"Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book, and every member should regulate his cnduct by the precepts there exhibited! Evey member would be obligated in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God . . . What a Utopia, what a paradise would this region be." - John Adams
Monday, October 11, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Turning the Tide
We are living in a critical time in the history of our nation. We are on the precipice of a deep dark cavernous destiny. There are efforts to change the moral, economic, political, and spiritual fabric of this land. We are a nation that has murdered and continues to murder literally millions of its preborn children. How many scientists, doctors, engineers, leaders and citizens have consequently been lost before they even took their first breath? The lack of tax payers to support social programs for the needy is directly attributable to a large extent to the emptiness left in the ranks of the population by abortion. The tax burden has increased not only because of politician’s out of control spending, but because those who would have joined in to help lift the burden have been removed. The wealth of our future generations has been and continues to be squandered. Dependence upon the state as a permanent way of life instead of a temporary help is being held out as a carrot to lure people into a trap where their freedoms are threatened without them even knowing it. We are financially overextended and in stupendous economic debt. There are forces at work to move us away from our Christian heritage and into a state where homosexuality, same sex marriage, adultery, and promiscuity are not only accepted but glorified. The media has become a propaganda machine more than an independent check and balance in our society. There is an anti-Christian spirit sweeping our land. Christians are being unduly criticized and marginalized. Marginalization of a group historically is a major step in isolating them and ultimately persecuting them in an effort to extinguish them and their voice from society. This is very serious. Like the sons of Issachar we need to “understand the times” in which we live to know what we should do (1 Chron. 12:32).
This particular upcoming election is a pivotal event in our nation’s history. For instance, political advisor Dick Morris estimates the outcome could affect the direction of our nation for the next 10, 20, even 100 years. Should Jesus tarry why is this election so important? How serious is the present state of affairs? Turning the Tide is a message by Charles Stanley that explains not only the proposed paradigm shift in our nation’s principles but why this is so important for us as Christians to know and defend against. As Christians we are directed to act responsibly as good citizens within the system of government God has sovereignly placed us (Rom. 13). Being informed and taking a stand for righteousness is part of that.
The Shepherd of Hope blog is not a political site, it is a site aimed at helping people know Jesus better and find hope in Him. It is a site that relies on the Spirit of God to use the word of God to build people of God. It’s a blog aimed at helping people maneuver through life according to the scriptures. Politics and government do not provide adequate answers to life’s questions or even true viable solutions to life’s problems. We are not to be consumed by politics. But politics and government are a part of life that Christians need to be aware of and in which we should take a healthy scriptural stand.
Jesus was not a respecter of people; He didn’t treat people differently based on their status or party affiliation (Mat. 22:16). When we consider the area of politics our party affiliation should be first and foremost a heavenly one. Our citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20). We first and foremost obey God rather than people (Acts 5:29). Therefore, regardless of our political party, we need to take a stand for what is right and true based on God and what He says in His word. God’s word is our standard. Jesus is our Lord. We bow to and obey Him above all other Phil. 2:9-11).
All political parties are imperfect. That is because they are run by imperfect people. As Christians we should look at all life, including politics and its parties, through the lens of scripture. Jesus said to, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things of God” (Mark 12:17). Politics is an area where our attention and involvement need to be rendered. Jesus commissioned disciples to be salt and light in the world; to do good works in the world that would bring glory to God (Mat. 5:13-16). In every way and in every aspect of the world, including politics, we are to be salt and light. Salt purifies and affects flavor. Light exposes darkness. We are to bring purity to and change the flavor of politics as much as possible based on God’s word.
Putting our heads in the sand and wishing for bad things to go away is a defeatist mentality. Ignoring politics as inconsequential is not the product of a deeper or higher spirituality, it is superficial and not mindful that God throughout history works in and through government (cf. the book of Daniel). Such a mindset rather than being deeper and higher spiritually exposes a weak and ignorant faith. It is not being salt and light. It is not in tune with scripture. God has placed us here in history for such a time as this (e.g. Esther 4:14). God is His word says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). God has a plan for us, a work to do in this world. And yes, politics and government are areas where there is work for us to do. None of what is happening in the world today has caught God by surprise. He has a plan. We are part of that plan. Let us walk in it.
So what do we do? First we pray. Then we always proceed with God’s word as the lamp to our feet and light to our path (Ps. 119:105). We get informed scripturally and we get informed about what is going on in the world around us. We can’t expose “the unfruitful works of darkness” unless we know what they are (Eph. 5:11). We pray for the Spirit’s guidance, wait for His word, then follow His instruction. The language of the Spirit is the word of God; scripture. (The Spirit will never, no never direct us in a way that contradicts His holy word.) Then we act in good works in the power of the Spirit according to the Spirit’s leading.
In an effort to help you get informed about the state of affairs in our nation I want to encourage you to watch the following video of a message given recently by Charles Stanley. Turning the Tide lays out from a scripturally sound perspective what is going on in our nation. It explains the potential dangerous consequences of the road we are travelling on as a nation. Then there is a call for action. Watch this prayerfully and ask God what He would have you to do. This is our first step. God bless you and God bless and save America and America’s people.
This particular upcoming election is a pivotal event in our nation’s history. For instance, political advisor Dick Morris estimates the outcome could affect the direction of our nation for the next 10, 20, even 100 years. Should Jesus tarry why is this election so important? How serious is the present state of affairs? Turning the Tide is a message by Charles Stanley that explains not only the proposed paradigm shift in our nation’s principles but why this is so important for us as Christians to know and defend against. As Christians we are directed to act responsibly as good citizens within the system of government God has sovereignly placed us (Rom. 13). Being informed and taking a stand for righteousness is part of that.
The Shepherd of Hope blog is not a political site, it is a site aimed at helping people know Jesus better and find hope in Him. It is a site that relies on the Spirit of God to use the word of God to build people of God. It’s a blog aimed at helping people maneuver through life according to the scriptures. Politics and government do not provide adequate answers to life’s questions or even true viable solutions to life’s problems. We are not to be consumed by politics. But politics and government are a part of life that Christians need to be aware of and in which we should take a healthy scriptural stand.
Jesus was not a respecter of people; He didn’t treat people differently based on their status or party affiliation (Mat. 22:16). When we consider the area of politics our party affiliation should be first and foremost a heavenly one. Our citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20). We first and foremost obey God rather than people (Acts 5:29). Therefore, regardless of our political party, we need to take a stand for what is right and true based on God and what He says in His word. God’s word is our standard. Jesus is our Lord. We bow to and obey Him above all other Phil. 2:9-11).
All political parties are imperfect. That is because they are run by imperfect people. As Christians we should look at all life, including politics and its parties, through the lens of scripture. Jesus said to, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things of God” (Mark 12:17). Politics is an area where our attention and involvement need to be rendered. Jesus commissioned disciples to be salt and light in the world; to do good works in the world that would bring glory to God (Mat. 5:13-16). In every way and in every aspect of the world, including politics, we are to be salt and light. Salt purifies and affects flavor. Light exposes darkness. We are to bring purity to and change the flavor of politics as much as possible based on God’s word.
Putting our heads in the sand and wishing for bad things to go away is a defeatist mentality. Ignoring politics as inconsequential is not the product of a deeper or higher spirituality, it is superficial and not mindful that God throughout history works in and through government (cf. the book of Daniel). Such a mindset rather than being deeper and higher spiritually exposes a weak and ignorant faith. It is not being salt and light. It is not in tune with scripture. God has placed us here in history for such a time as this (e.g. Esther 4:14). God is His word says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). God has a plan for us, a work to do in this world. And yes, politics and government are areas where there is work for us to do. None of what is happening in the world today has caught God by surprise. He has a plan. We are part of that plan. Let us walk in it.
