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Are you a God-fearing man?

“Are you a God-fearing man?” That’s a question a close Christian brother of mine sometimes asks before witnessing to other men.

When he shared this with me I was immediately struck by the term. It’s old-fashioned , masculine and at the the same time, humble. I thought to myself, I have to write a column about the question, “Are you a God-fearing man?”

So here you go.

First of all, what is a God-fearing man? The obvious answer is in the term, a man who fears God. Makes sense, right?

But digging deeper, we find that “fearing” God is more complex than just living life afraid of God. First, let’s look at what Proverbs says about fear:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.–Proverbs 9:10

The fear referred to in Proverbs is reverence of the Lord. Before one can gain true wisdom, he must revere the Lord as Creator, Heavenly Father and Provider. To not hold God in awe is foolishness.

However, Jesus speaks of fear in a different context when detailing why we should not fear man, but only the Lord.

“Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.  And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”–Matthew 10:27-28

Jesus is, of course, speaking of God as the one who “is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Yet, in the next verse, Jesus speaks of God’s love for us:

“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

So God can banish you to hell , yet love you so much that all the hairs of your head are numbered? The best picture I can think of to describe this is a Godly earthly father: He loves you , yet sometimes has to discipline you.

If that fails to take hold, fathers sometimes have to make the tough decision to let you experience the consequences of disobedience. Sometimes the cost of this is devastating and life-changing.

While not perfect, I hope the previous analogy paints a picture of God allowing people the consequence of hell for a life of unrepentant sin.

Like a loving father constantly warning his children of the dangers of disobedience, so God sends warnings to the world. First the prophets, then Jesus, then the apostles and now Christians. This, so no one has an excuse of not hearing the gospel.

Af the forefront of this evangelism are God-fearing men, answering the Father’s call of using our talents to share the good news of Jesus Christ. God sent His Son to die for our sins so we could be saved from eternal punishment. All we have to do is repent from sin and place our eyes on Jesus as Lord and Savior.

“Uh …hold on,” says the secularist.

“God-fearing men? Oh great, they’ll push their religion onto everyone. What are we talking now, a theocracy for America?”

Here’s a news flash. WE are living smack dab in a religious theocracy!

The problem is it’s a secular-leftist, pseudo- religious theocracy. I’ll prove it.

The sacrament for this secular-leftist theocracy is abortion. Nothing else explains the feverous zeal to protect a women’s right to kill her baby. I’m convinced that abortion is ritualized sacrifice designed to appease the secular-left’s god. Here’s a hint, their god is not the God of the Bible and certainly not the Creator of the heavens and earth.

Everything about this pseudo-religion is a counterfeit of God’s creation. Marriage between a man and a woman? We’ll allow same -sex marriage . The family? Government will tell you how to raise your children. Men as head and protector of the family? Government will take that role for single-parent families. Truth? Truth is whatever the secular-leftist narrative needs it to be.

Want to have a trouble free life? Shut your mouth, pretend not to know things and go along with everything like it’s normal. Want to be diminished, ridiculed , and cancelled? Stand for outdated concepts such as Christianity, the Bible , the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Those are your choices under the Secular-leftist religion: Living under the fear of the state, or choosing to live according to the fear of the Lord. The God-fearing man chooses the latter and rejects the former .

The God-fearing man takes seriously the biblical warning of friendship with the world making one an enemy of God (James 4:4). He believes Jesus’ promise of hatred from the world since the world hated Him first( John 15:18). But the God-fearing man also has faith and believes that in persecution comes blessing and reward in heaven (Matt. 5:10-12).

So if God exacts death for our sin, isn’t that it? If we’re dead, what difference does it make?

The problem is you don’t actually “die.” Everyone of us when our physical bodies die, will receive an eternal body. That is, a body built for eternity.

Got it?

Now here’s the deliniation.

Those who accepted Christ as Lord and Savior will have bodies equipped for eternity living under God’s presence in heaven. Now here’s the bad news:Those who rejected the gift of grace through His death and resurrection, will have bodies equipped for wrath. The “death” is total separation from God.

Jesus spoke of hell more than anyone else in the Bible, describing it as outer darkness, fire, torment and full of weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Sin, any sin, is a capital offense per God’s law. He is holy therefore, He cannot, and will not tolerate sin.

