It is no wonder that the church today is lacking a backbone of courage and resolve…

There are verses regarding ruling authorities that are neglected and floated out there on their own without proper context.

These verses are typically taught from the pulpit with much zeal but they are typically presented with a lack of complete and proper context.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. [2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Romans 13:1-2

Typically the teaching goes along the lines of the requirement to submit to authority whether good or bad.

The following verses are typically not included but when they are then they are not offered as contextual clarification but instead just read but not explained. This is essentially, what I call, the glossing over and neglect of verses 3 and 4 while verses 1 and 2 are floated out there in their own and out of context.

These verses give a clear definition of the rulers as mentioned in the previous 2 verses. These define what kind of rulers God specifically ordains.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: [4] For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Romans 13:3-4

To understand what rulers are being referred to in verses 1 and 2 you have to get their qualification from verses 3 and 4.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.

And

he is the minister of God to thee for good...and...he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Here are but a few examples of terrors unto good works that we see happening today: legalizing abortions (in 1970 five Republican appointed Supreme Court Judges led the majority in passing Roe V Wade which declared killing babies the Constitutional right of women), taxes used to pay for abortions, wars to protect monetary assets but sold as protection of freedom instead, secularizing (kicking God out) the government, the schools, the national parks, etc, etc. Also to be included here is the monetary bondage that was put into law in 1913 and has been supported and protected ever since by the government here in the US.

For those who are not aware the Federal Reserve act was passed by Congress and ratified by the President in 1913. This put the complete control of the US economy into the hands of a select group of private banks who quickly diverted the monetary standard completely away from any real value (gold standard). This move created a fully fiat economy which means that the underlying currency is now completely 100% debt driven. This is what the Bible calls usury and it is not at all approved of by God. It puts the people under economic bondage to men. People tend to remain ignorant on this point typically due to lack of "proving all things". They simply prefer to being comfortably numb and staying on the path of least resistance (towards economic hell) which suits them just fine. With all that said, forcing debt on the people is not God's way and it is definitely a terror unto good works...

Here is a good example of when not obeying the rulers is appropriate in God’s eyes. In this case there are the religious rulers who at that time were given a certain degree of jurisdiction regarding ruling the people by the Roman government, especially in the realm of religious affairs. They commanded that the apostles not speak in the name of Jesus but instead of obeying that direct order they continued to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

… and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Acts 5:40-42

With so much watering down of this and many other scriptural teachings and commandments in the Bible it is no wonder that the church today is lacking the backbone of courage and resolve it once had as demonstrated by these apostles some two thousand years ago. They bravely continued on in what they were commanded by God to do instead of bending to man’s will.

False Dilemma and word games…

Election, comes from the Latin Electio which also means “choice” in English.

I find it amazing that people actually believe that when they elect someone they are not approving of the person specifically.

As if choosing that person meant something completely different somehow.

They believe that their vote is not an acknowledgement that they agree with the person’s character that they are choosing but instead they perceive it is a decision stating that they do not like the other choice. This is typically because that person falsely believes in the logical fallacy that in any election there is only two choices.

“Vote”, as per Strong’s, comes from the Latin Voveo which also means “vow” in English.  “Vow”, as per Webster’s 1828, means “a solemn promise made to God, or by a pagan to his deity. The Roman generals when they went to war, sometimes made a vow that they would build a temple to some favorite deity, if he would give them victory. A vow is a promise of something to be given or done hereafter. A person is constituted as religious by taking three vows, of chastity, of poverty, and of obedience. Among the Israelites, the vows of children were not binding, unless ratified by the express or tacit consent of their father. Numbers 30:2. A vow is a solemn promise; as the vows of unchangeable love and fidelity. In a moral and religious sense, vows are promises to God, as they appeal to God to witness their sincerity, and the violation of them is a most heinous offense.”

So the etymology of “Vote” is strongly rooted in a very serious commitment essentially made before God or with God.

Then there is yet another problem with words.

I have been accused of being “fearful” of Donald Trump. I was even encouraged to check out a Face Book Page called ‘FaithTrumpsFear’. This invite was based on the assumption that I was fearful and not having faith. This is interestingly ironic in that those who typically accuse me of being fearful are actually fearful themselves, of Hillary. In fact I have been told by many people that they were afraid of Hillary and what she can do to us. Some say that they are more afraid of Hillary than Donald so they choose to embrace the non-Christian concept of choosing between the lesser of two evils.  No doubt Hillary is evil but a Christian should not be afraid of anyone other than God.

People are confused in their thinking and are wrongly defining Trump or supporting Trump as being a matter of faith. As noted above they are not doing so in faith but they are truly being motivated by fear which they illogically accuse folks like me who point out the factual inconsistencies in this man and his ungodly character. We are In fact told to wary of men such as him, of wolves in sheep’s clothing. Even with a lifetime history of back and forth public statements regarding his shaky ideology people still want to insist that this man is going to be their savior. That somehow he is going to save this country. We do not need a vulgar, unregenerate man or woman to be the ones we choose.

The false dilemma involved here is called a false dichotomy. It is the deceptive notion that we only have two choices. We do indeed have a third choice in this case and that is silence. When we abstain from choosing amongst the ungodly we are in essence choosing God.