So what do we do? First we pray. Then we always proceed with God’s word as the lamp to our feet and light to our path (Ps. 119:105). We get informed scripturally and we get informed about what is going on in the world around us. We can’t expose “the unfruitful works of darkness” unless we know what they are (Eph. 5:11). We pray for the Spirit’s guidance, wait for His word, then follow His instruction. The language of the Spirit is the word of God; scripture. (The Spirit will never, no never direct us in a way that contradicts His holy word.) Then we act in good works in the power of the Spirit according to the Spirit’s leading.
In an effort to help you get informed about the state of affairs in our nation I want to encourage you to watch the following video of a message given recently by Charles Stanley. Turning the Tide lays out from a scripturally sound perspective what is going on in our nation. It explains the potential dangerous consequences of the road we are travelling on as a nation. Then there is a call for action. Watch this prayerfully and ask God what He would have you to do. This is our first step. God bless you and God bless and save America and America’s people.
Friday, October 8, 2010
"Increase our faith"
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). Faith brings salvation when forsaking all alternative means to salvation I trust Him, Christ alone for salvation (Luke 7:50). “The just shall live by faith” (Hab. 2:4; Rom 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38). Faith is to be placed in God and Christ (John 14:1). Faith links us to God’s power in life (Acts 15:8-9). We’re supposed to walk by faith and not mere sight (2 Cor. 5:7). Faith gets us through uncertainty in life. Throughout Biblical history people were able to do great things by faith (e.g. Heb. 11). Faith brings healing (e.g. Luke 8:48; also 17:19). Therefore when we read the disciples of Jesus ask Him to, “Increase our faith” it shouldn’t surprise us (Luke 17:5). “Faith” (Greek - πίστις – pistis) means assurance, belief, confidence, conviction, faith, fidelity, trust. We could all use more faith. The Bible says without faith it’s impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). What precipitated this request from the disciples and what did Jesus say in response to their request to increase their faith? How can we increase our faith?
The context of the disciple’s request was that Jesus had just told His disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones” (Luke17:1-2). Jesus said the reality is that offenses will come. We are limited in our fallen state. We are going to fall at times. But we are called to live a holy life (1 Pet. 1:15-16). Jesus told the woman caught in adultery, “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11). He tells us the same. But Jesus’ words reveal there is no such thing as sinless perfection in this life. In this life we will struggle at times to overcome certain sins in our lives. This is what John meant when he said, “there is a sin not leading to death” (1 John 5:16-17). The key is drawing close to Jesus because the closer we come to Jesus the more clearly we will see sin. The closer we come to Jesus the more power we will have over sin (e.g. 1 John 3:6-8). God’s promise is that when we enter into new life in Christ sin will no longer dominate us (Rom. 6:14). God is faithful and promises to show us the way to escape temptation when it comes (1 Cor. 10:13).
Jesus pronounced a woe against those who instigate or who introduce temptations which cause others to stumble. It’s one thing to be tempted, it’s quite another to be the tempter. A name for the devil is “the tempter” (Mat. 4:3; 1 Thess. 3:5). When we tempt others, we are acting like the devil. That is why Jesus pronounces a woe on the one who tempts others. Using deception and temptation to manipulate others to do our will is satanic. Don’t do it.
Similarly, Paul instructs believers to guard against being a hindrance to those of weaker faith (Rom. 14-15). This isn’t always easy. We may feel it an imposition to restrict our freedoms for the sake of others who are not as spiritually mature. But a person’s faith and its condition is of greater importance and value than our freedoms. A person’s faith is a treasure to God (Eph. 1:18). This is certainly the case when we abuse “freedom” to indulge our flesh (Gal. 5:13). Lord, increase our faith. Help us to not be the source of temptation or a hindrance to the faith of others.
Then Jesus says, “Take heed to yourselves” (Luke 17:3a). We need to be good stewards of what God has given to us. Jesus would not have said for His disciples to take heed to themselves unless there were dangers or pitfalls to guard against. We need to take care of ourselves spiritually. Spiritual muscles atrophy and get flabby with disuse. We need to work out spiritually and do so on a regular basis. That means pray, read the word of God, fellowship and worship the Lord (e.g. Acts 2:42). We need to take time to get alone and invite the Holy Spirit to do His holy work in us. This is the means by which Jesus works in us to increase our faith. Lord, increase our faith.
Jesus first says to take heed to yourselves because He knew the nature of people and that when offenses come it creates great temptations. When someone offends you there is a temptation for revenge, resentment, hatred, unforgiveness and a host of other sinful responses. That is why Jesus goes on to say, “If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him” (Luke 17:3b-4). The word “rebuke” (Greek - ἐπιτιμάω - ĕpitimaō - ep-ee-tee-mah´-o) means admonish, warn, rebuke. We need to correct offenders. In other words, we need to deal with offenses and not let them accumulate and develop into larger problems.
Dealing with offenses isn’t easy. Forgiving offenders isn’t easy. It hurts to be offended or sinned against. And yet Jesus says if a person sins against you and he “repents, forgive him.” To repent (Greek - μετανοέω metanoeo - met-an-ŏ-eh´-o) means to have a change of heart that leads to a change in action. Godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation (2 Cor. 7:10). Repentance is necessary for true reconciliation to occur. That doesn’t mean we hate or try to hurt an unrepentant offender. We pray for them and seek discipline or to help them to learn the error of their ways. We should seek for them to experience godly sorrow for their sins that produces repentance that leads to salvation or reconciliation in the situation.
How often should we forgive someone who sins against us and repents? Jesus basically says as often as the offender repents. There is such a thing as a chronic offender. Jesus gave us the criteria and call to reconcile with such an offender. It is often very difficult to forgive and even more difficult to forgive often. That’s why the disciples and we say, “Lord, increase our faith.” We need to trust the Lord with our fears that injustice will prevail. We need to surrender offenders to Him. God is a Just Judge.
We’ve seen how Jesus instruction to, “Take heed to yourselves” is a call to spiritual devotion. But what is His direct response to the request from the disciples to increase their faith? First Jesus says, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you” (Luke 17:6). In other words, the quality of your faith is more important than the quantity of your faith. It’s not how much faith you have because faith the size of a small mustard seed can uproot a mulberry tree and toss it in the sea. A mulberry tree is a tree with deep roots that is hard to uproot. A little bit of faith can move that which is hard to move.
The word “faith” also means “faithfulness.” When we see what Jesus says in light of that it helps our understanding. Faithfulness moves that which is difficult to move. We see an example of this in Jesus’ parable of the persistent widow. Because of her persistence in pestering a certain disinterested judge, she got what she wanted. Jesus told this parable so, “that men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1-8). The idea is we should have faith in prayer. God is not disinterested but very interested in us and our lives. That being the case, we should persist faithfully in prayer and not give up. Jesus told this parable evidently because the faithfulness of people was in question. He ended the teaching by saying, “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” How about you? How’s your prayer life? Jesus equated persistence in prayer with faith in this parable? So when we ask ‘how’s your prayer life,’ we are also by implication asking “How’s your faith or faithfulness?"
In response to the disciples request to Jesus to increase their faith, after Jesus says quality not quantity is what is important with faith, He shares a parable with them. He says:
• Luke 17:7-10 - 7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”
What’s the point? The point is that faith is increased through service. By sharing this parable with His disciples Jesus is teaching them that service produces faith. Service creates a host of faith building situations. When you serve the Lord you have to have faith to seek His will to know where and how He wants you to serve. You have to have faith that God will supply what you need to serve Him where and how He directs you to serve. And you have to have faith that God will work in and through you as you serve. Service is the environment in which faith is produced.
