Lost Mandate of Heaven, Part 1I [Ideas Series, #9]

Psalm 109:8

"Let his days be few; and let another take his office."

Who would desire a persecuting tyrant to rule long? We might as well wish prosperous days to a mangy, rabid dog. If he will do nothing but mischief the shortening of his life will be the lengthening of the world's tranquillity. "Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days." This is bare justice to them, and great mercy to the poor and needy.

Think of Mubarak, Hussein, Kim Jong Il, Castro, Khaddafi as recent tyrants. Some were removed violently, some peacefully, and others, through ailing health.

And let another take his office. Perhaps a better man may come. At any rate it is time a change were tried.

So used were the Jews to look upon these verses as the doom of traitors, of cruel and deceitful minds. Peter, too, saw at once in the speedy death of Judas a fulfilment of this sentence (Acts 1:20). A bad man does not make an office bad; another may use with benefit that which the former perverted to wrong uses.

Sin is the great shortener of human life (Rom. 6:23; Heb. 9:27). After the flood the whole race lived a shorter time; iniquity shortens life, and some sins have a peculiar power to do this, such as lust, drunkenness, etc.

But a proud look, God hates (Prov. 16:5). Different standards (i.e., scales, balances, weights) are an abomination to the LORD (Prov.20:10, 23).

1984

In his famous novel “1984,” George Orwell described a nightmarish totalitarian world in which words were redefined – and some banished from use altogether.

This language was called newspeak.

It was a political novel written with the purpose of warning readers in the West of the dangers of totalitarian government. Having witnessed firsthand the horrific lengths to which totalitarian governments in Spain and Russia would go in order to sustain and increase their power, Orwell designed 1984 to sound the alarm in Western nations still unsure about how to approach the rise of communism. In the 40's and 50's many American intellectuals supported communism, and the state of diplomacy between democratic and communist nations was uncertain.

In the American press, the Soviet Union was often portrayed as a great moral experiment. Orwell, however, was deeply disturbed by the widespread cruelties and oppressions he observed in communist countries, and seems to have been particularly concerned by the role of technology in enabling oppressive governments to monitor and control their citizens. China is presently the grand failed experiment that's been repackaged with the bright gift wrapping of global opportunism. Its arms may reach across continents, but its heart is dark and godless as ever.

As to the protagonist in 1984, Winston Smith is a low-ranking member of the ruling Party in London, in the nation of Oceania. Everywhere Winston goes, even his own home, the Party watches him through telescreens; everywhere he looks he sees the face of the Party’s seemingly omniscient leader, a figure known only as Big Brother. The Party controls everything in Oceania, even the people’s history and language. Currently, the Party is forcing the implementation of an invented language called Newspeak, which attempts to prevent political rebellion by eliminating all words related to it. Even thinking rebellious thoughts is illegal. Such thought crime is, in fact, the worst of all crimes.

Sound familiar?

Obama Meets Orwell

Some observations from President Obama's press conference (tagged by LA Times' liberal writer, Andrew Malcolm, "Barack Obama's delivery of no news is quite smooth"): In messages reminiscent of George Orwell's "1984" or "Brave New World," Obama tried to convince us that he'll cut the deficit by growing the deficit, he'll get entitlement programs under control by enrolling more dependents, and he'll grow America's private sector of the economy by increasing the size, budget, and reach of the federal government to historically unprecedented levels. What's next? Proclaiming that "Freedom is slavery," "War is peace" or "Poverty is wealth"?

Think about the drones buzzing about our Nation (Click Here and Here) and monitoring our every move.

Think about the The National Defense Authorization Act [NDAA], which was signed into law on December 31, 2011, greatly expands the power and scope of the federal government to fight the War on Terror, including codifying into law the indefinite detention of terrorism suspects without trial. Under the new law the US military has the power to carry out domestic anti-terrorism operations on US soil. Even worse, the NDAA authorizes the military to detain even US citizens under the broad new anti-terrorism provisions provided in the bill, once again without trial. Don't believe it? Click here for more information.