Notice below the three choices that Joshua gave the people? These were, the gods their father served, the gods of the Amorites or the Lord…We have essentially the same choices.

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15

Here are some scriptures that speak clearly about fear and how we ought to conduct ourselves regarding fear…this is just so we can get this straight…

And his disciples came to him , and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. [26] And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. [27] But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! Matthew 8:25-27 KJV

Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. [27] What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. [28] And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. [29] Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. [30] But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. [31] Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:26-31 KJV

And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. [5] But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. Luke 12:4-5 KJV

Do not fear but instead seek Jesus:

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. [3] His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: [4] And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men . [5] And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. [6] He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. [7] And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. Matthew 28:2-7 KJV

Don’t fear, instead seek after God’s Kingdom:

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [28] If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? [29] And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. [30] For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. [31] But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. [32] Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. [33] Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. [34] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Luke 12:27-34 KJV

We need to stop being fearful…

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Romans 8:15 KJV

While men conspire evil while God makes it good… Conspiracy is the norm, not the exception.

The Conspiracy of the ages has one agenda and that is to enslave and kill mankind but God has used it for eternal good!

God has purposed to use man’s conspiratorial evil nature to bring about the one ultimate conspiracy that would result in the salvation of those men who actually conspired to kill God Himself.

Here are but a few scriptures along with a few quotes from somewhat famous politicians and historians that highlight the reality that conspiracy is definitely the norm and not the exception…

Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do; but they did them not. And the LORD said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers. Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them. Jeremiah 11:8-11 – Penned by Jeremiah, inspired by God.

”It was not my intention to doubt that, the Doctrines of the Illuminati, and principles of Jacobinism had not spread in the United States. On the contrary, no one is more truly satisfied of this fact than I am.” – George Washington (First President of the US)

“Since I entered politics, I have chiefly had men’s views confided to me privately. Some of the biggest men in the United States, in the field of commerce and manufacture, are afraid of somebody, are afraid of something. They know that there is a power somewhere so organized, so subtle, so watchful, so interlocked, so complete, so pervasive, that they had better not speak above their breath when they speak in condemnation of it.”  - Woodrow Wilson (Former President of the US)

“The very word “secrecy” is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths and to secret proceedings. We decided long ago that the dangers of excessive and unwarranted concealment of pertinent facts far outweighed the dangers which are cited to justify it. Even today, there is little value in opposing the threat of a closed society by imitating its arbitrary restrictions. Even today, there is little value in insuring the survival of our nation if our traditions do not survive with it. And there is very grave danger that an announced need for increased security will be seized upon by those anxious to expand its meaning to the very limits of official censorship and concealment. That I do not intend to permit to the extent that it is in my control. … For we are opposed around the world by a monolithic and ruthless conspiracy that relies primarily on covert means for expanding its sphere of influence–on infiltration instead of invasion, on subversion instead of elections, on intimidation instead of free choice, on guerrillas by night instead of armies by day. It is a system which has conscripted vast human and material resources into the building of a tightly knit, highly efficient machine that combines military, diplomatic, intelligence, economic, scientific and political operations. Its preparations are concealed, not published. Its mistakes are buried, not headlined. Its dissenters are silenced, not praised. No expenditure is questioned, no rumor is printed, no secret is revealed.” - John F. Kennedy (Former President of the US)

“A power has risen up in the government greater than the people themselves, consisting of many, and various, and powerful interests, combined into one mass, and held together by the cohesive power of the vast surplus in the banks.” - John C. Calhoun (7th Vice President of The United States)

“The real menace of our Republic is the invisible government, which like a giant octopus sprawls its slimy legs over our cities, states and nation … The little coterie of powerful international bankers virtually run the United States government for their own selfish purposes. They practically control both parties … [and] control the majority of the newspapers and magazines in this country. They use the columns of these papers to club into submission or drive out of office public officials who refuse to do the bidding of the powerful corrupt cliques which compose the invisible government. It operates under cover of a self-created screen [and] seizes our executive officers, legislative bodies, schools, courts, newspapers and every agency created for the public protection.” - John F. Hylan (former mayor of New York)

“Today the path to total dictatorship in the U.S. can be laid by strictly legal means … We have a well-organized political-action group in this country, determined to destroy our Constitution and establish a one-party state … It operates secretly, silently, continuously to transform our Government … This ruthless power-seeking elite is a disease of our century… This group … is answerable neither to the President, the Congress, nor the courts. It is practically irremovable.” William Jenner (Former US Senator)

There exists a shadowy government with its own Air Force, its own Navy, its own fundraising mechanism, and the ability to pursue its own ideas of the national interest, free from all checks and balances, and free from the law itself. Daniel K. Inouye (former US Senator)

“In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists, and will persist. … Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful message and goals.” - Dwight Eisenhower (Former President of the US)

“Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people.” - Theodore Roosevelt (Former President of the US)

“We must choose between two paths. Either we conclude that Americans have lost control over their government or we reject this information as a mere distortion of history. In the first case we become advocates of the conspiratorial view of history in the later we endorse the accidental view. It is a difficult choice. The reason it is difficult is that we have been conditioned to laugh at conspiracy theories, and few people will risk public ridicule by advocating them. On the other hand, to endorse the accidental view is absurd. Almost all of history is an unbroken trail of one conspiracy after another. Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception.” – G. Edward Griffin

Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
4   And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
…
When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
2   And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
3   Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
4   Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
5   And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
6   And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
7   And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
8   Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
9   Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
10   And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.
11   And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.
12   And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
13   Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
14   And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
15   Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
16   And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
17   Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
18   For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
19   When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
20   But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
21   The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
22   Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
23   And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
24   When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
25   Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
26   Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
27   Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
28   And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
29   And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
30   And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
31   And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
32   And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
33   And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,
34   They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
35   And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
36   And sitting down they watched him there;
37   And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Matthew 26: 3-4, 27:1-37 – Penned by Matthew (Disciple of God made flesh, Jesus Christ), inspired by God.

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Genesis 50:20 – Penned by Moses, inspired by God.

The US needs more Jeremiahs, Pauls and John the Baptists yelling for folks to wake up but they continue to slumber...these days are indeed evil...

The US has her Jeremiahs but no one is really listening to them.

The US has her Pauls also, but they scoff at them.

The US has her John the Baptists as well but these will loose their heads likely, either figuratively or literally, as John did...

We need more...

No one wants to hear the hard truths...

For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water...
28   But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.
30   In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.
31   O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee?
32   Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.
33   Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways.
34   Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.
35   Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.
36   Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.
37   Yea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thine head: for the LORD hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them. Jeremiah 2:28-37

...the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
3   And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
4   As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
5   Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;
6   And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
7   Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8   Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
9   And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Luke 3:2-9

Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
15   See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16   Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

These days are indeed evil.

What can we do in these dark times? God gave us specific orders to carry out...

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 

Put on the whole armour of God, 

that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, 

but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, 

against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, 

that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

Stand therefore, 

having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 

Above all, taking the shield of faith, 

wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 

And take the helmet of salvation, 

and the sword of the Spirit, 

which is the word of God: 

Praying always 

with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, 

and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 

And for me, 

that utterance may be given unto me, 

that I may open my mouth boldly, 

to make known the mystery of the gospel, 

For which I am an ambassador in bonds: 

that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 

Ephesians 6:10-20

My cry out to this country and my prayer to the one true living God...

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, 

know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? 

whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world 
is the enemy of God. 

James 4:4

I tell you, Nay: 

but, except ye repent, 

ye shall all likewise perish. 

Luke 13:3 

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: 

but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. 

They are brought down and fallen: 

but we are risen, and stand upright. 

Save, Lord: 

let the king hear us when we call. Psalm 20:7-9 

A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing is no less a wolf than a wolf in wolf's clothing but somehow people think otherwise...

It is amazing how blind people are to the evils of our two party political system.

It gives the illusion that there is a lesser of two evils.

What we have is a wolf in wolf's clothing in Hillary and a wolf in sheep's clothing in Trump.

Both are wolves so don't let yourself be fooled otherwise...

The time is drawing near when believers will get to embrace God's judgement but for now its to our knees to pray!

Without God you can't prove anything at all...

"The laws of logic can not be avoided, the laws of logic can not be accounted for in a Materialist universe. Therefore, the laws of logic are one of the many evidences that without God you can't prove anything at all." - Dr. Greg Bahnsen

Liberty for Freedom???

"Oh, I don't know, thats a lot of times to shoot him"..."I think people should give up their liberty for freedom"

Sadly enough but many Americans think along same illogical lines that this woman does.

Many tend to think that we ought to give up liberty for freedom without realizing that both of these are the same in meaning.

http://www.thesaurus.com/browse/freedom

We live in fear so we give up our rights without much of a fight at all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nb-HIHyMkk

Stop it with your two party mentality and start thinking biblically and logically folks...

So you say that the Republicans in this two party system will fix our sin problems?

Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is insanity.

This mindless and repetitive round peg in the square hole mentality is insanity.

We need to pray for repentance and turn to God folks...

This is not an endorsement for the Democrat Party so stop it with your two party mentality and start thinking biblically and logically folks.

The system is corrupt and has been for a very long time and we need a serious spiritual overhaul.

Stop believing the lies!

Many folks today are claiming that voting for the Republican candidate is vital in order to protect the sanctity of life.

People believe that voting for Trump is the only way we can over turn Roe v Wade. They say that the most important issue at stake in the coming election is the pending Supreme Court nominations.

People seem to not recall history so well. Because if they did then they would have to rethink their argument...

The Supreme Court decided to legalize the murder of unborn babies by saying it was the Constitutional right of women to have "abortions" by a vote of 7 to 2 back in 1970.

Herein lies the historic slap in the face that proves that the two party system is a deceptive lie. Herein is the reality that the logic of the Trump supporters is without any historical proof or support.

These were the Justices who were in the majority on the decision to legalize murder via Ror v Wade:

Harry Blackmun (Wrote the Supreme Court’s final Majority opinion. He was appointed by Republican President Richard Nixon),
Warren E. Burger (appointed by Republican President Richard Nixon), Lewis Powell (appointed by Republican President Richard Nixon),
William J. Brennan (appointed by Republican President Dwight Eisenhower),
Potter Stewart (appointed by Republican President Dwight Eisenhower),
William O. Douglas (appointed by Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt),
Thurgood Marshall (appointed by Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson)

Five of the 7, in the majority, were appointed by Republican presidents. Even if the two Justces in the majority who we're appointed by Democrats had actually voted against the decision then Roe v Wade would have still passed with a Republican appointed majority.