And there is a necessary attitude in this service that leads to faith. The parable conveys the idea that the one who serves should be serving with no expectation to get something. The one serving is not doing his or her master a favor in serving. The master is not obligated to give something to the one who serves him. When the servant serves, they are simply doing what a servant does or is supposed to do, i.e. serve. Faith is the fruit of a selfless servant.
The word “duty” implies an indebtedness (Greek - ὀφείλω – ŏphĕilō - of-i´-lo). When we look at this in terms of our service to the Lord we should understand that we are His servants because we have been bought by Him. We are not our own, we are His. He has redeemed us from the penalty of sin with the precious blood of Jesus (1 Co. 6:19-20; 1 Pet. 1:18-19). Because Jesus died for us we should no longer live for ourselves but for Him who died for us. The compelling force in service should not be to manipulate or gain God’s favor through service. We should not serve to get something out of God. We serve because of our loving appreciation for Jesus and His sacrifice for us (2 Cor. 5:14-16). When we serve the Lord, compelled by love for Him, expecting nothing special in return, the byproduct is increased faith. Why is that? How is that?
When we serve God in loving appreciation trusting Him to increase our faith but with no expectations of any special favor from Him, what we discover is, “your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Mat. 6:8). Our faith is increased when we serve selflessly because we learn that God loves us and will bless us when we simply trust Him to do so. Selfless service increases our faith because it is the way to learn God, “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Eph. 3:20).
How’s your faith? Need some more? Are you willing to serve the Lord that way? Loving selfless service is Jesus’ prescription to increase faith. How’s your service? Help us to take heed to our spiritual condition. Help us not to be a source of temptation to others. Help us to forgive. Lord we love you. Lord give us opportunities to serve You. Lord, increase our faith!
The context of the disciple’s request was that Jesus had just told His disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones” (Luke17:1-2). Jesus said the reality is that offenses will come. We are limited in our fallen state. We are going to fall at times. But we are called to live a holy life (1 Pet. 1:15-16). Jesus told the woman caught in adultery, “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11). He tells us the same. But Jesus’ words reveal there is no such thing as sinless perfection in this life. In this life we will struggle at times to overcome certain sins in our lives. This is what John meant when he said, “there is a sin not leading to death” (1 John 5:16-17). The key is drawing close to Jesus because the closer we come to Jesus the more clearly we will see sin. The closer we come to Jesus the more power we will have over sin (e.g. 1 John 3:6-8). God’s promise is that when we enter into new life in Christ sin will no longer dominate us (Rom. 6:14). God is faithful and promises to show us the way to escape temptation when it comes (1 Cor. 10:13).
Jesus pronounced a woe against those who instigate or who introduce temptations which cause others to stumble. It’s one thing to be tempted, it’s quite another to be the tempter. A name for the devil is “the tempter” (Mat. 4:3; 1 Thess. 3:5). When we tempt others, we are acting like the devil. That is why Jesus pronounces a woe on the one who tempts others. Using deception and temptation to manipulate others to do our will is satanic. Don’t do it.
Similarly, Paul instructs believers to guard against being a hindrance to those of weaker faith (Rom. 14-15). This isn’t always easy. We may feel it an imposition to restrict our freedoms for the sake of others who are not as spiritually mature. But a person’s faith and its condition is of greater importance and value than our freedoms. A person’s faith is a treasure to God (Eph. 1:18). This is certainly the case when we abuse “freedom” to indulge our flesh (Gal. 5:13). Lord, increase our faith. Help us to not be the source of temptation or a hindrance to the faith of others.
Then Jesus says, “Take heed to yourselves” (Luke 17:3a). We need to be good stewards of what God has given to us. Jesus would not have said for His disciples to take heed to themselves unless there were dangers or pitfalls to guard against. We need to take care of ourselves spiritually. Spiritual muscles atrophy and get flabby with disuse. We need to work out spiritually and do so on a regular basis. That means pray, read the word of God, fellowship and worship the Lord (e.g. Acts 2:42). We need to take time to get alone and invite the Holy Spirit to do His holy work in us. This is the means by which Jesus works in us to increase our faith. Lord, increase our faith.
Jesus first says to take heed to yourselves because He knew the nature of people and that when offenses come it creates great temptations. When someone offends you there is a temptation for revenge, resentment, hatred, unforgiveness and a host of other sinful responses. That is why Jesus goes on to say, “If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him” (Luke 17:3b-4). The word “rebuke” (Greek - ἐπιτιμάω - ĕpitimaō - ep-ee-tee-mah´-o) means admonish, warn, rebuke. We need to correct offenders. In other words, we need to deal with offenses and not let them accumulate and develop into larger problems.
Dealing with offenses isn’t easy. Forgiving offenders isn’t easy. It hurts to be offended or sinned against. And yet Jesus says if a person sins against you and he “repents, forgive him.” To repent (Greek - μετανοέω metanoeo - met-an-ŏ-eh´-o) means to have a change of heart that leads to a change in action. Godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation (2 Cor. 7:10). Repentance is necessary for true reconciliation to occur. That doesn’t mean we hate or try to hurt an unrepentant offender. We pray for them and seek discipline or to help them to learn the error of their ways. We should seek for them to experience godly sorrow for their sins that produces repentance that leads to salvation or reconciliation in the situation.
How often should we forgive someone who sins against us and repents? Jesus basically says as often as the offender repents. There is such a thing as a chronic offender. Jesus gave us the criteria and call to reconcile with such an offender. It is often very difficult to forgive and even more difficult to forgive often. That’s why the disciples and we say, “Lord, increase our faith.” We need to trust the Lord with our fears that injustice will prevail. We need to surrender offenders to Him. God is a Just Judge.
We’ve seen how Jesus instruction to, “Take heed to yourselves” is a call to spiritual devotion. But what is His direct response to the request from the disciples to increase their faith? First Jesus says, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you” (Luke 17:6). In other words, the quality of your faith is more important than the quantity of your faith. It’s not how much faith you have because faith the size of a small mustard seed can uproot a mulberry tree and toss it in the sea. A mulberry tree is a tree with deep roots that is hard to uproot. A little bit of faith can move that which is hard to move.
The word “faith” also means “faithfulness.” When we see what Jesus says in light of that it helps our understanding. Faithfulness moves that which is difficult to move. We see an example of this in Jesus’ parable of the persistent widow. Because of her persistence in pestering a certain disinterested judge, she got what she wanted. Jesus told this parable so, “that men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1-8). The idea is we should have faith in prayer. God is not disinterested but very interested in us and our lives. That being the case, we should persist faithfully in prayer and not give up. Jesus told this parable evidently because the faithfulness of people was in question. He ended the teaching by saying, “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” How about you? How’s your prayer life? Jesus equated persistence in prayer with faith in this parable? So when we ask ‘how’s your prayer life,’ we are also by implication asking “How’s your faith or faithfulness?"
In response to the disciples request to Jesus to increase their faith, after Jesus says quality not quantity is what is important with faith, He shares a parable with them. He says:
• Luke 17:7-10 - 7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”
What’s the point? The point is that faith is increased through service. By sharing this parable with His disciples Jesus is teaching them that service produces faith. Service creates a host of faith building situations. When you serve the Lord you have to have faith to seek His will to know where and how He wants you to serve. You have to have faith that God will supply what you need to serve Him where and how He directs you to serve. And you have to have faith that God will work in and through you as you serve. Service is the environment in which faith is produced.