Think about Obama taking control of the internet in case of national crisis. On July 6, 2012, the president signed the executive order — “Assignment of National Security and Emergency Preparedness Communications Functions” — which gives him the power to seize the internet. Essentially, it says the government can take control of private telecommunications technology, presumably including those used for the Internet, for government communications in an emergency. Under the Executive Order the White House has granted the Department of Homeland Security the authority to seize private facilities when necessary, effectively shutting down or limiting civilian communications. Again, having a hard time believing what you're reading? Click here.

Now, I'm no conspiracy theorist. The news articles I cite are not from a fringe right-wing or left-wing blog or crazy rag like Mother Jones. These are mainstream news outlets, Friend. Connect the dots and come to whatever conclusion you want to. Know this, that if you're looking to a man or group of men to solve your problems then you're in for a real surprise. Neither Romney nor Obama know the future and its winding, unpredictable curves. Only God knows what's best for us. It is to Him that we need to turn to in times of distress (John 14:6).

I'm no alarmist either. So, this isn't the time to panic; it's time to pray (I Thess. 5:17). Indeed, Psalm 121:1-2 states, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."

Looking, that is, to the hills of Moriah and Zion and the holy hill of God. Therefore, I will not worry nor lose sleep. The LORD keeps me in His mighty hand (Rom. 8:35-39). Jesus Christ is my Rock!

From the White House to the Great White Throne

Let me make one thing clear. Well, a few things clear.

1. I'm aware of how Psalm 109, verse 9 continues: "Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow." Make no mistake, I am not wishing ill on the president. Even though the psalmist's sentiment is an extreme one, think of the context of why he writes this way: The leader has led the people astray; the ruler of the nation has forgotten God; the prince of the people has forsaken the Law and instead chosen to rely and lean on his own understanding. There is nothing so bitter than to abandon God's wonderful precepts. It is truly a sickening thought to consider.

2. God gives people, including Mr. Obama, time to repent. In II Peter 3:9, the apostle writes, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." Thus, there is a time to humble oneself before the great and living God; that time is now. There is a way to seek God's forgiveness and it is through His only Son Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). What Good News, indeed! There is only one way to salvation, but it is tried and true. God's Word promises it to you and me and everyone else.

3. Unfortunately, there are those who believe that there is no God (Ps. 14:1; 53:1) or that there are many other ways to salvation but this is not so (I Jn. 4:9, 14-15). Those who refuse the salvation that Christ offers will be judged at the Great White Throne (Rev. 20:11-15). Any leader or any person "great and small" who are not saved will find themselves standing before God at the Great White Throne. Afterwards, they will be hurled into the Lake of Fire where they will burn forever and ever. What a tragic mistake to reject the love of Jesus!

Don't be one of them. Don't be a fool. Exercise good judgment and ask God to forgive you. He is ready to forgive you. All you have to do is humble yourself and ask for mercy. According to the Holy Bible, you shall receive forgiveness.

Stop delaying the decision. What's holding you back? Click here: The Plan of Salvation

Sources: LA Times, Fox News, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, newsmax, Free Republic, Heritage.org

Lost Mandate of Heaven, Part 1H [Ideas Series, #8]

Exodus 32:2-4

"And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt."

As we saw in the previous post, the people lost patience with Moses (and with God) and confronted Aaron about making them gods. He acquiesced. However, God gave Moses instructions for taking a free-will offering to be used in making a holy place for God (Exodus 25:1-7). Here Aaron received a collection, an offering of gold to make an idol.

All the people broke off the golden earrings and turned them over to Aaron. Suddenly there was a gold rush! It was more important to have something to look at (ie, a golden idol) than Someone to look to.

Aaron fashioned the gold with an engraving tool. It was all manual labor; that is, all hands and no heart. I'm talking about how this wasn't the Spirit-inspired craftsmanship of Bezaleel and Aholiab. It was the flesh-inspired work of Aaron. He thought it out, melted the gold, molded it, and fashioned it carefully with an engraving tool.