Most pastors leave hell out of their sermons, so as not to offend or scare parishioners. This is preaching the “modern” gospel which ignores the truth that the consequence of a choice of unrepentant sin is eternal punishment in hell.

Focus on that description , eternal. That means not one hundred , a thousand or ever a million years living under God’s wrath, but forever.

Fearing God means living a life with the knowledge that everyone is accountable to God. This fear is also accepting that everyone, every man, woman and child has fallen short of the glory of God, due to sin.

God-fearing men (and women) only become as such, because they understand the eternal consequences of rejecting Jesus. The Christ is our only salvation from hell.

The God- fearing man knows we are literally enemies of Jehovah without Jesus as Lord. This is frightening and ,at the same time, humbling when you understand only God’s grace saves us.

God sent His only Son as the perfect sacrifice for our sin. Jesus willingly faced God’s wrath and eventual death to save us. His resurrection provided the gift freely offered to us.

We live in a world where leaders are God-mockers instead of God-fearing. They are weak, vindictive, deceitful, hateful , spineless, fearful ,dishonorable and arrogant with no moral foundation. Their schemes are anti-God, anti-life and idolatrous.

Can you see why we need God-fearing men in leadership? Only men who understand their accountability to God should be trusted with power.

What say you Christian? Are you a God-fearing man?

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Take heart, God is in control

God is revealing to American Christians a government that has contempt for the foundations of America. This epiphany is ugly and downright unsettling, but take heart, God is in control.

Yes, we have a desiccated, morally bankrupt figurehead as president.And yes, the statesmen standing as a bulwark for the people are few and far between.

So why should Christians be joyful ? We take heart because God is in control.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. –Romans 8:28-30 (English Standard Version)

What the world throws at us as evil, God uses it for our greater good. He is conforming those He has called to the image of His Son. Why? God is in control.

The question then becomes, do we believe that God is sovereign, no matter the circumstances? If we have faith then why do we worry ?

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.— Phillipians 4:6-7

God commands us not to worry or be anxious about anything. We do this by taking everything in prayer and petition to the Creator. And here’s the kicker: we do this with thanksgiving!

What is thanksgiving? It is thanking God in advance for answering our prayer. In other words, we pray with the expectation that God not only hears our requests, but answers them.

When we pray in this manner, God’s peace guards our heart and minds in the supernatural power of Christ Jesus. Do you understand what this means? We have access to this power no matter the circumstances.

So when you become despondent about the evil ascending in our governments and institutions, put it to prayer. Pray your honest thoughts and feelings about the situation and for God’s will to prevail. Then expect and thank Him for answering your heartfelt prayer. Do this sincerely and often and soon your believing and non-believing friends will see Christ’s light in you.

Instead of worrying about the assaults to the rule of law, why don’t we pray for God’s justice to prevail? Instead of grumbling about the latest political outrage with your friends, why not encourage a group prayer?

God promises to protect His people even amid a world spinning out of control. Our Heavenly Father covers us in His protection (Psalm 91:4 , ESV) and He sealed us with the Holy Spirit.( 2 Cor 1:21-22 , ESV)

Nothing is happening in America, and the world, has caught God by surprise. What satan purposes for evil, God uses for our greater good. Remember to take heart, God is in control.

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America’s first document of liberty

The Declaration of Independence… America’ first document of liberty. When is the last time you read it or maybe you’ve never read it all? Why is it important that we even know it?

For a document that is the foundation America was built upon, we don’t hear much about the Declaration of Independence except for the 4th of July. Even then, America’s first document of liberty takes a backseat to barbecues, parades, and fireworks.

Schools certainly don’t teach the Declaration of Independence with the same intensity as they do about America’s inherent racism, gender identity, and climate change.

Is it any wonder this country is weakening and possibly dying? Much like gender confusion, we’re not sure who we are as Americans.

How did this happen, this radical yet gradual transformation? Why does the only thought uniting us right now is the question, “What the heck is happening to this country?”

The answer is simple. For generations, we farmed out our stewardship of liberty from ourselves to government.