And there is a necessary attitude in this service that leads to faith. The parable conveys the idea that the one who serves should be serving with no expectation to get something. The one serving is not doing his or her master a favor in serving. The master is not obligated to give something to the one who serves him. When the servant serves, they are simply doing what a servant does or is supposed to do, i.e. serve. Faith is the fruit of a selfless servant.
The word “duty” implies an indebtedness (Greek - ὀφείλω – ŏphĕilō - of-i´-lo). When we look at this in terms of our service to the Lord we should understand that we are His servants because we have been bought by Him. We are not our own, we are His. He has redeemed us from the penalty of sin with the precious blood of Jesus (1 Co. 6:19-20; 1 Pet. 1:18-19). Because Jesus died for us we should no longer live for ourselves but for Him who died for us. The compelling force in service should not be to manipulate or gain God’s favor through service. We should not serve to get something out of God. We serve because of our loving appreciation for Jesus and His sacrifice for us (2 Cor. 5:14-16). When we serve the Lord, compelled by love for Him, expecting nothing special in return, the byproduct is increased faith. Why is that? How is that?
When we serve God in loving appreciation trusting Him to increase our faith but with no expectations of any special favor from Him, what we discover is, “your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Mat. 6:8). Our faith is increased when we serve selflessly because we learn that God loves us and will bless us when we simply trust Him to do so. Selfless service increases our faith because it is the way to learn God, “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Eph. 3:20).
How’s your faith? Need some more? Are you willing to serve the Lord that way? Loving selfless service is Jesus’ prescription to increase faith. How’s your service? Help us to take heed to our spiritual condition. Help us not to be a source of temptation to others. Help us to forgive. Lord we love you. Lord give us opportunities to serve You. Lord, increase our faith!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Is America a Christian Nation? - David Barton
Is America a Christian nation? Is it exceptional? To hear many speak today you’d think America is anything but exceptional. Some are calling for God to damn America. Some focus predominantly on the sins of America to the neglect of any good influence of this nation. America is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. For instance, America grew up allowing slavery and had to fight a great bloody civil war to eliminate it. We are a nation that has allowed itself to corrupt God’s blessing into an opportunity to indulge hedonistic lusts. But there is much good associated with this nation too. No nation on earth helps the needy more or invests more money in missions. As a nation we are more often than not the first to send aid around the world to help during times of tragedy.
America is not perfect, but it is exceptional. What makes it exceptional? To answer that question you have to review the historical roots of our nation. As you watch this series of short videos of David Barton watch them with an open mind, open to the Spirit of God. There is a spirit of negativity and imbalanced criticism in our land toward our nation. There are those seeking to revise history. They want to eliminate God and any mention of Christianity from our American history books. They want to do this so that they can insert their own world view, a world view that permits immoral licentiousness. So what should we do? We don’t counter this effort to deceive with a Pollyanna naiveté that is just as deceptive. We counter falsehood with an examination of the truth. The most important truth to appeal to is God’s Biblical truth. We need to view our nation and the world through the lens of scripture.
Is America a Christian nation? Watch this series of short videos of a message by David Barton of WallBuilders and consider the facts. Then pray for God to lead us in a way that will bring us into alignment with His Holy Word. God has blessed America. We are in a time of struggle for the soul and destiny of this nation. Pray we return to God and His Word. Pray for revival. He is our only hope.
America is not perfect, but it is exceptional. What makes it exceptional? To answer that question you have to review the historical roots of our nation. As you watch this series of short videos of David Barton watch them with an open mind, open to the Spirit of God. There is a spirit of negativity and imbalanced criticism in our land toward our nation. There are those seeking to revise history. They want to eliminate God and any mention of Christianity from our American history books. They want to do this so that they can insert their own world view, a world view that permits immoral licentiousness. So what should we do? We don’t counter this effort to deceive with a Pollyanna naiveté that is just as deceptive. We counter falsehood with an examination of the truth. The most important truth to appeal to is God’s Biblical truth. We need to view our nation and the world through the lens of scripture.
Is America a Christian nation? Watch this series of short videos of a message by David Barton of WallBuilders and consider the facts. Then pray for God to lead us in a way that will bring us into alignment with His Holy Word. God has blessed America. We are in a time of struggle for the soul and destiny of this nation. Pray we return to God and His Word. Pray for revival. He is our only hope.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
U.S. Capitol Tour - by David Barton
Is there evidence that the United States is a “Christian” nation? Watch this Capitol Tour given by David Barton of Wall Builders and judge for yourself. Pray for us to return to our roots as a nation. Pray for revival. God bless you all and God bless America.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
A Word On Politics
November 2nd, 2010 will be one of the most important days in the history of our nation. This day is Election Day. The choices made on this day may well determine the future of our nation and the rapidity with which it declines or experiences the hope for revival. I do not believe that politics holds the hope for our nation, but having said that, I also do not believe we should ignore or disassociate ourselves from the political process entirely.
Romans 13 calls every Christian to be a good citizen in the governmental system in which God sovereignly places them. For us, that is a democracy and in a democracy good citizens vote and are involved in the process. There are flaws and opportunities for corruption in democracies like there are in any and all other systems which involve sinful human beings. But God calls believers to act redemptively in the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit to be salt and light wherever they are and in whatever political or governmental system they live in (Matthew 5:13-16). Nowhere in scripture are Christians instructed to simply throw up their hands and give in to evil and darkness. We are called to go on the offensive and storm the gates of hell wherever we find them (Matthew 16:18). That is why I am encouraging you to be fervent in your prayers for our nation and its leadership and to get involved in some way to be salt and light.
One practical way to serve in this regard is to PRAY, that is our most basic and indeed, most powerful form of involvement (1 Timothy 2:1-8). We need to be in prayer for all governmental representatives. For some we need to pray that the conviction of the Spirit descends upon them to call them to repent. Others we need to pray that they will be encouraged and not give up. For all we should be praying that they bow their knees before the Father in humility and dependence.
As good citizens it is also important to KEEP INFORMED and be able to answer intelligently in the Spirit those who support candidates who are less than righteous and even evil in nature. Pray the Lord open the door to witness in such political conversation because the salvation of humanity is our top priority.
REMEMBER, THERE ARE NO PERFECT CANDIDATES! Candidates are human beings and human beings are not perfect. But there are candidates chosen by God (Daniel 2:20-22). There are candidates who are anti-Christ in nature (Psalm 94:20; Proverbs 14:34; 16:12; 1 John 2:18; 4:1-4). You can determine chosen candidates by holding them up to the standard of God's word and seeing which one best fits the mold of God's word. You must do this prayerfully because one of the characteristics of politics is deception and manipulation. Ask the Lord to reveal His truth to you and to help you discern who He would have you vote for. Ask God to expose falsehoods and lies and exalt the truth.
It should also be noted that candidates considered for our righteous support are not limited to the male gender. While the Bible does prohibit women serving in the church as pastors (1 Timothy 2:12-14), there is no such prohibition against a woman's eligibility in secular areas of service. So if you see a godly righteous woman candidate, give her all your support!
Lastly, we should GIVE monetarily to righteous groups and causes. The political process in our day and age is fueled by money. That is a political reality. Jesus spoke a great deal about finances and money. While the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10), money itself is not evil. The word "Money" occurs 148 times in the Bible; the word "give" 865 times. Money is an important topic in God's word and Jesus spoke a great deal about it (see Matthew 6). Our monetary income comes from the Lord and He wants us to use the money or finances He provides us in a righteous way according to His will (1 Samuel 2:7; Philippians 4:19; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; James 1:17). Money is a neutral entity that can be used for good or evil, to support good candidates or to support bad, evil or wrong candidates. Money exerts a powerful influence (Proverbs 22:7; 1 Timothy 6:17-19) and therefore we, as good stewards of God's provisions, should ask God to show us when and where He would have us exert money's influence for His glory.