Upon completing his community project, he said, "This is your god". Again, notice that Aaron did not anoint this thing as their god. He simply went along with the people as they proclaimed it as their god. Also, take note that he deflected the idol worship on the people as if he was washing his hand of the entire spectacle. Pontius Pilate attempted to do the same thing, but history has not been kind. It was after all his hands that wrought the idol. Aaron in just as culpable in creating the idol as the people were in demanding one.

True leadership would have cried out, "This is idolatry! We must destroy this golden calf. You people are wrong in calling this creation of man your god!" But Aaron wasn't a true leader. He is an example of the one who leads by following popular opinion. If you put yourself in Aaron's shoes and you were accosted and confronted by hundreds, if not thousands, of men demanding an idol, what would you have done? Consider where you're at right now at work or your sphere of influence: Are you being a light in a dark, wicked world (Matt. 5:16) or a you like Aaron, hiding behind the idolatrous veneer of conformity?

Leading From Behind

President Barack Obama's infamous saying caught the attention of many here in the U.S. as well as abroad. To be clear, the "Leading from behind" quote was not stated by the president, but did in fact come from a White House official who was quoted in a a "journalistic" piece in "The Consequentialist: How the Arab Spring Remade Obama’s Foreign Policy" by Ryan Lizza. So, even though it was explicity stated, the president sure has practiced this philosophy quite consistently. The only people who "lead" from behind, as far as I can tell, are the carnival workers who follow elephants at a parade, if you catch my drift.

From Syria to Iran and the broader Middle East policy, Mexico, Russia, and China, America has been less assertive in the world. The attitude behind this line of thinking is that the relative power of the U.S. is declining, as rivals like China rise, and that the U.S. is reviled in many parts of the world. Therefore, the logic follows, if the U.S. is weak and hated then we have to lead from behind, taking the back seat to atrocities that are committed around the world (Syria as a case in point). Thus, the U.S. gains power by "acting modestly", by acting powerless. Huh?

Truly, the liberal line of thought is corrupt, dishonest, childish and dangerous. Heaven help us if we're going to face another 4 years of this debacle of a presidency.

Put simply, someone who leads from behind is a coward.

The Cult of Personality

As Barack Obama did not become president until January 20 of this year, it seems irrefutable that his cult of personality was bestowed upon him by so-called journalists who in order to help him get elected abdicated their solemn responsibility to report the truth to the American people.

As this typically occurs in a totalitarian nation, that country's ruler, with complete control of the media, is able to mandate what images of him or herself are being disseminated thereby furthering his cult-like status. Think of North Korea's late leader Kim Jong Il.

The Obama team is formulating its campaign strategy convinced that their guy's charisma and delivery combined with a willingness to say anything will result in re-election.

The Obama Team knows it will not be able to honestly campaign on the President's record of accomplishments. Their campaign will be solely based on blaming everything on President Bush and the mantra that things would have been worse if they had not pursued their policy agendas.

The Cult of Personality strategy works something like this:

1. Contrasting Obama against the dull and bland personality of the Republican candidate.

2. In concert with the once-mainstream media and the unions, leveling the well-worn and threadbare accusations of the Republican nominee as being mean-spirited and in league with the "rich" will be on full display. Consider the Bain Capital attacks presently being waged on Romney by the press.

3. Racist accusations being used to create headlines and sidetrack the Republicans whenever the opportunity, real or imagined, presents itself.

The Murder of Naboth

In I Kings 21, Naboth is murdered for his vineyard because he refused to give up his land.

King Ahab wanted the vineyard near his royal house in Jezreel that he might have it as a vegetable garden, and was willing to trade for the land or pay for it. Naboth's response was an emphatic "No." His rejection of the otherwise reasonable offer was rooted in the ancient Israelite idea of the land. They believed that the land was an inheritance from God, parceled out to individual tribes and families according to His will. Therefore land was never really sold, only leased - and that only under the most dire circumstances. You can imagine that the Real Estate offices in ancient Israel didn't do very good business.