This was and is a tragedy in its truest definition. Picture us as the sheep, giving wolves the power to shepherd us.

Let’s get this straight, government is God’s divine construct for the people’s protection and , therfore, necessary. The problem is, historically , man’s fallen nature and insatiable lust for more power, corrupts governments.

You get the picture?

Unfortunately , America is a testament to that truism of man’s fallen nature and insatiable lust for power as we slouch into tyranny.

Patriotic Americans have an inherent hatred of tyranny. It is in our DNA because tyranny sparked the American colonies to break away from the British Crown. Hence, the Declaration of Independence.

For those educated in the American public school system, you may have forgotten the Declaration of Independence was a formal assertion by the people of the right to choose their own government. The first document of liberty presented to the world the colonists’ case for revolution against British rule.

America’s first document of liberty: The Declaration of Independence

Here’s the part most people know about the Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Powerful and timeless words:A resounding testament to the wisdom of the Founding Fathers.

But guess what? Those words are the second paragraph of the D.o.I.

What’s in the opening paragraph, the opening statement of their case? This:

In Congress, July 4, 1776 The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

In this introduction is the justification to separate from British rule according to the Laws of Nature and of God, the Creator of Nature. Simply put, they declared their revolution a righteous cause.

And here’s what follows that section about “…Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness:

—That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Governments are instituted deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. This means the government only has power if we consent to it. Put another way, the government serves at our consent.

Wait…what? Government serves at our consent? How many of you have forgotten this? Let’s continue.

“That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it and to institute new Government. ” This is the part that our rulers want to keep the younger generation ignorant of: their right to get rid of government that’s become destructive. Uh-huh, it’s a Right with a capital R to remove it and replace it with government dedicated to protecting the country and the people.

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

Of course the Founders ,in their brilliant wisdom, cautioned that that nothing is casual about revolution. It opens the door to the ugliness and brutality of war. Revolution can also be a double-edged sword: The government you get might be worse than the previous . A classic example was the French Revolution. Two modern examples include Communist takeover of Cuba (1959), led by Fidel Castro, and the overthrow of the Shah of Iran (1979).

As follows, the colonists took the course of revolution with prudent deliberation and presented their case to England and the world.

But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

The Founders then lay out in detail the long train of abuses and usurpations, which you can read here. Read and re-read, especially the passages made challenging because of the proper English of the time. Use a dictionary if needed.

After the extensive checklist of abuses comes the build-up to the robust climax of to the Declaration , beginning with this statement :

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Seems like Deja vu all over again.

The Founders ensured that our system of redress lay in our vote. But what is the state of our vote in America now? Instead of defending that sacred vote of the citizenry, bought and blackmailed politicians legislate to weaken our power at the ballot box.

Who’s fighting for us? Local district attorneys? Many of them are corrupt. The legislature? They’re beholden to the DNC and the RNC instead of local interests. Congressmen and Senators? With few exceptions , party interests trump the people. Federal judges? Certain jurisdictions place partisan politics above the rule of law. The president? The compromised Biden Administration is America-last first and always.

So here we are, a sea of enemies within. It’s up to we, the people. But what do we do? The odds seem against us.

Now you have an idea of what the 56 signers of the Declaration must have felt. Read the last line before the signatures:

And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Divine Providence is the governance of the God throughout His creation. The Founders were mostly God-fearing men who placed their faith and trust in His perfect will.

Many of these men lost their lives , fortunes and even families. As for their sacred honor, it has stood the test of time.

Paul Harvey: “Fate of the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence”

We have forgotten the meaning of the Declaration of Independence. In the times we are living, this blissful ignorance is not just unacceptable, it is negligence.

By not knowing the origin, the inflection point of this country and the sacrifices made, we allow scoundrels to dictate who we are.

Make it your mission to study this fundamental deed of freedom. This is not a call for violence or revolution, but a clarion to throw off the spiritual and intellectual chains of Marxism, socialism and communism that have clouded our thinking and divided us.

Become inspired by the faith and trust the Founding Fathers had for God. Learn America’s first document of liberty to the point where you can articulate it for anyone, especially your children and grandchildren. We will re-embrace our American heritage when we fear God more than man.