If you can’t afford to give monetarily, see if there is some way you could serve in helping a righteous candidate or group. Some group resources you should consider looking into for further information are:
• American Family Association – http://action.afa.net/
• Family Research Council – www.frc.org
• Citizen Link - http://www.citizenlink.com/
• Newyorkers for Constitutional Freedoms - http://www.nycf.info/
Our ultimate goal is not merely the election or reelection of certain representatives, but the SPIRITUAL REVIVAL of our nation. The questions you should be asking are Which candidate best aligns with God's truth and will as revealed in His word? Which candidate would God prefer to lead a nation with Kingdom values? Which candidate would God have me support? God bless you all and prayerfully be salt and light.
Citizenship and the Coming of Christ
"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake.6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing.7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. 8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." - Romans 13:1-14
Romans 13 is in the practical or application section of the book of Romans (i.e. Romans 12-16). In Romans 12 Paul exhorts us to present ourselves to God as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God because that is the only reasonable response to all God in His grace has done for us (see Romans 1-11). Romans 12 goes on to describe how the Christian is to live in church body settings. In Romans 13 and following we are instructed on how to live in society or the world.
The times we are living in are filled with tension, uncertainty, danger and darkness. How should a Christian respond and live in such times. The following is a brief synopsis of what it means to be a good Christian citizen in times such as these.
1. Respect your government understanding that God has allowed it to be established - 13:1. Pray for your government officials - 1 Timothy 2:1-8.
2. If you resist government understand you may be resisting God's ordained authority - 13:2; Daniel 4:17. Remember, Paul wrote this under Roman rule! But also understand that the Christian's priority is to God over men - Acts 5:29; Daniel 3:16-18; 6:10ff.
3. Government is designed by God to resist evil - 13:3-4.
4. Let God guide your conscience toward government - 13:5.
5. The purpose of government is to minister or serve - 13:6.
6. It is God's will that we pay taxes to financially support government - 13:6-7.
7. Christian citizens are to act in love - 13:8-10; Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 13.
8. Christians are to live as good citizens in an awareness of the return of Jesus - 13:11-14.
a. A good Christian citizen is awake spiritually and alert to the prophetic times in which they live - 13:11.
b. A good Christian citizen works to "cast off the works of darkness" -13:12a.
c. A good Christian citizen puts on the armor of light, shines the light of God's truth against the darkness around them - 13:12b.
d. A good Christian citizen walks properly, under the control of the Spirit, not in the drunken lewdness, strife and envy of the world - 13:13
e. A good Christian citizen puts on Jesus, walks in the Spirit and does not live in their flesh or own strength and understanding - 13:14.
Let’s pray that we and our fellow Christians are good citizens as we watch for the return of our Savior Jesus Christ. Let’s join together and prayerfully seek the Lord's help and leading to be a good citizen and ambassador of Jesus Christ in the country and political system He sovereignly chose to place us.
Did You Know?
DID YOU KNOW?
As you walk up the steps to the building which houses the U.S. Supreme Court you can see near the top of the building a row of the world's law givers and each one is facing one in the middle who is facing forward with a full frontal view ... it is Moses and he is holding the Ten Commandments!
DID YOU KNOW?
As you enter the Supreme Court courtroom, the two huge oak doors have the Ten Commandments engraved on each lower portion of each door.
DID YOU KNOW?
As you sit inside the courtroom, you can see the wall, right above where the Supreme Court judges sit, a display of the Ten Commandments!
DID YOU KNOW?
There are Bible verses etched in stone all over the Federal Buildings and Monuments in Washington, D.C.
DID YOU KNOW?
James Madison, the fourth president, known as "The Father of Our Constitution" made the following statement: "We have staked the whole of all our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."
DID YOU KNOW?
Patrick Henry, that patriot and Founding Father of our country said: "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians, not on religions but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ".
DID YOU KNOW?
Every session of Congress begins with a prayer by a paid preacher, whose salary has been paid by the taxpayer since 1777.
DID YOU KNOW?
Fifty-two of the 55 founders of the Constitution were members of the established orthodox churches in the colonies.
DID YOU KNOW?
Thomas Jefferson worried that the Courts would overstep their authority and instead of interpreting the law would begin making law ... an oligarchy ... the rule of few over many.
DID YOU KNOW?
The very first Supreme Court Justice, John Jay, said: "Americans should select and prefer Christians as their rulers." How, then, have we gotten to the point that everything we have done for 220 years in this country is now suddenly wrong and unconstitutional?
Did you also know that 52 of the 55 signers of the Declaration of Independence were orthodox, deeply committed Christians? The other three believed in the Bible as the divine truth, in the God of Scripture, in His personal intervention.
Immediately after creating the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Congress voted to purchase and import 20,000 copies of the Scripture for the people of this nation.
Patrick Henry is still remembered for his words, "Give me liberty or give me death." But in current textbooks the context of these words are deleted. Here is what he actually said:
"An appeal to arms and the God of hosts is all that is left us. But we shall not fight our battle alone. There is a just God that presides over the destinies of nations. The battle sir, is not to the strong alone, is life so dear and peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death."
These sentences have been erased from our textbooks. The following year, 1776, Henry wrote this: "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded the freedom of worship here."
Consider these words Thomas Jefferson wrote in the front of his well worn Bible: "I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus. I have little doubt that our whole country will soon be rallied to the unity of our Creator." Jefferson was also the chairman of the American Bible Society, which he considered his highest and most important role.
On July 4, 1821, President John Adams said, "The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of government with the principles of Christianity."
Calvin Coolidge, our 30th President, reaffirmed this truth when he wrote, "The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically in our country."
In 1782 Congress voted this resolution: "The Congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools."
William Holmes McGuffey, author of the McGuffey Reader used in our public schools until 1963, said: "The Christian religion is the religion of our country. From it are derived our notions on the character of God, on the great moral Governor of the universe. On its doctrines are founded the peculiarities of our free institutions. From no other source has the author drawn more conspicuously than from the sacred Scriptures. From these extracts from the Bible I make no apology."
Of the first 108 universities founded in America, 106 were distinctly Christian, including the first, Harvard University, chartered in 1636. In the original Harvard Student Handbook, rule No.1 was students seeking entrance must know Latin and Greek so they can study the Scriptures: "Let every student be plainly instructed and earnestly pressed to consider well, the main end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life, John 17:3; and therefore to lay Jesus Christ as the only foundation for our children to follow the moral principles of the Ten Commandments."
We ask God to bless America, especially as we remember the horrific tragedy of 9-11. But how can He bless a nation that has departed so far from Him?
Prior to Sept. 11, God wasn't truly welcome in America, was He?
Is He yet? Certainly that's arguable, with godless federal judges declaring the Ten Commandments inappropriate for public display after ruling our Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional because it mentions God.
It truly is a shame most of what you read in this message has been erased from public school textbooks by revisionists intend on removing the Truth about our nation's Christian roots. What is the Truth? Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth and the life."
Pass this along to others so the Truth of our nation's history will be told. Share this patriotic message with everyone you know so the Lord, who has faithfully and lovingly watched over our nation all these years, may touch hardened hearts and inspire closed minds to His Truth -- that America still is one nation under God!
Make your stand for the Truth by signing a petition challenging today's Congress to reign in rogue judges so our Constitution again is interpreted in keeping with our forefathers' intent. Here's where to stand up for America's Godly heritage: http://www.ChristianPetitions.com
Can America be Revived?
