October 16, 2016

^“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34

With less than a month before the most important Presidential election of our lifetimes, I wish we had a perfect candidate we could support. But we don’t. And as Christians responsible to be good citizens we must cast a vote. So, how do we choose between two flawed candidates?

Ultimately, it comes down to a question of which candidate is most closely aligned to the moral values I hold precious? In my opinion, here are the most important moral issues:

Life – Which candidate holds life most precious by opposing abortion and valuing the infirm and elderly?

Character – Which candidate lives a life that most closely represents the spiritual and moral values I hold dear?

Which candidate seems to be the most truthful in what he says and does?

One indicator of a man’s character is to take note of the people who he has chosen to surround himself with.

Marriage and Family – Which candidate can be trusted to defend Biblical marriage and the traditional family?

Trust – Which candidate can be trusted to be a good steward of the massive power of the Presidency?

Philosophy – Which candidate adheres most closely to the conservative philosophy of a smaller, less intrusive government as outlined in the United States Constitution?

Freedom – Which candidate seems to hold the strongest respect toward individual freedoms as outlined in the U. S. Constitution?

Leadership – Which candidate seems to possess the best leadership skills required to execute his Constitutional duties and effectively administer the U. S. Government with all of its offices and agencies? Also, which candidate can best command the confidence of our allies and demand the respect of our enemies on the world stage?

Economy – Which candidate is best able to restore fiscal soundness to the U. S. economy and show the fiscal discipline to bring the debt and deficit under control thereby restoring confidence of investors and entrepreneurs?

Remember, we are not electing a pastor or spiritual leader. We are seeking to choose the better of two flawed men who have been selected by two far from perfect political parties. Since none of us are perfect, we should not expect to be led by a perfect man. However, the one thing that DOES need to be perfect is your judgment!  That will be the result of much prayer and thoughtful consideration of where each candidate stands on issues such as those I have mentioned.

Don't just vote for Republicans or Democrats or Independents. Vote for righteousness.

October 15, 2016

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness,righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." Ephesians 5:8-11

Chapter Seven of "Well Versed" covers the insidious issue of political correctness.

For the Progressives "PC" has been a WMD - "weapon of mass distraction" drawing Americans from what is true and real to that which is socially acceptable as defined by the radical left. This powerful method of speech censorship and bullying dates back nearly a century and has it's roots in Marxism. It's primary target is Christianity and the Western civilization it has spawned through its Judeo-Christian values. "PC-ness" is all about controlling speech and thought in order to suppress opposing ideas (truth) and redefine cultural norms.

Marxist "PC" strategies began in Europe and central to the rise of totalitarian regimes that instigated World War II. As the war spread many of the proponents of this this mindset immigrated to the United States and began to spread their poison in the universities, media outlets and political movements across our nation. This tyrannical ungodly doctrine has spread like the vile plague it is and has Christianity in its cross-hairs.

Those of us who know and love the Bible understand this thought-process is as old as humanity itself. We know Nebuchadnezzar used it against the Hebrew children. Darius used it against Daniel. The Pharisees used it against Jesus and the Emperors used it against the Early Church.

If the Democrats prevail in this election we will see an alarming increase in the amount of PC pressure that will be unleashed on the Church. We would do well to learn from these Old Testament heroes.

So what do we do?

First, pray fervently for the election.

Second, get your heart right with God. Find boldness in the truth of God's Word. Stand for God's Word and refuse to be intimidated by the PC bullies.

Next, get informed politically and understand what's happening in our culture.

Vote informed and intelligently.

Use your influence with family and friends to convince them to vote.

Become active in your church and in your community. Consider running for school board or some other key local office. Build your influence in your community by service in your church, in community groups and political activism.

Paul said, "Be not overcome with evil but "overcome evil with good".

Learn that as the record of history testifies truth ultimately defeats error and lies. Truth will win again if God's people will find the courage of a Moses, the truths of God's Word, love God's truth and live the truth. Put on the spiritual armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and stand boldly for the truth regardless of the cost until "PC" comes to stand for "Praise Christ"!

As the three Hebrews said to the king, "Our God is able to deliver us but even if He doesn't, oh King we will not bow."

Be a Daniel! God still controls the lions!

October 14, 2016

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing." Romans 13:1-6

The Apostle Paul presented the Scriptural view of government in his letter to the Romans. Government exists to foster freedom and moral social order. 

With those principles in mind the Founders brilliantly created a system with a set of checks and balances and a Document containing clearly articulated limitations of the power of government.