See Leviticus 25:15, 25:23, 25:25; Numbers 36:7; Ezekiel 46:18 for further study.

What does Ahab do to this legitimate decline to sell him the property? He pouts before Jezebel.

So Ahab went into his house sullen and displeased And he lay down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no food. He seemed to be a spineless, pouting man who reacted this way when he met any kind of adversity or denial of self-fulfillment. He was like a sulking child who could not get his own way. Trust me, I've got eight kids. I know what sulking looks like!


"You now exercise authority over Israel . . . I will give you the vineyard of Naboth" Men, take note. Jezebel's manner of speech revealed who really exercised authority in the palace of Israel (Michelle Obama, are you listening?).


Friends, Jezebel plotted the plan and Ahab executed it. It's a little stretch, but see it this way if you can: President Obama is trying to steal our great Nation right from under our noses. What are you going to do about it? Believe the mainstream media? Or, put your trust back in the only One who is trustworthy: Jesus Christ?


The choice is yours. Make no mistake, though. I'm not referring to the choice of voting between a Muslim or a Mormon. What I'm talking about is humbly & quickly returning to God and begging for mercy on this great land.

America's Prestige Is On the Line

America is weak because we have a weak leader in Obama. But, he's doing it purposely, to transform this Nation from being a Superpower to an Impotent One. America needs to be taken back from the godless Liberals, Progressives, Democrats, Republicans and yes, the carnal-worldly Christians.

A weak leader who depends on God for strength and wisdom is truly a strong leader.

A weak leader who perceives himself as strong, because he sees himself as the answer to the nation's problems is in reality a fool.

Brace yourselves, folks. We're in for a rough landing come November 2012. Stay on your knees and keep looking up. Christ is on the way. God bless you!

The Plan of Salvation

Sources: The New Yorker; newsbusters, Washington Free Beacon, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Fox News, Smith's Encyclopedia

The Lost Mandate of Heaven, Part 1G [Ideas Series, #7]

Exodus 32:1

"And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him."

When Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, it troubled the people of Israel. The people couldn't see the reason for the delay; as a result, they allowed it to stumble them. Moses was gone for forty days. This probably seemed like a long time to the people, but a short time to Moses. Certainly it was a short time related to the outworking of God's plan for Israel. And, yet...

The people gathered together to Aaron, and had him make them a golden calf. This sinful impulse came first from the people, not Aaron. Even so, Aaron succumbed easily to the pressure. The episode of sin described in this chapter happened because the people demanded it. This is an example of where it is not good to rule by democracy and to give the people what they want. It is very popular and fashionable right now in this juncture of American life to throw other people's hard earned money around to curry favor and buy a vote. If only Ol' Aaron could see things now!

Furthermore, when it comes to ministry, it can be so dangerous to start with what people want or what they feel they need. Instead of being fed the truth and living by it, people expect to be entertained and to have their ears tickled by their pastor. After all, it's not about how high you jump, but how straight you walk.

Also, be mindful that God's delay is not necessarily a denial. His ways are not our ways (Isa. 55:8-9). The people wanted gods to go before them. They knew the Lord led them out of Egypt and they knew the Lord God had revealed Himself at Mount Sinai. Yet, they were willing to trust a god they could make with their own hands to finish what the Lord began with His hand. Isn't that something? We want to finish God's work in us! We're truly an arrogant and reprobate bunch.

Consider Paul's dealing with the Galatians: "Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Galatians 3:3) It is possible to begin the Christian life trusting Jesus, and then to begin to trust self or one's own spirituality. Following our own gods is no better for us than it was for ancient Israel.