We have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us! It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness. - Abraham Lincoln
I believe as the West goes, so goes the world. And as America goes, so goes the West. And as the Church goes, so goes America. And as believers fast and pray, so goes the Church. - Adrian Rogers
The only thing that is going to stop the onslaught of God's judgment in America is a genuine revival in the Church. - Del Fehsenfeld Jr.
God does not judge a nation simply because of the wickedness of the ungodly. He judges a nation because of the sin and the disobedience of His own people. - Del Fehsenfeld Jr.
The problem with American Christianity is that we want to control God instead of letting God control us. - Del Fehsenfeld Jr.
There came a time when God withdrew His glory and departed, leaving Israel without hope against her enemies. If America's Christians do not repent of their sins, I fear that He will do the same to us. - Del Fehsenfeld Jr.
Before we can hope to see any significant change in American Christianity, we must have more true prophets of God willing to call us back to holiness--the only acceptable standard for serving God. We need men and women who are willing to let God have absolute authority in their lives. Only then will we be able to witness the powerful influence of lives totally dedicated to the kingdom of God and to the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ. - Del Fehsenfeld Jr.
We have grown so accustomed to the darkness that we have forgotten the light. - Del Fehsenfeld Jr.
I am often asked, 'What will it take for revival to come to America?' I believe that it will take a complete willingness on the part of God's people to bow the knee to Christ as Lord and to His Word as the absolute authority for our lives. When we do, in His timing and good pleasure, He will send revival to His church and through us, immeasurable blessing to the world. - Del Fehsenfeld Jr.
It is time to stop criticizing America and our leaders. It's time to sit down in the presence of God and each other, to repent and weep over our sins. - Dr. Paul Cedar
Only God knows what awaits an unrepentant America. I'm hopeful we will never find out! - Luis Palau
Ultimately, common, ordinary Americans have a choice to make. We can continue down the road that leads to ruin, or we can, by faith, take the high road that leads to spiritual revival and moral renewal. The choice is ours. - Sammy Tippit
There will never be a spiritual awakening and moral renewal in the nation until we have dealt with the root problem facing this generation...a selfish spirit...We must tear down the altars of self and return to the God of our forefathers if we are to undergo a national revival. - Sammy Tippit
If revival is to come to America, then we must lay the ax to the root of selfishness that has grown up in the nation...It must begin in the church. It must begin with you and me. - Sammy Tippit
America is only as good as its inhabitants. When ordinary citizens accept moral darkness as a way of life, the future of the nation is destined for days of depravity. However, when God's people awaken to the power of God's renewal, then hope begins to shatter the darkness. - Sammy Tippit
Revival must be personal before it can become national. - Sammy Tippit
The people of God in America are doing everything today except praying! We can plan programs, promote rallies, raise money, exalt personalities, play softball, swallow goldfish, and many other 'good things' with the best of the them, but we can't get the people of God to attend real prayer meetings. - Stephen Olford
We shall never see real revival in America until God's people get serious about their prayer life! - Stephen Olford
https://www.cwfpac.com
The following article was written for a previous election, but it is just as true for the upcoming one.
M I L L I O N V O T E S U P D A T E -
You'll never again doubt that Christian voters matter after reading this - 6/17/04
Christian voters decided the 2000 election. Christian voters will decide this year's election. And I can prove it, if you will take a few minutes to read this message.
Facts about Election 2000
In 2000, the voting age population of the United States was 203 million. According to the Barna Group, 41% of adults in 2000 were born-again Christians (see note below on how Barna identifies "born-again" individuals). But since Christian voters were more likely to vote than non-Christian voters (59% to 46%), nearly half of all votes were cast by Christian Americans.
According to Barna, in the 2000 presidential election there were slightly less than 50 million Christian voters, and slightly more than 55 million non-born-again voters. That means about 48% of voters in the presidential election were born-again.
Now, other than male-female, it is difficult to identify a demographic group in a national presidential election that represents 48% of all voters. Christian voters may be the single largest demographic!
Of those 50 million Christian voters, 57% voted for George W. Bush and 42% voted for Al Gore. So while Christian voters were not a clear-cut voting block for either candidate, there was a 15-point swing. Barna estimates that the 15% margin in Bush's favor represented about 7.1 million votes in an election that was decided by just hundreds of votes in Florida and thousands of votes in other states.
From this data we can conclude:
1. Christian voters provided the margin of victory for George W. Bush.
2. Christian voter turnout was higher than the national average. If Christian voters had voted at the same rate as non-Christian voters, there would have been about 11 million fewer Christian votes, a swing of about 1.6 million votes that Bush would have lost. And Bush would likely have lost the election.
Thus, Christian voters decided the 2000 election on two fronts: by the RATE at which they voted and by THE CHOICE they made.
+ + Reversal from 1996
In fact, it can be argued that Christian voters decided the 1996 election as well. Barna says Bob Dole only had a 6 point margin over Bill Clinton in 1996 Christian votes. If Dole had secured the same percentage of Christian voters in 1996 as Bush did in 2000, it would have given him about 4 million more votes and made the 1996 election as close as the 2000 election.
Again, Christian voters made the crucial difference.
Here are three critical things we have learned:
1. Christian voters will be the largest and most important demographic in the 2010 election and will likely represent between 45% and 50% of all voters.
2. Christian voters will decide the election by their TURNOUT.
3. Christian voters will decide the election by their CHOICE.
It's that simple.
+ + Can 1,000,000 Christian voters make a difference?
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
The CENTER FOR RECLAIMING AMERICA, now defunct, was established by Dr. D. James Kennedy, as an outreach of Coral Ridge Ministries to inform the American public and motivate Christians to defend and implement the biblical principles on which our country was founded. The CENTER provided non-partisan, non-denominational information, training, and support to all those interested in impacting the culture and renewing the vision set forth by our Founding Fathers.
Romans 13 calls every Christian to be a good citizen in the governmental system in which God sovereignly places them. For us, that is a democracy and in a democracy good citizens vote and are involved in the process. There are flaws and opportunities for corruption in democracies like there are in any and all other systems which involve sinful human beings. But God calls believers to act redemptively in the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit to be salt and light wherever they are and in whatever political or governmental system they live in (Matthew 5:13-16). Nowhere in scripture are Christians instructed to simply throw up their hands and give in to evil and darkness. We are called to go on the offensive and storm the gates of hell wherever we find them (Matthew 16:18). That is why I am encouraging you to be fervent in your prayers for our nation and its leadership and to get involved in some way to be salt and light.
One practical way to serve in this regard is to PRAY, that is our most basic and indeed, most powerful form of involvement (1 Timothy 2:1-8). We need to be in prayer for all governmental representatives. For some we need to pray that the conviction of the Spirit descends upon them to call them to repent. Others we need to pray that they will be encouraged and not give up. For all we should be praying that they bow their knees before the Father in humility and dependence.
As good citizens it is also important to KEEP INFORMED and be able to answer intelligently in the Spirit those who support candidates who are less than righteous and even evil in nature. Pray the Lord open the door to witness in such political conversation because the salvation of humanity is our top priority.
REMEMBER, THERE ARE NO PERFECT CANDIDATES! Candidates are human beings and human beings are not perfect. But there are candidates chosen by God (Daniel 2:20-22). There are candidates who are anti-Christ in nature (Psalm 94:20; Proverbs 14:34; 16:12; 1 John 2:18; 4:1-4). You can determine chosen candidates by holding them up to the standard of God's word and seeing which one best fits the mold of God's word. You must do this prayerfully because one of the characteristics of politics is deception and manipulation. Ask the Lord to reveal His truth to you and to help you discern who He would have you vote for. Ask God to expose falsehoods and lies and exalt the truth.