That system and the Constitution that protects it have been under a systematic attack by Progressives for more than a century. One of the primary battlefields where this war has been waged is public education. 

In his book, "Well Versed", Dr. Jim Garlow details the powerfully destructive influence public education has had in undermining both Constitutional government and Christian Faith. Here's some excerpts from Chapter Six:

"As government has become more secular at its core, and clearly hostile through the misapplied and redefined concept of "separation of church and state," it's only natural to expect the most powerful tool for societal transformation - public school - to become its weapon of choice.

Is this an overstatement? Consider this: What possible justification can there be to violate a student's First Amendment rights of religious expression and practice, to selectively restrict the right of free speech, and to remove the freedom of assembly? Is it only for the purpose of removing any influence of Jesus Christ on a student's life?

Not only that, but in violating the student's individual liberties as encoded in the Constitution, the government is forcibly restraining that student from being the example of salt and light he or she is called to be every day (Matthew 5:13-16), not just in church on Sunday.

Our nation's failing academic standing isn't because of a supposed lack of funding at every level. To paraphrase Mark 8:36, what good would it be if all the money in the world went to education our children, but they would lose their very soul?

Our current educational system doesn't need a massive of new tax revenue; it needs to be rudely awakened to the fact that it is consumed (and corrupted) with anti-Christian bigotry. This blindness to the eternal value of faith can only be for one purpose - to knowingly or unknowingly turn an impressionable child away from faith that saves and points to the ultimate accountability we will all face. Our nation ignores this truth to its own detriment.

Parents, take responsibility of your children's education. Now! And if you are a believer attending college - stand firm! You are on the front lines of the battleground of the war zone where worldviews collide and agendas infiltrate Ask questions. Do personal research. Dig deep into Scripture. Seek God's wisdom, and commit everything you do to the almighty God. (I Thessalonians 5:16), who will help you fend off those influences that intend you harm."

I remind you of the advice given by the wisest man who ever lived, "train up a child in the way he should go" in spite of governmental obstacles.

October 13, 2016

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; the people he chose for his inheritance." Psalm 33:12

I was privileged to be among thousands of believers from all over the Commonwealth of Virginian today as we gathered on the steps of the Capitol in Richmond to intercede for America. Today was the 49th stop on Dr. Franklin Graham's America Decision 16 50 state tour praying for our Nation on the steps of every State's Capitol.

On a perfect Fall day, God's people called on God and repented of the sins of our nation (Abortion, Same-Sex Marriage, Sexual Perversions, Humanism, Racism, Materialism, Greed, etc.), our personal sins and the sins of our fathers. What a powerful experience as ten to fifteen Christians called out to God for grace and mercy under the leadership of Dr. Graham.

We were exercising our First Amendment right to assemble publicly and practice our religious beliefs. Dr. Graham strongly urged us to engage in the political process and suggested it is a dereliction of our Christian duty if we don't vote. It is irresponsible for a Christian not to stay informed on the issues and be prepared to cast an intelligent informed vote.

The Founders believed that our individual rights were given by God and they designed the government to protect those rights. So, according to the logic of the Founders the goal of government is do the work of God. Contrary to what secular progressives may say, the Church has a place in the governing of a nation.

It is time for the people of God to arise and engage and pray and speak truth to power. Franklin Graham called us to join with tens of thousands of Christians across America to take a pledge. I want you to take your phone and text 21777 and write "america" in the message line. You will receive a copy of the pledge and a comprehensive voter's guide.

Join Dr. Graham, me and thousands of other believers in becoming part of the hope of America turning back to God!

October 12, 2016

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." Romans 13:1-4

When the Founders designed and instituted the governing principles of the United States of America they had to make a moral judgment of what constitutes right and what constitutes wrong? 

After considerable study of historic philosophies and moral codes they came to a strong consensus that the moral teachings set forth in the Bible best defined what is good and what is evil.

Dr. Garlow writes about the importance of a clearly defined moral code is to good governance.(Pages 34-35 of "Well Versed")

"The restraining of evil includes trying to restrain evil in government itself. This is profoundly demonstrated by the fact that we have three supposedly equal branches of government: executive, legislative and judicial. They were instituted to keep each other in check because of the capacity for evil in the human heart - including those in political leadership. The fact that we have three supposedly equal branches of government is a clear acknowledgement by our Founders held a deeply theological truth: humans are prone to evil by nature.

