata includes: Salford University, Manchester, UK, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, UK, Rhema Bible Training College (Tulsa), and Southwestern Christian University (Oklahoma City).
Carl Joseph Ministries empowers believers in Christ to fulfill their God given potential. Join Carl every other Monday on the Lions Unchained Podcast, available on Spotify, iTunes and other mainstream platforms.
He currently resides in Colorado, with his lovely wife Amy, and their three children.