It should also be noted that candidates considered for our righteous support are not limited to the male gender. While the Bible does prohibit women serving in the church as pastors (1 Timothy 2:12-14), there is no such prohibition against a woman's eligibility in secular areas of service. So if you see a godly righteous woman candidate, give her all your support!
Lastly, we should GIVE monetarily to righteous groups and causes. The political process in our day and age is fueled by money. That is a political reality. Jesus spoke a great deal about finances and money. While the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10), money itself is not evil. The word "Money" occurs 148 times in the Bible; the word "give" 865 times. Money is an important topic in God's word and Jesus spoke a great deal about it (see Matthew 6). Our monetary income comes from the Lord and He wants us to use the money or finances He provides us in a righteous way according to His will (1 Samuel 2:7; Philippians 4:19; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; James 1:17). Money is a neutral entity that can be used for good or evil, to support good candidates or to support bad, evil or wrong candidates. Money exerts a powerful influence (Proverbs 22:7; 1 Timothy 6:17-19) and therefore we, as good stewards of God's provisions, should ask God to show us when and where He would have us exert money's influence for His glory.
If you can’t afford to give monetarily, see if there is some way you could serve in helping a righteous candidate or group. Some group resources you should consider looking into for further information are:
• American Family Association – http://action.afa.net/
• Family Research Council – www.frc.org
• Citizen Link - http://www.citizenlink.com/
• Newyorkers for Constitutional Freedoms - http://www.nycf.info/
Our ultimate goal is not merely the election or reelection of certain representatives, but the SPIRITUAL REVIVAL of our nation. The questions you should be asking are Which candidate best aligns with God's truth and will as revealed in His word? Which candidate would God prefer to lead a nation with Kingdom values? Which candidate would God have me support? God bless you all and prayerfully be salt and light.
Citizenship and the Coming of Christ
"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake.6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing.7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. 8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." - Romans 13:1-14
Romans 13 is in the practical or application section of the book of Romans (i.e. Romans 12-16). In Romans 12 Paul exhorts us to present ourselves to God as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God because that is the only reasonable response to all God in His grace has done for us (see Romans 1-11). Romans 12 goes on to describe how the Christian is to live in church body settings. In Romans 13 and following we are instructed on how to live in society or the world.
The times we are living in are filled with tension, uncertainty, danger and darkness. How should a Christian respond and live in such times. The following is a brief synopsis of what it means to be a good Christian citizen in times such as these.
1. Respect your government understanding that God has allowed it to be established - 13:1. Pray for your government officials - 1 Timothy 2:1-8.
2. If you resist government understand you may be resisting God's ordained authority - 13:2; Daniel 4:17. Remember, Paul wrote this under Roman rule! But also understand that the Christian's priority is to God over men - Acts 5:29; Daniel 3:16-18; 6:10ff.
3. Government is designed by God to resist evil - 13:3-4.
4. Let God guide your conscience toward government - 13:5.
5. The purpose of government is to minister or serve - 13:6.
6. It is God's will that we pay taxes to financially support government - 13:6-7.
7. Christian citizens are to act in love - 13:8-10; Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 13.
8. Christians are to live as good citizens in an awareness of the return of Jesus - 13:11-14.
a. A good Christian citizen is awake spiritually and alert to the prophetic times in which they live - 13:11.
b. A good Christian citizen works to "cast off the works of darkness" -13:12a.
c. A good Christian citizen puts on the armor of light, shines the light of God's truth against the darkness around them - 13:12b.
d. A good Christian citizen walks properly, under the control of the Spirit, not in the drunken lewdness, strife and envy of the world - 13:13
e. A good Christian citizen puts on Jesus, walks in the Spirit and does not live in their flesh or own strength and understanding - 13:14.
Let’s pray that we and our fellow Christians are good citizens as we watch for the return of our Savior Jesus Christ. Let’s join together and prayerfully seek the Lord's help and leading to be a good citizen and ambassador of Jesus Christ in the country and political system He sovereignly chose to place us.
Did You Know?
DID YOU KNOW?
As you walk up the steps to the building which houses the U.S. Supreme Court you can see near the top of the building a row of the world's law givers and each one is facing one in the middle who is facing forward with a full frontal view ... it is Moses and he is holding the Ten Commandments!
DID YOU KNOW?
As you enter the Supreme Court courtroom, the two huge oak doors have the Ten Commandments engraved on each lower portion of each door.
DID YOU KNOW?
As you sit inside the courtroom, you can see the wall, right above where the Supreme Court judges sit, a display of the Ten Commandments!
DID YOU KNOW?
There are Bible verses etched in stone all over the Federal Buildings and Monuments in Washington, D.C.
DID YOU KNOW?
James Madison, the fourth president, known as "The Father of Our Constitution" made the following statement: "We have staked the whole of all our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."
DID YOU KNOW?
Patrick Henry, that patriot and Founding Father of our country said: "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians, not on religions but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ".
DID YOU KNOW?
Every session of Congress begins with a prayer by a paid preacher, whose salary has been paid by the taxpayer since 1777.
DID YOU KNOW?
Fifty-two of the 55 founders of the Constitution were members of the established orthodox churches in the colonies.
DID YOU KNOW?
Thomas Jefferson worried that the Courts would overstep their authority and instead of interpreting the law would begin making law ... an oligarchy ... the rule of few over many.
DID YOU KNOW?
The very first Supreme Court Justice, John Jay, said: "Americans should select and prefer Christians as their rulers." How, then, have we gotten to the point that everything we have done for 220 years in this country is now suddenly wrong and unconstitutional?
Did you also know that 52 of the 55 signers of the Declaration of Independence were orthodox, deeply committed Christians? The other three believed in the Bible as the divine truth, in the God of Scripture, in His personal intervention.
Immediately after creating the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Congress voted to purchase and import 20,000 copies of the Scripture for the people of this nation.
Patrick Henry is still remembered for his words, "Give me liberty or give me death." But in current textbooks the context of these words are deleted. Here is what he actually said:
"An appeal to arms and the God of hosts is all that is left us. But we shall not fight our battle alone. There is a just God that presides over the destinies of nations. The battle sir, is not to the strong alone, is life so dear and peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death."
These sentences have been erased from our textbooks. The following year, 1776, Henry wrote this: "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded the freedom of worship here."
Consider these words Thomas Jefferson wrote in the front of his well worn Bible: "I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus. I have little doubt that our whole country will soon be rallied to the unity of our Creator." Jefferson was also the chairman of the American Bible Society, which he considered his highest and most important role.
On July 4, 1821, President John Adams said, "The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of government with the principles of Christianity."
Calvin Coolidge, our 30th President, reaffirmed this truth when he wrote, "The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically in our country."
In 1782 Congress voted this resolution: "The Congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools."
William Holmes McGuffey, author of the McGuffey Reader used in our public schools until 1963, said: "The Christian religion is the religion of our country. From it are derived our notions on the character of God, on the great moral Governor of the universe. On its doctrines are founded the peculiarities of our free institutions. From no other source has the author drawn more conspicuously than from the sacred Scriptures. From these extracts from the Bible I make no apology."
Of the first 108 universities founded in America, 106 were distinctly Christian, including the first, Harvard University, chartered in 1636. In the original Harvard Student Handbook, rule No.1 was students seeking entrance must know Latin and Greek so they can study the Scriptures: "Let every student be plainly instructed and earnestly pressed to consider well, the main end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life, John 17:3; and therefore to lay Jesus Christ as the only foundation for our children to follow the moral principles of the Ten Commandments."