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Be encouraged

When viewing the current state of America, with widespread political corruption, crime-ridden big cities and gender madness, discouragement is an easy default. But be encouraged: as Christians, God is working everything to our greater good (Romans 8:28).

What is our greater good? Our faith. For without faith it is impossible to please God.

Yes, things really suck in America, spiritually. WE are experiencing, in real time that when a country turns from God , it turns to doctrines of demons.

Satan is in literally in the White House, influencing the president. One of President Joe Biden’s highest paid staffers is a satanist.

We’re talking paganism here folks. This whole “your truth ” vs “my truth” arises from people thinking they are all knowing. Idolatry causes this state, whether they are worshipping a false god , a deceiving spirit ,or themselves.

Other proof of America’s regression to paganism include, tribalism, occult practices, sex trafficking of women and children and abortion. yes, I said abortion.

Have you ever wondered why pro-choice activists rabidly protect this barbaric practice? Sixty million babies…60 million, aborted since 1973 is an afterthought to these people. I believe this is because abortion is a form of child sacrifice , and other Americans are coming to this conclusion.

Artist depiction of the pagan god, Molech

Just observe the religious zeal in their eyes and the personal attacks when you challenge their protection of abortion. This goes way beyond protecting a woman’s right to choose and has everything to do with placating Molech.

Now am I saying every pro-choicer knows they are participating in a grand form of child sacrifice? No. The street level activist believes they are fighting for a righteous cause, a civil right. It’s the upper echelons that know the plan and defend the practice. They craft the propaganda that seduces the undiscerning into willing foot soldiers.

Like I said, it’s demonic. And so is the embrace of this gender chaos. What has the country come to when a child cannot vote or join the military until he or she is 18, cannot legally purchase alcohol until the age of 21, yet can make make decisions about their gender before adolescence?

Our country is descending into spiritual madness courtesy of the secularist/Marxist pawns of the principalities of darkness .

So why do I say be encouraged? Because, amid the darkness, we as Christians have a tremendous opportunity to be light. We’re light because we reflect Jesus and the brightness of our light is commensurate to our faith.

There’s that word , faith, again. Let’s discuss why if you have it, there is no need for fear or worry .

Faith is like exercising a muscle: the more you work the muscle the bigger or more defined it becomes. You can sit around and visualize yourself as muscular all you want, but until you pick up that weight or complete those pushups, you’re still that out- of -shape guy or gal.

The same goes for faith. It must be practiced.

Prayer and Bible study are part of exercising faith. If you are doing these things consistently your faith will have a solid foundation. We build our faith from this point by obedience.

Obedience means a willingness to go where God leads you even if you do not see the outcome. This is where faith comes in, a belief in things unseen as if they were.

When we walk in faith, God walks with us in our circumstances. In other words, in our successes and failures. God promises never to leave us or forsake us. We can be glad that God is doing a work in us, perfecting us. That work won’t stop until we are in with the Lord in heaven.

When we are obedient to bring the Gospel to a fallen world , or in Americans’ case, a fallen nation. Be encouraged because nothing can stop the mission.

Historically, persecution and martyrdom never stopped God’s Word. If anything, these obstacles instituted the opposite effect, causing the Gospel to flourish.

In this hour of darkness is the American Christians’ opportunity to shine brightly. God has appointed you and me for this hour.

Yes, the times appear bleak and hopeless. But take heart, when the odds appear against the church is when God does His greatest work. We only stifle His glory when we hesitate in fear.

So welcome the persecution, and remember that your life is not your own, but was ransomed by the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. Remember also that you can do all things in the name of Jesus. His name is above all others and the day will come when all will bow before Him.

I believe God is revealing the level of evil we are living under for a purpose: to show us only God can fight this battle . We are perfected when we allow Him to move through us.

Be encouraged.

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Traditional masculinity triggers godless left

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love.–1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (English Standard Version)

Like a cross to a vampire, traditional masculinity triggers the godless left. Why is this so?

So much of leftism attacks classic masculine traits such as courage, assertiveness, independence and leadership. Here’s why they must.

I believe it’s because masculinity is normal.

Oh it can’t be that… can it?

Yes it can, and it makes sense if you think about it.