And so, instead of leaving this uncomfortable uncertainty with God, instead of waiting, Israel turned to the flesh. God tells us "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."  (Psalm 27:14)

An End Run Around the Constitution

Obama is motivated not just by kickbacks. His actions are consistent with his rhetoric. He states that the overarching principle directing his personal and political life is his sense of social justice. There is every reason to believe him. His actions and demeanor are consistent with a man who believes that his goal is of such high purpose that it justifies all manner of subterfuge and end-runs around Congress and the Constitution.

One cannot peer into the soul of one's fellow man, but certainly Obama's demeanor, rhetoric, and actions are consistent with an understanding of Obama as a man who is convinced that he has a superior vision for America. Obama seems every bit the moralist. He works for his just society with what appears to be moral conviction. During his years as a community organizer in Chicago, he saw the great inequities in American society -- inequities which, along with bigotry, he attributed to the American capitalist system. The people on the bottom rung, and especially their children, don't have a chance.

For Obama the cure is more government, more regulation, more intervention, and less individual freedom.

For instance:

1. Obama's failed proxy war on the 2nd Amendment viz-a-viz Eric Holder's debacle of a program in "Fast & Furious". The Obama Administration is stonewalling this investigation by declaring executive privilege.

2. Obama's end run around the American people and the legislators they have elected by having the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declare carbon a toxic pollutant, despite the fact that all life on the planet is basically carbon-based. But fascists can never be swayed by facts and Obama has shown that when it comes to imposing his self-righteous agenda he isn’t particularly squeamish about violating the principles of the Constitution or the rights of the people. Rather than just fine industry, the EPA ruling gives that agency the power to impose limits on the amount of carbon and other so-called “greenhouse gases” that can be released into the atmosphere.

3. Obama's violation of the law through the Department of Homeland Security [DHS] and the enactment of its de facto amnesty through his executive order, something the citizens of this country have opposed for decades. The outrageous announcement is that he will be granting backdoor amnesty to nearly 1 million young ILLEGAL aliens. Faced with falling support for re-election, he is making a play to boost his popularity among Latinos by doing yet another end run around Congress and the Constitution. What’s most troubling about the President’s announcement is that there was no debate, no opportunity to examine the policy, and once again he has completely circumvented the checks and balances in our Constitution. Unable to pass the Dream Act for the past two years, he has ordered his DHS to halt deportations and, in the next 60 days, they will begin handing out two-year renewable work permits to ILLEGAL youths. Just a coincidence, we are led to believe that this action that couldn’t pass the Congress LEGALLY will be enacted just in time for a presidential election. The coincidence deepens with the realization that the Department of Justice has blocked states from removing unqualified voters from their rolls, also in time for the election. The only consistent Democratic voters appear to be foreigners, dead people and multiple voters.

4. Obama's signature legislation that he signed back in March 2010. ObamaCare is designed to take away Constitutional freedoms and replace them with Maoist-style restrictions, and big, authoritarian government. This monstrosity of an abomination needs to be repealed. It was drafted behind closed doors; rammed through the reconciliation process; purchased with tax payers money by bribing recalcitrant and wavering congressmen (think Corn Husker Kickback, Louisana Purchase & the like); and sealed with a deadly kiss by a spineless Chief Justice John Roberts.

Beating A Dead Horse

And, why, pray tell, am I belaboring the point? Why am I beating a dead horse?

Because the people of this great Nation have failed to wait for God's best and His will. That's why. Instant gratification is something the American culture has lowered and debased itself to. And, the pandering, cynical politician know it and are using it to their gain. We are as much fault as the politicians doing end runs around the U.S.Constitution.

The Declaration of Independence states it plainly -

"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."

Can I ask you something, Reader? Do the politicians in D.C. have our consent for conducting the people's business the way they are? They claim to know better than we do, but do they really? Did we give them that consent to think for us? I believe that our silence was interpreted by these fool that we condoned & consented to their decisions. The best way to show them our discontent is at the ballot box and by staying in contact with our elected officials when issues, policies, etc. that we disagree with come up for votes. We cannot afford to let them off the hook after election. Even the best intentioned elected official can go astray in D.C.