We ask God to bless America, especially as we remember the horrific tragedy of 9-11. But how can He bless a nation that has departed so far from Him?
Prior to Sept. 11, God wasn't truly welcome in America, was He?
Is He yet? Certainly that's arguable, with godless federal judges declaring the Ten Commandments inappropriate for public display after ruling our Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional because it mentions God.
It truly is a shame most of what you read in this message has been erased from public school textbooks by revisionists intend on removing the Truth about our nation's Christian roots. What is the Truth? Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth and the life."
Pass this along to others so the Truth of our nation's history will be told. Share this patriotic message with everyone you know so the Lord, who has faithfully and lovingly watched over our nation all these years, may touch hardened hearts and inspire closed minds to His Truth -- that America still is one nation under God!
Make your stand for the Truth by signing a petition challenging today's Congress to reign in rogue judges so our Constitution again is interpreted in keeping with our forefathers' intent. Here's where to stand up for America's Godly heritage: http://www.ChristianPetitions.com
Can America be Revived?
We have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us! It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness. - Abraham Lincoln
I believe as the West goes, so goes the world. And as America goes, so goes the West. And as the Church goes, so goes America. And as believers fast and pray, so goes the Church. - Adrian Rogers
The only thing that is going to stop the onslaught of God's judgment in America is a genuine revival in the Church. - Del Fehsenfeld Jr.
God does not judge a nation simply because of the wickedness of the ungodly. He judges a nation because of the sin and the disobedience of His own people. - Del Fehsenfeld Jr.
The problem with American Christianity is that we want to control God instead of letting God control us. - Del Fehsenfeld Jr.
There came a time when God withdrew His glory and departed, leaving Israel without hope against her enemies. If America's Christians do not repent of their sins, I fear that He will do the same to us. - Del Fehsenfeld Jr.
Before we can hope to see any significant change in American Christianity, we must have more true prophets of God willing to call us back to holiness--the only acceptable standard for serving God. We need men and women who are willing to let God have absolute authority in their lives. Only then will we be able to witness the powerful influence of lives totally dedicated to the kingdom of God and to the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ. - Del Fehsenfeld Jr.
We have grown so accustomed to the darkness that we have forgotten the light. - Del Fehsenfeld Jr.
I am often asked, 'What will it take for revival to come to America?' I believe that it will take a complete willingness on the part of God's people to bow the knee to Christ as Lord and to His Word as the absolute authority for our lives. When we do, in His timing and good pleasure, He will send revival to His church and through us, immeasurable blessing to the world. - Del Fehsenfeld Jr.
It is time to stop criticizing America and our leaders. It's time to sit down in the presence of God and each other, to repent and weep over our sins. - Dr. Paul Cedar
Only God knows what awaits an unrepentant America. I'm hopeful we will never find out! - Luis Palau
Ultimately, common, ordinary Americans have a choice to make. We can continue down the road that leads to ruin, or we can, by faith, take the high road that leads to spiritual revival and moral renewal. The choice is ours. - Sammy Tippit
There will never be a spiritual awakening and moral renewal in the nation until we have dealt with the root problem facing this generation...a selfish spirit...We must tear down the altars of self and return to the God of our forefathers if we are to undergo a national revival. - Sammy Tippit
If revival is to come to America, then we must lay the ax to the root of selfishness that has grown up in the nation...It must begin in the church. It must begin with you and me. - Sammy Tippit
America is only as good as its inhabitants. When ordinary citizens accept moral darkness as a way of life, the future of the nation is destined for days of depravity. However, when God's people awaken to the power of God's renewal, then hope begins to shatter the darkness. - Sammy Tippit
Revival must be personal before it can become national. - Sammy Tippit
The people of God in America are doing everything today except praying! We can plan programs, promote rallies, raise money, exalt personalities, play softball, swallow goldfish, and many other 'good things' with the best of the them, but we can't get the people of God to attend real prayer meetings. - Stephen Olford
We shall never see real revival in America until God's people get serious about their prayer life! - Stephen Olford
https://www.cwfpac.com
The following article was written for a previous election, but it is just as true for the upcoming one.
M I L L I O N V O T E S U P D A T E -
You'll never again doubt that Christian voters matter after reading this - 6/17/04
Christian voters decided the 2000 election. Christian voters will decide this year's election. And I can prove it, if you will take a few minutes to read this message.
Facts about Election 2000
In 2000, the voting age population of the United States was 203 million. According to the Barna Group, 41% of adults in 2000 were born-again Christians (see note below on how Barna identifies "born-again" individuals). But since Christian voters were more likely to vote than non-Christian voters (59% to 46%), nearly half of all votes were cast by Christian Americans.
According to Barna, in the 2000 presidential election there were slightly less than 50 million Christian voters, and slightly more than 55 million non-born-again voters. That means about 48% of voters in the presidential election were born-again.
Now, other than male-female, it is difficult to identify a demographic group in a national presidential election that represents 48% of all voters. Christian voters may be the single largest demographic!
Of those 50 million Christian voters, 57% voted for George W. Bush and 42% voted for Al Gore. So while Christian voters were not a clear-cut voting block for either candidate, there was a 15-point swing. Barna estimates that the 15% margin in Bush's favor represented about 7.1 million votes in an election that was decided by just hundreds of votes in Florida and thousands of votes in other states.
From this data we can conclude:
1. Christian voters provided the margin of victory for George W. Bush.
2. Christian voter turnout was higher than the national average. If Christian voters had voted at the same rate as non-Christian voters, there would have been about 11 million fewer Christian votes, a swing of about 1.6 million votes that Bush would have lost. And Bush would likely have lost the election.
Thus, Christian voters decided the 2000 election on two fronts: by the RATE at which they voted and by THE CHOICE they made.
+ + Reversal from 1996
In fact, it can be argued that Christian voters decided the 1996 election as well. Barna says Bob Dole only had a 6 point margin over Bill Clinton in 1996 Christian votes. If Dole had secured the same percentage of Christian voters in 1996 as Bush did in 2000, it would have given him about 4 million more votes and made the 1996 election as close as the 2000 election.
Again, Christian voters made the crucial difference.
Here are three critical things we have learned:
1. Christian voters will be the largest and most important demographic in the 2010 election and will likely represent between 45% and 50% of all voters.
2. Christian voters will decide the election by their TURNOUT.
3. Christian voters will decide the election by their CHOICE.
It's that simple.
+ + Can 1,000,000 Christian voters make a difference?
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
The CENTER FOR RECLAIMING AMERICA, now defunct, was established by Dr. D. James Kennedy, as an outreach of Coral Ridge Ministries to inform the American public and motivate Christians to defend and implement the biblical principles on which our country was founded. The CENTER provided non-partisan, non-denominational information, training, and support to all those interested in impacting the culture and renewing the vision set forth by our Founding Fathers.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Jesus Will Help You Keep It Together
Feel like you’re falling apart? Feel as though things are out of control? Watch this video. Jesus is watching. He’s watching over you. He knows what’s going on in your life. He will work things out. He will help you hold it together. Just trust Him. Go to Him in prayer. Go to Him prayerfully, with Bible open, and listen to Him speak to you. He’ll help you hold it together. Watch this video from Louie Giglio about laminin and its significance. Be encouraged. God bless.
If you need encouraging or have a question contact Pastor Claude at shepherdofhope@optonline.net.
Pray. Get into God’s word. Follow the leading of the Spirit through faith in Christ.
If you need encouraging or have a question contact Pastor Claude at shepherdofhope@optonline.net.
Pray. Get into God’s word. Follow the leading of the Spirit through faith in Christ.
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