Everything about the left is a parody and a counterfeit. Their policies and goals are steeped in chaos with the upending of what used to be accepted behaviors of the two sexes.

There is nothing chaotic about true masculinity. If anything ,masculinity produces order and calm which is kryptonite to the radical left.

Take a guess as to the masculinity poster boy that most triggers the godless left? That’s right: None other than President Donald Trump.

Let’s see… the left labels Trump as bombastic and braggadocious, yet he exhibits those masculine traits of courage, assertiveness, independence ,leadership and results in spades. Maybe that’s why the left and RINO’s on the right hate him?

Trump not only exemplifies those qualities, but he celebrates other men that project those qualities. Just look at any of his rallies. He always makes it a point to single out people in his audience that look like men’s men. He highlights and celebrates that as one alpha male to another which gets the left seething.

“Toxic masculinity this and toxic masculinity that!” they whine as if every male is a bully or misogynist. Now are there some jerks who exhibit those negative qualities?

Of course. But who stands against the those who bully others? That’s right, the masculine male.

The experts say toxic masculinity is harmful to nations because of misogyny, dominance and violence. Let’s examine these examples one by one.

The vast majority of masculine men are chivalrous to women because of their up-bringing. Notice you never ever hear the left discuss chivalry as a part of masculinity. Nope, all we hear associated with masculinity is sexism.

Dominance is also alien to true masculinity. These men do not obsess over bending people to their will , they’re too busy living their lives, taking care of their families and working their jobs. Only godless narcissists and sociopaths, walk around, contemplating how they can dominate society and culture. Remember, control is a reaction to fear.

Which brings us to violence…

For real toxic males, violence is a go-to, whether it’s raging, protecting fragile egos, dominating women or impressing peers with random assaults. We’re talking developmentally arrested individuals, lacking self-control. For them, violence is strength.

On the other hand, threats to family, friends innocents and personal safety are go-time for the traditional masculine man. These are males with self-control and patience…up to point. While these men are not prone to violence, they are not afraid to use it when needed.

God gave masculinity to men as tools to protect, build, carry on the species, fight, and if necessary, kill evil. Demonizing masculinity, in favor of radically feminizing culture, is literally withering the United States of America and Western Civilization.

This coordinated attack on masculinity is not to make us a better nation as the leftist mantra often claims. Instead, it is a strategy to destroy western nations like the United States, Canada and Great Britain by weakening its protectors: masculine men.

Want to know the biggest reason the left hates Trump or any other unapologetic masculine men? These guys whether in big ways or small inspire men to stand , resist and, if needed, fight.

Most importantly such men are heroic to young boys and teens. They provide an ideal for them in which to aspire.

True masculine guys don’t obsess over what people think about them. They form their opinions based on their core beliefs and principles.

The ever growing numbers of MAGA reflect a country of males thirsty for simple, plain-spoken truths outside of the gaslighting left. That’s sand in the gears of leftism which bullies people into staying silent and standing down out of guilt, shame or fear.

Men like Trump are dangerous to the left, so they are demonized as racists, misogynists, and homophobes. This is done so other guys will hesitate pushing back against the crazy leftist agenda.

Too many men want to be liked and accepted by everyone:pop culture, friends and even people they hardly know. They parrot mainstream thinking with their comments and observations and are mortified if they offend anyone. These are beta males.

To quote the legendary Brooklyn Dodgers Manager, Leo Durocher, “Nice guys finish last.” Or in this case , beta males aren’t even in the fight.

The need for traditional masculinity is a truth that may offend many in our angry , petulant and unserious culture. Since traditional masculinity triggers the godless left, more males should embrace this trait with alacrity.


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What can one Christian do?

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” –Isiah 40:31

What can one Christian do? What difference can you make in the face of widespread infiltration of evil in America?

You see blatant corruption literally sucking the life out of America: a two-tier justice system, a wide-open border , presidential administration beholden to America-hating interests and a federal government persecuting anyone who questions or stands in the way of its agenda.

Some days the gravity of our situation is wearying and some days a feeling of powerlessness dominates. Can I get an amen?

We feel this way because the news is mostly bad. Even on conservative websites, many published articles can leave one sighing in despair over the madness of our situation and the willful destruction of our economy, laws, society and military.