Our Founders knew and understood evil. They had fled evil in their homelands. One of their driving passions was to construct a government that would hold evil in check, even within the government itself. The purpose of the Bill of Rights is to limit government. The failure to understand the capacity of evil itself has been illustrated by both President Franklin Roosevelt (January 11, 1944) and President Barak Obama when they suggested - many decades apart - that here should be a Bill of Rights FOR the government. Bluntly stated, the government does not need more rights. We need protection as citizens, often times FROM our government.

Remember the Bill of Rights are the rights for citizens and are designed to restrain government. But these two Presidents (as does the current Democratic candidate) wanted a Bill of Rights FOR the government (and thereby AGAINST our freedoms). Their view represents an inadequate and sophisticated understanding of the nature of evil and the damage that can be done by an unrestrained government." - Dr. Garlow

I find it interesting that the final verse of Chapter 12 that precedes this portion of Scripture says, "Be not overcome by evil but overcome evil with good."

A government that cannot clearly define evil will eventually be overcome by it.

October 11, 2016

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?" Matthew 7:1-4

With the most important national election of your lifetime just 27 days away, I want to again refer you to a helpful and thought-provoking book recently released by Wesleyan pastor, Dr. Jim Garlow. The Rev. Dr. Garlow pastors Skyline Wesleyan Church in the San Diego area. He is a very influential and articulate voice for Biblical political conservatism across our nation. I highly recommend his book "Well Versed" and will be borrowing from it liberally over this next month.

I want to begin by challenging the notion that you should not judge the statements and or actions of others - particularly politicians.

A careful reading of the few verses above will correct your thinking on that false charge.

Jesus clearly says that you can and should judge others IF you are willing to hold yourself accountable to the same standard.

To paraphrase Jesus, "Bring yourself under the judgment of God's Word and you are free to hold others to that standard. Judge yourself before you judge anyone else."

The second President of the United States of America, John Adams wisely said, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

President Adam's statement is, itself, judgmental isn't it? Does it not declare that there is a moral standard by which the citizens of this new nation will be expected to judge themselves? There is also an implied judgment that it will require a religious faith to for citizens to govern themselves according to this moral standard.

The vision of government held by the Founders was a government that was necessary only to define the standards which contribute to liberty and to hold those accountable who are unable to govern themselves according to those standards.

Where did that notion come from?

See if this sounds familiar?

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended." Romans 13:1-3

Our Founders drew this principle of moral self-government right from the pages of the New Testament!

It is not only right to judge others, it is necessary for a free, orderly and productive society. But the first responsibility of each individual citizen is to judge himself.

When this doesn't happen you end up with the sort of repugnant behavior we have witnessed through the past several National election cycles. We are wearied by candidates who feign moral indignation in "judging" their opponent guilty of the very moral failures corrupting their own lives.

So, as we are again with this coming election, we are compelled to make a judgment on which of these hypocritical and corrupt candidates we can conscientiously support.

October 10, 2016

"When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted." Matthew 28:17

Now, why did they put that last phrase in there? Isn't that curious? I understand that Matthew would want us to know that the eleven remaining disciples worshiped the Risen Jesus - but did we need to know about the doubters?

How could you doubt Jesus when He is right there; risen, alive, and triumphant?

This serves as one more proof of the authenticity of the Bible. Had it been written by men who were trying to deceive they would not have included those three words "but some doubted".

So, what should we make of that statement?

Personally, I take encouragement from it! Here's why:

First, it tells me that these "some who doubted" (and we don't know how many of them there were) worshiped through their doubts. Even though they were unresolved in their faith, they didn't let it keep them from falling at the feet of the Resurrected Jesus.

Haven't you come to church some time when you were struggling with a doubt? What better place to be when you are unresolved in your faith?

Second, it tells me that God can use spiritually unresolved people to change the world! This same group of eleven became the foundation for the Church of Jesus Christ. So, not only did they worship through their doubts but the served through their doubts.

How many times have you stepped out into some new endeavor for the Lord and you weren't sure what the result would be. It was scary and uncomfortable for you but you leaned on His strength and worked through your doubts! I'm sure you have done that. I know I have!

Third, it doesn't say whether the doubts they had were toward Jesus or about themselves. For every doubt I have had about Him, I have had a thousand toward myself. In fact, when God began to lay the calling for ministry upon my heart, I resisted for four years primarily because I had serious doubts about my ability to measure up to that calling. I believed God could do it I just didn't think I could. Fortunately, a good friend assured me that when He calls He enables.

Why are those three words included in this significant portion of Scripture? I think it is because God want us to know that it is okay to have doubts as long as we worship through them and work through them. God is greater than our doubts!

If you are struggling with some doubts today - bring them to the feet of Jesus!