All these might make for a hopeless case against doing something, though. But, no fear, consider what God's Word says -

Proverbs 16:5 says, "Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished."

Proverbs 16:12 declares, "It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness."

Proversb 29:3 states, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn."
Proverbs 29:12 indicates, "If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked."

Here's a sobering quote from the tyrant of tyrants, Adolf Hitler: "What luck for the rulers that men do not think."

So, What Can I Do?

1. Repent and Pray. See II Chron. 7:14; Jer. 6:16; I Thess. 5:17

2. Vote and Stay connected with your elected officials. Prov. 29:18

3. Get Involved In A Ministry At Church. Acts 20:28; I Cor. 12:12-26; Heb. 10:25.

What people need isn't more Government; they need Jesus Christ. Be a light in a dark and dying world (Matt. 5:16).


I Know I Need Jesus Now!



Sources: Washington Post; Washington Examiner; Washington Free Beacon; Canada Free Press; David Guzik; Quotes.com

The Lost Mandate of Heaven, Part 1F [Ideas Series, #6]

Matthew 11:20-24

"Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee."

Thus began Christ to upbraid . That is, to reprove, to rebuke, to denounce heavy judgment on the cities. Why?

When He had sent forth His disciples to preach, and had been in these several cities Himself, and had taught and preached in them, and confirmed His doctrine by many wonderful works; when He had observed how ill they had used both John the Baptist and Himself, (accusing the one as having a devil, and the other as a licentious person); when they could not be pleased with the ministry of the one, nor of the other, Christ began to reproach them and their ingratitude to Him, their unbelief in Him, the hardness of their hearts. These people - witnesses to His goodness and miraculous acts - could not be moved to repent of their evil ways, and believe in Him, and acknowledge Him as the Messiah. What a tragic, pitiable breed these folks were!

The more God has done to draw men unto Himself, the less excusable are they if they continue in iniquity. If our blessed Lord had not done every thing that was necessary for the salvation of these people, there might be a glimmer of excuse. But, there isn't. Christ condemned these unbelieving cities because they repented not. All He did was, in order to bring men to repentance of their sins, and faith in Himself, was to work miracle after miracle in those same cities that they might be saved. He did not come to be applauded and to entertain, but to bring men to repentance. Lo, it never happened because of men's hardened hearts. What they wanted and didn't get were freebies.

As this great Nation slides into oblivion, it is sad to note that we are in the very position of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. God indeed has wrought a miraculous work in America. To ascend into incredible heights in such a short time can only be attributed to His providential hand.America has stood for the promise of escape from tribal loyalties and hatreds, the limitations of social heredity, and from the cruelties of religious intolerance. To be sure, America remains true to its cultural underpinnings - founded upon Judeo-Christian values - while still welcoming new citizens through a legitimate assimilative process. Generations of people came here not merely in search of new space to grow, but on a quest to realize the American Dream that defines this Nation. The institutions established by the U.S. Constitution take their cue from Biblical sources.

Our Founding Fathers acknowledged God as the source of our rights. In fact, they were careful to place Biblical morality directly into our founding documents and laws, and into our values and culture precisely to help prevent a future of totalitarian or tyrannical rule in America. The Founding Fathers declared that our political and human rights come from a power higher than human government; they come from God Himself.

If we are to avoid the same fates of the aforementioned cities, then we need to forsake the path that we're on and humbly seek God. Think about it: In November 2012, the Nation will vote for either a Muslim or a Mormon to lead this Christian Nation. Read II Chronicles 7:14 and beg God for mercy!

The cities in the vicinity of the Sea of Galilee had, thus far, heard and seen the most of the Lord and had the least excuse for rejecting him. Interestingly, from the 4th century to the 11th century Capernaum had 3 earthquakes, which successively leveled the town until the people decided to stop building and instead moved away.

A Tempest In A Teapot?