There have also been other sitting Supreme Courts since Roe v Wade that had the majority of the justices who were appointed by Republican presidents. None of these overturned Roe v Wade so there is no historical proof that supports that voting for Trump will make any difference. To argue otherwise would be not true.

Christians, the hope for this country's future does not lie in the two party system. Millions of babies have been murdered because we have bought into the lies of Satan and evil men.

It is not until we stop believing that man can fix this and as a country truly repent for our selfishly murderous actions and turn to serving God through Jesus Christ His only begotten Son that we will actually see things really turn towards any real protection of the sanctity of life.

God's blessing will not be on this country at all until we repent and turn to Him.

Trump gave a weak answer on abortion when he had the chance to provide a strong positional stance...

In the latest Presidential debate Trump gave a weak and empty answer when he had the opportunity to give a strong substantive reply back.

He gave his supposed opinion but he gave no substantial answer as to the essential underlying reasons.

If he was so passionate about this then a more qualified answer would have been provided such as the regard for the life of the baby and that US law has already determined the baby was a human life and because of that the murder of a pregnant woman can be charged as a double homicide. There are many other reasons why such as God has provided life and it is not in our jurisdiction to decide who gets to live and who gets to die. That of course is the most important reason but it will not be said by this man as he does truly believe in or does he obey the one true Creator God.

Sad but his heart and mind were not engaged on this answer but only on a very superficial level. Early on in his answer he pushes the responsibility off to others such as the courts and the states. This has been the course we have followed up until now including during other Republican Administrations and the rights of the baby are now weaker than ever. They do not improve they only weaken over every administration. Unless Presidents, Congressmen and Senators take very strong and personal stands on this issue we will not see it turn around. Trump has not provided us any assurance that he has this sort of conviction other than empty rhetoric.

Hillary is dead wrong regarding her position on so-called Pro-Choice but she gave a much more detailed and passionate answer than Trump did. The details and passion that she provided does not equate to a more correct position but it did highlight Trump's lack of passion on the issue.


Third Presidential Debate Highlights | Trump, Clinton on Abortion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfdRmnT0Weo

This is a great discussion about the errors of textual criticism

Which Bible Are YOU Looking For?

https://youtu.be/LyGNWPAAuaQ

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ..

I was told that I was in error because "Evil leaders are elected when good people don't vote"...

This is yet another page out of the the two party playbook.

Yes, when there is a right action that ought to be taken then to not do so then per the Bible I would be sinning. But in this case, I do have a choice but it is not approved within the two party system. It is however approved by God's Word. In fact I have many choices and I am choosing them all...

As a Christian I can pray, preach, reprove, rebuke, admonish, edify, encourage, speak the truth, etc, etc. I can be and I am ready in season and out of season... I can be and I am  always ready to give an answer... I do not conform unto this world but instead I am transformed by the renewing of my mind.

I do not give into this world's philosophies but instead I follow and obey Jesus Christ!

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Colossians 2:8

They keep telling me it is ok as a Christian to approve (aka: vote for) of the lesser of the two evils…I am still waiting for someone to provide a coherent argument from scripture on this issue...

While worldly philosophy provides many analogies, the Bible has clear direction to the contrary.

Abstaining from all appearance of evil is what we are told directly to do as well as having no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather we ought to reprove them...

While we can dream up analogies all day long that seem to make sense towards our self-preservation we have specific instructions to follow as believers in this world. And yes, sometimes our flesh wars against these instructions but God has a sufficiently moral reason within His economy to direct us as such.

I find it sad that believers are scrambling to say we must vote to keep the greater evil at bay when it is well within the Constitution's parameters that my silence on these two evils is an existing right of everyone.  This is based on the Constitution's acknowledgement of our right to free speech.

The Constitution has affirmed our right of freedom of speech and this includes when we are silent.

We see this demonstrated with our economic silence when we boycott evil institutions yet somehow people illogically take the contrary position when it comes to politics.

Let me tell you this, the two party thanks you when you do insist on everyone voting for the lesser of two evils.

The end result is always a drawing nearer to the clutches of complete secularism and socialism and further away from God. If you disagree then demonstrate to me under what so-called conservative administration or Congress did we draw further away from secularism and socialism and closer to God?

Someone posted the following on a FB thread that I was essentially posting the above coments on...the links that were offered to support the "we must choose the lesser of evils" argument were https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htu8U79GknI and  http://calabashconservative.us/editorials/the-lesser-of-two-evils/ and

He said:

"Never mind the ways in which the analogy brutally fails... based on the logic here, we should promote Theistic Evolution as much as possible in order to combat Naturalistic Evolution. After all, it's the lesser of two evils and it has far more ground in academic circles than Biblical Creationism does, right? So, let's all pack up our values and pinch our noses and ignore what the Bible teaches and promote Theistic Evolution. While we're at it, we can use the same logic to pretend as though Christians should help a sexual predator gain power in America." He provided this link:  

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/why-are-so-many-evangelicals-condoning-sexual-assault

Neither candidate deserves the vote of logically and Biblically thinking Christians…

To vote for either is your stamp of approval on them.