We can respond to the world’s standards or God’s

As Christians we have three responses to our current situation. 1) We can surrender in a foregone conclusion that America is over; 2) we can return evil for evil; or 3) we can reference our Bibles for a Godly response.

The first example implies a serious lack of faith. So does the second; with you now showing that you know better than God. The third action is rooted in God’s word and therefore, faithful.

Faith is the key word. Specifically, where do we place our faith? If you find yourself reading news or commentary more than your Bible, your faith in God may be or is already lukewarm.

I must confess that there have been recent periods where I have done exactly that; studying political commentary more than my Bible. That wearing feeling mentioned earlier, is the barometer of this shift in priorities.

Powerlessness comes from taking our eyes off of Jesus

Powerlessness comes when we’re not trusting in God. Power comes from faith in God.

We must keep our eyes on Christ and not on the current state of our country. That doesn’t mean we ignore what’s going on because we have to live in the world. However, we must also remember that when we accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, like Him, we became no longer of the world.

This means our true home is heaven. This world is not a final destination, but merely a flash on our way to eternity.

This truth is an important concept that we must resolve to remember, no matter how much the culture deteriorates. With that in mind let us look at what God tells us to do in the face of corrupt government officials and a pagan culture.

The Bible commands us to submit to government authorities and pray for those in power. Yeah… submit and pray.

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.–Romans 13:1(New King James Version)

This means we peaceably obey the government by not fomenting rebellion against obeying laws and paying our taxes. Keep in mind, that Paul wrote this during the time of Nero, one of the cruelest Roman rulers.

Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.–Romans 13:2(NKJV)

You think things are bad for Christians now? Nero used to have Christians cast in wax and lit on fire like candles for his amusement. This depraved Caesar would also feed Christians to the hungry lions in the coliseum or have them killed in gladiator spectacles.

Paul wrote Romans during the reign of this madman. Does this mean we obey all government edicts without question? Of course not.

Why do you think those Christians were persecuted by Nero? It was because they did not follow his laws to remain silent and not worship Christ. Those Christians were martyred because they placed God above government.

We choose God over government

This is the only instance in which we are not to follow government. When it comes to obeying the government and worshiping our Lord, we defer to the latter and not the former. Peter explicitly obeyed this principal in Acts 5:29:

But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.

Government as ordained by God is supposed to protect the righteous while being a terror to the evil doer.This is the explained in Romans 13:3-5

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. 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. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.

Our current government has become a terror to good works and not to evildoers. Therefore it is not carrying out its God-given duty to protect the good. It prioritizes abortion, transgenderism , division and paganism. Are we to obey it blindly? No, for it is anti-God and anti-Christ. However, this does not give us license to foment rebellion. We choose not to follow laws that glorify evil and not God,while at the same time praying for elected officials.

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.–1 Timothy2:2-4.

So if you want peace of mind and joy, do what God commands us to do . It totally goes against the world’s standards and as a result, calls us to faith and obedience; which is really what God is looking for in his children.

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Keep your eyes on Jesus

by Dex

I am at the point where my well of outrage is empty.

After a certain point how angry can you get about the latest government example of either not enforcing laws , creating a new morality or turning the law against law abiding citizens who happen to be Christian and or conservative? I don’t know about you but my peak anger was reached after the 2022 midterms.

It’s pretty obvious our system of elections are corrupted. The scoundrels in charge don’t even hide their chicanery anymore.

The situation is not helped by certain judges who refuse to hear the serious merits of the lawsuits brought about by conservative candidates or by “journalists” who refuse to look into allegations of election misconduct.

We also have blatantly unconstitutional laws in effect such as the recent law in California prohibiting doctors from spreading “misinformation” about Covid -19 and vaccines under penalty of losing their medical license.

And speaking of the vaccines , where are the enterprising investigative reporters looking into the rash young athletes suddenly dropping dead or suffering sudden deleterious signs and symptoms out of nowhere? This phenomena has only been happening in the last two years. Hmm… could this be connected to the Covid vaccines? Maybe, maybe not, but why is no one investigating the situation to at least definitively show that the shots are truly “safe and effective” as advertised?