A dangerous heat and electrical storm with winds over 80 MPH blasted Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC June 29 2012. The storm left over 61,000 residents in our county with out power, in the sweltering heat. Homes and businesses across Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia lost power June 29 as one of the most powerful and punishing storms in months swept across the region.

More coverage here.

We know a number of facts about the June 29 derecho now. As many as 5 million lost power from near Chicago to the East Coast, at least 22 were killed, and it caused a yet uncounted millions or billions in damage. Yet, as of 24 hours prior and even the morning of, very little in the way of mass indication that it was coming.

While the United States moves toward becoming a weather ready nation, how could something like this happen with half a day or less of warning? Is it destined to happen again?

How apropo that this storm would hit the D.C. area the day after Judge Roberts turned the healthcare fight upside down with his siding with the radical left wing of the SCOTUS! Coincidental? I guess it's one question we can ask the Lord on that Great Day when we leave earth and join Him in Glory.

America Has Forgotten the God of the Bible

Back in 1993, an Appeals Court ruled that it was unconstitutional for Gideon International to hand out Bibles in public schools in Indianapolis. It was all right to hand out condoms to 13-year-olds. It was all right to graphically instruct junior high school kids on how to have safe sex. It was all right to give free abortion counseling to 14-year-olds without parental consent. And yet, it was wrong to give them a Bible in America in 1993. Guess what, folks? The landscape remains the same except godlessness is more rampant now than ever before. Without God's Word, we are truly lost and adrift.

Now to an extent you can understand why our children need to be protected from the dangerous doctrines contained in the Bible. Have you looked at it lately? After all, it has such "dangerous" concepts as "Love thy neighbor as thyself" and "Do not covet your neighbor's wife". And of course, young ears should never hear such words as "Do not commit adultery" or "Flee fornication". Oh, no we cannot, even under the principle of academic freedom which says that all competing ideas have a right to be heard, allow someone access to the Bible. Why, they might read and believe, and live by some of those "dangerous concepts."

If that were to happen, the world as we know it would come to an end! Think of the deadly ramifications of obeying the Bible. Parents would be respected and obeyed, as would teachers. We wouldn't need policemen (i.e, school resource officers) in every school. No need for metal detectors to check for guns and knives. Hatred and racism would die. Teenage pregnancy and the perceived need to hand out safe-sex materials would soon be gone. By all means please have the godless liberals protect us from such a horrific fate!

In the 1960's we forgot God by removing prayer and the Bible from our schools.

In the 1970's we forgot God by legalizing abortion in our hospitals.

In the 1980's we forgot God by removing the King James Bible from our churches and replacing It with the corrupted New International Version (NIV) that removes the important word “begotten” from John 3:16! There are more atrocities in the NIV but there is not enough space to delineate them here.

In the 1990's America forgot God by introducing the vile “Gay Agenda” into society.

And now in the 21st Century we are facing the abominations of legalized same-sex marriages and infanticide. Because of evolution, American has chosen to ignore God's revelation through His Holy Word (Rom. 1:20). Because of it, they have blown open the door to godlessness. Hypocritically, the same humanists who relentlessly place God on trial, unquestioningly accept the unproven theories of evolution.

America voted for a Communist U.S. president and is on the brink of re-electing him to a 2nd term.

Heed the warning in Psalm 9:17, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."

Woe unto America!

 

I Want No Part of Godlessness!

Sources: Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary; International Standard Bible Dictionary; Washington Post; Washington Times; myFOXDC.com

The Declaration of Independence [All American Series, Part 4 of 10]

II Samuel 23:3

"The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God."

The fear of God is a character every king, every president, every leader among men ought to have, administering justice to their subjects, ruling not only according to the laws of the land, but, most importantly, according to the law of God. He must have his fear before their eyes, and acting with a view to God's honor and glory. To whom these leaders are accountable, they should rule with gentleness and humanity, considering they are men, and not brutes, they rule over.