It is your Constitutionally affirmed right of free speech to say nothing.

Silence is in and of itself a sign of free speech as recognized already by the highest court of the land.

To say you have to vote for one or the other is a strong arm tactic that attempts to take away your right to speak or not to speak.

We support this concept in letting our economic silence speak towards our disapproving of ungodly businesses through boycotts and then somehow do not logically carry that same right of free speech over into the realm of politics.

Shame on all of you illogical Christians for trying to force me to go against my conscience by your strong arm tactics as you try to coerce me in to not letting me exercise my right of free speech!

And you call yourself a Christian and a Patriot. Oh the irony is so sad...

In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way...

Interesting also that Trump was the favorite by the same media outlets that are trashing him now.

During the Republican primary the media propped Trump up over Cruz while the polls all showed at that time that Trump would lose in a head to head with Clinton while Cruz was favored to beat her pretty easily.

Coincidence, I think not...

The power of the media is very strong and the people certainly are really just sheeple. Sad

I have been saying all along that it seems interesting that the last time a Clinton was handed to us a Billionaire was running for president and here we are again. Sad that this billionaire is not as level headed as Perot was.

In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way. - Franklin D. Roosevelt

Which Do You Prefer, Dusk or Dawn? - Steve Maxwell

This was posted on October 19, 2016 by Steve Maxwell.
See: http://articles.titus2.com/which-do-you-prefer-dusk-or-dawn/

It’s easy to tell dark from light, but impossible to tell dusk from dawn by one snapshot in time. It is easy to tell by the decisions people make whether they are living in the dark or in the light. We have known many families whose lives were an example of walking in the light and many whose lives were examples of walking in the dark.

It is difficult to discern whether a family is walking in the dusk or in the dawn. If you took a photo of a family in either, unless you could tell by the direction of their shadows, you wouldn’t know whether it was dusk or dawn. You would know only by comparing snapshots over time. In a similar way, it takes observing a family’s decisions to predict whether they are walking from the light toward darkness or walking toward the light from darkness.

Dawn is good in our spiritual journey as we walk ever closer to our Lord and His light and away from darkness. As the Lord Jesus reveals more of His Light, we purge the darkness of evil as we draw near to Him.

Sadly, over the years we have observed families become more worldly as they head for the darkness. They are in dusk, gradually moving from the light to the dark, with ever increasing, even if slight, degrees of worldliness.

Which way are you leading your family? Each choice that we make is like a snapshot that records the direction of our movement. Take inventory in these areas as they indicate the condition and direction of our hearts: clothing, music, viewing habits, entertainment, and friends. “But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:13-16)

Steve

Professing Christians are demanding their choice in leader much like Israel did...

Israel demanded a King and God gave them what they asked for.

It was not God's plan to let Israel be like all the other peoples. He was to be their leader but He let them have their way and allowed them to have their own king instead of Him. They ended up with Saul who turned out to be not exactly what they had hoped for.

God does allow us to have it our way and then, just like Israel, we will be going back to Him begging for Him to fix it.

I think God is allowing things to wind up for the big showdown.

I feel it is immanent.

...Even so, come, Lord Jesus...(Rev 22:20)

Some are assuming that God has chosen the man some want to vote for...this is not logically nor biblically accurate...

I do not at all agree with the article below but it does give light why some “Christians” are compromising on this and other election cycles in the past. 

There is a large disconnect with the Bible in the assumptions and conclusions made in the article. It attempts to justify a Christian in choosing evil but the Bible is clear that God allows evil to occur and many times it is due to our poor choices. 

The article tries to give justification to Christians in voting for evil even though it goes directly against the specific commands the Bible gives us to follow in regards to abstaining from all appearances of evil.

People are bringing this analogy or similar ones up in order to justify voting for Trump. The examples brought up from the Bible were all appointed or allowed to be in power by God. These were not voted on by the people as is the case with this coming election. To make the connection with the current election is logically and biblically false due to this specific disconnect.

We must not go against God's word in order to justify choosing evil. God will allow some, well many, evil things to occur based on our poor choices but because this may happen in the future it does not give a Christian the right to disobey God in the present just because they abhor the other choice which, in this case, is the degenerate Hillary. Both choices are degenerate and oppose God’s character and His law which equates them as being evil workers of darkness and we are supposed to abstain from all appearances of evil and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Your vote for either one gives your approval of them within the election process. Your vote for either one puts you in direct disobedience to God's Word. This is not my own created opinion but it is an opinion based directly on God's Word. See the verses below the article's link. These are but a few examples from God's Word that tells us exactly what we should or should not do in this case. 

Here is the article: https://grandstandnews.com/2016/10/10/eating-honey-and-pulling-down-pillars/

Verses pertaining directly to this issue:

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Ephesians 5:10-11

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil...Isaiah 5:20

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Psalm 1

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them ; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing ; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Revelation 18:4

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Ephesians 5:11

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. John 15:18-19

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. John 17:14-16

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.  1 Peter 2:9-12

The Christian’s choice in this election:

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15

Read through Romans 1 for a good example of how God gives us up to our own evil imaginations, etc. There are many examples in the Bible where this is shown as well.