I look at what’s going on and the effort by people to pretend not to know things and I have to admit it is quite exasperating. Perhaps you have also gotten to the point where you feel tuning out is your best recourse to maintain your sanity.

Americans are losing faith in their government and in institutions that were once revered such as law enforcement , the judiciary and medicine. This is a serious situation because these institutions are matching the lack of trust citizens have in the federal government.

So where do we turn and whom do we turn to ? We can’t run because America is the last bastion of freedom for the world . We must also be guarded in our trust of politicians since many are bought and paid for by entities who either view the American people as an annoyance or want to subjugate us.

Looking around at the rampant lawlessness and disregard for traditional morals can easily make one hopeless. However, as Christians our hope is not in some politician, political party or even a judicial ruling.

No. Our hope is in one person and one person alone: Jesus.

For good reason Jesus said ” I am the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). ” He said so because it is the truth.

And speaking of truth, it is what is sorely lacking in our current society. We are lied to about everything. We’re told there are multiple agendas, we’re told science trumps the Bible; we’re told marriage between a man and woman is not important; we’re told that climate change is an existential threat and we’re told minor laws such as jaywalking or shoplifting aren’t worth enforcing.

Christian , God has revealed to you the effects of a society that chooses to reject God and the Son. You are witnessing the literal madness and lawlessness that is associated with this decision.

America is mired in darkness as a result. Why did Jesus call himself the light of the world (John 8:12) ? Easy, the world is in darkness (Isaiah 60:2). Why is the world in darkness? The world is in darkness because Satan rules those who are not in Christ (1 John 5:19, John 8:44). Satan’s kingdom is darkness full of lies, murder, lust, sensuality, envy, anger, hatred, jealousy, covetousness, fornication, adultery, thievery, slander and idolatry, just to name a few examples.

Instead of emphasizing the Gospel and the morals attached to it, American culture embraces woke politics. Instead of teaching love thy neighbor, what is taught is love thyself. Instead of promoting humility, pop culture preaches pride.

These are the bitter fruits that come from turning from Christ to the false gospel of the flesh. We are in times where good is called evil and evil is called good and that should cause us to shudder.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. –Isaiah 5:20 (New International Version)

Woe is more than just an expression of a feeling , in this use in the Bible it is an expression of judgement. We are witnessing the consequences of knowing God, but not acknowledging the Son, Jesus, though the arrogant and futile thoughts and policies of those who claim to know what is best. It can be strongly argued that America and most of Western Civilization is living out Romans 1:

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.— Romans 1:24-32 (NIV)

When God gives you over to something, it is because you worship that object ( be it a political philosophy, alcohol, drugs, pornography, occult ic practices, fornication, adultery or homosexuality) more than the Heavenly Father. His love for us may sometimes allow for bitter discipline that comes from the consequences of pursing sin. These consequences will either bring us back to the Father, through Jesus, giving us life, or we will harden our hearts and embrace the world, and the devil, resulting in death.

Picture yourself in extreme darkness. I am talking no streetlights, no moonlight, no ambient light. We’re talking darkness that is so black that you do not even see your hands in front of your face. How do you even walk in such heavy darkness, much less see your path? Now picture a light in the distance giving you a faint glimmer of your path and surroundings. Most people would go to the light unless they are hiding from something they fear.

This is America right now… mired in darkness. As Christians it is vitally important to keep our eyes on Jesus.

We need to make sure we reflect His light and not the darkness of the culture.

Our lights grow brighter when we pray, study and (if God places it on your heart) fast. We become more spiritually luminescent as we draw closer to the Father , Son and the Holy Sprit and stand uncompromising in our faith.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.–Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)

Do not look to the left or the right. In other words, do not despair over the latest outrageous headline about corrupt politicians enabling lawlessness through irresponsible legislation. Don’t worry over the state of our economy. Don’t worry about Covid. What does worry change? Nothing. Neither does anger and outrage have any effect except for disrupting your health and peace.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Take heart, we are not powerless. We possess the most powerful weapon in the world, prayer and we have a Heavenly Father who promises to answer our prayers according to His perfect will. All we have to do is keep our eyes on Jesus and the Almighty God will do the rest.