Romans 1:24...God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts...and verse 26... God gave them up unto vile affections...

Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live. [20] The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. [21] But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. [22] All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. [23] Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God : and not that he should return from his ways, and live? [24] But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. [25] Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? [26] When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. [27] Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. [28] Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. [29] Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal? [30] Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God . Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. [31] Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? [32] For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God : wherefore turn yourselves , and live ye. Ezekiel 18:19-32

The majority of today’s churches are not on the old paths that God has commanded us to stay on…

The church has surely lost it's way in the world.

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls... Jeremiah 6:16

The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things: for she hath seen that the heathen entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command that they should not enter into thy congregation. Lamentations 1:10

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them ; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing ; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Revelation 18:4

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Ephesians 5:11

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. John 15:18-19

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. John 17:14-16

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.  1 Peter 2:9-12

Am I allowed to ask some questions?

I am sort of just venting here but at the same time I am trying to provide some encouragement.

I am going to put in this post a list of some of the topics that I have found to be sacred cows for many "Establishments" and their followers or supporters who seem to, at times, not allow much discussion if any at all regarding their sacred cows or "strongholds".

I say this based on my own personal experiences. I have on many occasions attempted to have conversations around these subjects and I have found that when I question the "popular positions or conclusions at any level I immediately get shut down with more often that not ad hominem attacks. On very rare occasions do I get a real chance to actually discuss my conclusions based on my own studies.

In fact I bet that some will read this list and see their sacred cow listed and they will immediately assume that I am some sort of illiterate conspiracy nut with ideas based outside of any real knowledge or science, if you will...They will do this without hearing my position first.

I encourage you not to jump to conclusions, especially if your opinion is based on little if no studying on your own part. Having an opinion on something that you have not diligently studied is truly ignorant and the scriptures actually state it is folly to do so.

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. Proverbs 18:13

The scriptures also say that we must prove all things and to hold fast that which is good (1 Thessalonians5:21).

If you have an opinion that is based only on what the media and the 'powers that be' tell you and you call yourself a Christian then you ought to start proving some, no all, of these things on your own. All aspects of our lives ought to be scrutinized and questioned even the 'traditional things' we always do in church. We assume these are correct typically because we have always done them this way and so it must be right.That is logically fallacious and not at all encouraged by scripture. We are to prove everything...

So here goes my list. They are not all related to any one particular "Establishment" per se but some are shared no doubt across more than one. These are the typical sacred cows that I have mentioned that on more than one occasion across all of them I have found bitter if not hateful attitudes towards me for even thinking that their positions may be wrong.

Sad thing is, some of the most intense and hateful reactions I have received in discussions on these subjects have come from self-professed Christians.

Evolution
Vaccines
Public Education
New Bible Versions
Patriotism
Abortion
Global Warming
OSAS (Once Saved Always Saved)
The timing of the rapture (pre, mid, post trib, etc)
Two party system (Dems and Repubs)
Patriotism
Open Air Preaching/Evangelism
Halloween
Christmas
Easter

I know there are more but these cover some of the most intense past conversations I have had. What I do know, as I said previously, is that I have had more than one occurrence, in fact I have had many occasions with every one of these subjects where when I question them with certain crowds they try to shut me down without much of a conversation. Typically these involved attacks on my character, my intellect and me as a person in general instead of having any real exchange of ideas.

These folks more often than not appealed to the majority, the "authorities" and traditions which are all logically fallacious. They do this instead of really studying these subjects on their own. This involves examining both sides and then making the best conclusion possible. I do so not just in light of man's knowledge but I finalize my opinions only in the light of God's Word. I believe and know that the Bible is the finally authority for everything in my life so I do this in order to be consistently and, more importantly, Biblically correct on my end.

 I try to be as nice as I can back to these stronghold supporters because I was just like them at one time. I thought I was the intellectual one but in reality any intellect I had was borrowed from someone else without any real studying on my part. I was really good at ingesting and regurgitating information without really testing it first. I have since repented of that behavior and am now asking as many questions as I can and studying as much as I can as well so that I can know what is the real truth on any of life's subjects.

I still have much to learn but for now, am I allowed to ask some questions regarding any of your sacred cows???

The heathen have entered into thy sanctuaries and congregations!

Israel did not listen or obey God in regards to this very important command and the Church today has done likewise...

The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things: for she hath seen that the heathen entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command that they should not enter into thy congregation. Lamentations 1:10

What will you do when they make preaching the Gospel illegal?

Someone said to me, “Let's see how much Gospel you preach when Hillary makes it illegal”.

My response to him was:

We should not be living in such fear as you seem to be rooted in.

God has given us the template to follow when that does happen:

And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Acts 5:40-42

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2 Timothy 4:2

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Romans 8:15

Christian, what would your dying words be???

We all have our heroes from times past whom we give much honor and credit to.

Sometimes it is due to their last words that they spoke just prior to dying.

As a Christian what standards do you hold to when assigning admiration to someone based on their last words?

Many Christians get caught up in the frenzy of patriotism and they forget what country they are actually citizens of and that they are strangers on this earth, no matter where they live. While they may have citizenship in whatever phyical country they live in, their literal citizenship is in the spiritual and eternal kingdom, God's Kingdom.

By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10   For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

13   These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14   For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. Hebrews 11:9-10, 13-14

Many self-professing Christians today want a political saviour to save the country that they pledge their allegiance to instead of focusing on the Kingdom that they ought to be serving and pledging their allegiance to.

When the fervent heat is brought to this world in the last days no earthly nation will remain. God's Kingdom is forever. A believer's citizenship extends forever as well and the start of this citizenship began when they were born (again (see John chapter 3)) into God's Kingdom. His Kingdom is now and forever.

...The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand...Mark 1:15
...the kingdom of God is within you...Luke 17:21
...For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Matthew 6:13

Many self-professing Christians today in the USA applaud the deaths of those who served the USA with their lives and they believe that these died for our freedoms. No doubt that was the motive in the hearts of those who died during war...

I served 8 years in the military and I also believed I was doing it for the freedoms of the country I was serving. I was not a born again believer at that time and I did not know there was an intended higher purpose for my life through serving the one true living God. I did not realize that to live is Christ and to die is gain. My heart was motivated by patriotism and not the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

My previous life was motivated by my earthly citizenship and not the citizenship that God had intended for me in His Kingdom.  I see now that it is more important to be patriotic towards God's Kingdom rather than any earthly kingdom. The battle is not over physical freedom but instead it is over souls. God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9)

Below are the contrasts that became so apparent to me that this is indeed what is happening here in America. That self-professing Christians are turned around in their concept of citizenship in the very same way that I was at one time. These examples highlight the last words of  one particular "Patriot" verses a true soldier for Christ. They are indeed very different and their dying words show what they placed as most important in their lives.

Nathan Hale is applauded as a hero of  Patriots here in the USA and mainly due to his dying words which were "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."  Folks call this man a martyr for the country.

Stephen is one of my biggest heroes. Right before his fellow Jews were going to stone him he did not speak towards the independence of the Jews from the Romans instead he spoke about all the things that God did up to sending His only begotten Son to die for our sins. His last words were about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and these words glorified our Father, the King of the one true Kingdom. At the end of his last words, his very last words, he actually prayed for God to forgive the men who were about to kill him.

This falls into stark contrast of Nathan Hale's last words. His last words were made during a time of war and these words essentially said that if he had his wish he would have rather continued on with the war for physical independence.

Despite the goals of any war, whether deemed good or bad, the end objective is to bring the other country into defeat or submission and with that comes the unavoidable loss of lives. These lives are the ones that Jesus Christ died for. Instead of an attitude of forgiveness towards his enemies, such as Stephen had, Nathan Hale wished for the chance to live on for his country which, when the thought process is drawn out, meant that his desire was to continue in war until his enemy was defeated which involved killing. His first priority was to kill enemy without any thought towards saving the soul of his enemy. You can read Jesus' words from Matthew 5 to get exactly His attitude towards all of this when He spoke from the mount. He said:

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4   Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5   Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6   Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7   Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8   Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9   Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10   Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11   Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12   Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13   Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14   Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15   Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16   Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:3-16

Nathan Hale's and many others before and after him had a focus that was not at all on the souls of their enemies but instead it was on their desires which were bent towards wanting freedom from British rule. This is not any different from the desires of the Jews during Jesus' time when they hoped for freedom from Rome's rule. When they welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem crying "Hosanna..." they were accepting Jesus as their deliverer from physical boundage. They did not get it that Jesus was not there for that purpose but instead was there to die for their sins. He came to give them real freedom. This is freedom from sinful boundage, freedom to live and serve in God's eternal Kingdom!

And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
10   Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. Mark 11:9-10

Following are the words of a true martyr. Stephen did not waste his words on temporal things but instead he focused on matters of eternal significance. Nothing is more important in this time or any time than the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
3   And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.
4   Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.
5   And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.
6   And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.
7   And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.
8   And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.
9   And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,
10   And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
11   Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.
12   But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.
13   And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.
14   Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.
15   So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers,
16   And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor [the father] of Sychem.
17   But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
18   Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.
19   The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.
20   In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months:
21   And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.
22   And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
23   And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.
24   And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:
25   For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.
26   And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?
27   But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?
28   Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?
29   Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.
30   And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.
31   When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him,
32   Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.
33   Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.
34   I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.
35   This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.
36   He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.
37   This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.
38   This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
39   To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,
40   Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
41   And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.
42   Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?
43   Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.
44   Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.
45   Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;
46   Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.
47   But Solomon built him an house.
48   Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
49   Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?
50   Hath not my hand made all these things?
51   Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
52   Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
53   Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
54   When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
55   But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56   And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
57   Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
58   And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
59   And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeConcordance and Hebrew/Greek LexiconList Audio, Study Tools, Commentaries
60   And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7:2-60

To bring this all to conclusion Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, gave us the perfect example as to how we ought to conduct ourselves in this world and that was through obedience to our one true King, God the Father.

Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
20   For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. John 5:19-20

Among Jesus' last words He said "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

Jesus was the greatest martyr, the greatest patriot and the only Saviour of mankind that ever lived or will live. We will do well to follow His lead in these matters.

So Christian, what would your dying words be?

IMHO EOSL 4 USA ETA PDQ. KOFPMHO

Translated: In my humble opinion end of service life for USA estimated time of arrival pretty darn quick. Kneeling on floor praying my heart out...

...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16

STOP YOUR UNFORGIVING ATTITUDES!

I am not the one calling you to forgive. God has done this already and He has done so very clearly in His Word.

Before digging in too deep I want to present the conclusion up front. If you do not forgive others then you will not be forgiven by God. People try to dance around this following scripture to make it say something it does not but in very clear and simple language it is literally saying: “if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses” (Mark 11:26).

This leads to a question that even my children know the answer to. How many unforgiven souls are there in heaven? Put away your OSAS card right now because it holds no weight in light of scripture. I will provide many passages to show that this concept of forgiveness is exactly as it is stated in scripture and that is, if you do not forgive then you are not forgiven. You can do the search for yourself on the many other scriptures that show why unforgiven souls are not heaven. That is not the core focus of this writing so I will not dig down into that at this time.

I am seeing some egregious actions of unforgiveness happening pretty close to home where self-professing Christians are suing other Christians. What the issue is matters not in light of scripture as we are told to not bring each other to non-believers for judgment in any matters.

If we are truly reconciled to God (saved) then we would not be going after other believers with the intention to harm them in society’s courts. People claim they are seeking justice but trust me, when I read the court papers and the online statements by many who are leading or encouraging these attacks all I see is hatred and the desire for vengeance. Their desire is obviously to do evil to others based on what they perceived as evil having been done to themselves or others.

Remember,  "See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men" (1 Thessalonians 5:15).

On top of that many self-professing Christians read into these non-biblical actions and take them as the guidelines to judge any previous work God had done through those being accused as being tainted. They judge the ministries left behind in the dust of hateful litigation and accusations as if these ministries were of the devil when in fact I know of two that are still in existence and are desperately hanging on, continuing the work that the Lord had started in them. They are truly seeking to do God's will through ministry despite what the world is doing unto them.

All of this is being done with a spirit of anti- reconciliation.  But God has not given us a spirit such as that but one of reconciliation through forgiveness. God redeemed us through forgiveness and has extended r reconciliation to us through the suffering and death of His Son and then we turn around and refuse to likewise to each other.

Shame on all of us who do such things!

Here are just a few scriptures that speak to the importance of forgiveness and the attitude we ought to have towards reconciliation:

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26   But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. Mark 11:25-26

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32   And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13   Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14   And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. Colossians 3:12-14

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2   Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
3   For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
4   But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5   For every man shall bear his own burden.
6   Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
7   Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8   For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9   And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10   As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:1-10

Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
2   Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3   Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
4   If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
5   I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
6   But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
7   Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
8   Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. 1 Corinthians 6:1-8

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19   To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20   Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21   For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:18-21

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16   But if he will not hear [thee, then] take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17   And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Matthew 18:15-17

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22   But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23   Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24   Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25   Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26   Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. Matthew 5:21-26

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy….Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:7 and 9

Being impractical in this world is practical living for a believer...

Being a Christian in every aspect of life should be somewhat if not very impractical as per the world's standards.

We are to be a peculiar people set apart from the world and all the while when that world persecutes us through hatred due to them seeing us as being impractical we should always remember that the world first hated Jesus Christ and killed Him for not being practical per their standards.

Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8   And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9   But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
10   Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
12   Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:7-12

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2   And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
2   O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
3   But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
4   Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
5   Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
6   There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
7   Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
8   I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. Psalm 4

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19   If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20   Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
21   But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
22   If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.
23   He that hateth me hateth my Father also. John 15:18-23

So it is true that being impractical in this world is practical living for a believer.

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways...

James 1:8 tells us that instability is what you are going to get with a double minded man.

The irony here is that I agree with Donald Trump's assessment lately regarding Hillary and yet I still will not vote for either Donald nor Hillary.

American has a severe case of memory loss and this is likely due to the excessive hunger for amusement and worse yet, for sin. They conveniently forget important details as long as it suites their short term selfish desires. Currently this is what has been seen with the atmosphere surrounding the race for POTUS.

 In 2008 Donald Trump was confident in his support of Hillary stating that she was very "talented...and very very capable". He also said Obama was talented and that he "also liked [Bill Clinton] very much"...

In 2008 Donald Trump stated that Republican George W. Bush was one of the worse Presidents in the history of the US and that a Democrat such as Hillary would do a much better job. Any Republican voting for Donald Trump today joins Donald as being as double minded as he is.

In 2008 Donald Trump gave thousands of dollars to Hillary's campaign for the Presidency.

In the second presidential debate held on 10/9/16 Donald repeatedly stated that Hillary has done nothing good in the last 30 years. This amongst many other statements he has made lately makes him fully qualified as a double minded man who is unstable in all his ways...

This is what many Americans actually want for their President.

America needs much fervent prayers.

Here is a video from 2008 that shows Donald saying these exact words: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nztJoFTtjc

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:8

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil...Isaiah 5:20