Believers shall forever enjoy covenant blessings; and God the Father and the Son shall be forever glorified. Thus pardon, righteousness, grace, and eternal life, are secured as the gift of God through Jesus Christ. There is an infinite fullness of grace and all blessings treasured up in Christ, for those who seek His salvation (Matt. 6:19-24).

 

Biblical Foundations of Freedom

In the lead up to the American Revolution, widely circulated sermons linked the revolution to the teachings of the Bible. Throughout the colonies, dissenting Protestant congregations (Congregationalist and Presbyterian) as well as Baptist congregations preached Revolutionary themes in their sermons, while most Church of England (ie, Anglican) ministers preached loyalty to the King. Religious motivation for fighting tyranny reached across socioeconomic lines to encompass rich and poor, men and women, frontiersmen and townsmen, farmers and merchants.

In 1750, Jonathan Mayhew preached:

"There is one very important and interesting point which remains to be inquired into: namely, the extent of that subjection to the higher powers, which is here enjoined as a duty upon all Christians. Some have thought warrantable and glorious, to disobey the civil powers in certain circumstances; and, in cases of very great and general oppression, when humble remonstrances fail of having any effect; and when the publick welfare cannot be otherwise provided for and secured, to rise unanimously even against the sovereign himself, in order to redress their grievances; to vindicate their natural and legal rights: to break the yoke of tyranny, and free themselves and posterity from inglorious servitude and ruin."

from "A Discourse Concerning Unlimited Submission and Non-Resistance to the Higher Powers"

Indeed, Thomas Jefferson came upon Mayhew's sermon in one of many leaflets that were distributed around the colonies. It influenced his thinking as he drafted the Declaration.

Furthermore, John Adams, the second president of the United States, said this -

"The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God."

Don't be fooled by the liberal media or liberal higher "educators" of academia. Of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 52 were avowed Christians.

 

Self-Evident Truths

"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. — 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."

from the Declaration of Independence

While these self-evident truths for the signers were not the same as revealed truth as found in Holy Scripture, they are still "endowed" to all men by God the Creator. In theological language, they would be considered part of common grace, whereas for the believing Christian, the Bible comes under special or revealed grace. Thus, the Bible tells us that the rain falls equally on the just and the unjust, and in similar fashion, all men are endowed with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Almighty God must be assumed, because without Him, how could one explain that all men are so endowed?

John Locke influenced Thomas Jefferson to pen these ideas into the great document of the Declaration of Independence. Here's a Lockeian quote -

"God hath certainly appointed government to restrain the partiality and violence of men."

While Locke argued that individuals should be free to make choices about how to conduct their own lives as long as they do not interfere with the liberty of others, it must be stressed that true liberty comes from serving the Lord Jesus Christ. And, the best form of government is limited government that enshrines (and doesn't condition) freedoms. In turn, limited government ensures that the citizen may freely worship God without outside interference and consequence. Locke therefore believed liberty should be far-reaching. Jefferson adopted John Locke's theory of natural rights to provide a reason for revolution. He then went on to offer proof that revolution was necessary in 1776 to end King George's tyranny over the colonists. It was evident to the signers of the Declaration that the king did not rule in the fear of God.

Read the entire Declaration of Independence here. You can also read summaries on the document here.

 

Chutes and Ladders

Independence and liberty are intertwined. The opposite of these is tyranny, something of which the current President of the United States seems to favor and practice feverishly with each passing day (almost like Satan in his final days, see Rev. 12:12). Yet, his talk doesn't line up with his walk when it comes to opportunities for every American.

For someone who speaks of ladders of opportunites as much as President Barack Obama does, he doesn’t seem to understand how these rather simple contraptions work. Ladders—whether real or symbolic of opportunity—don’t automatically advance all those who step on them. Only those who put in the effort to climb get to the top.

What President Obama seems to have in mind when he talks about ladders of opportunity and success, are really escalators: everyone just hops on and we all get to the same place with no effort on our behalf. His ideal is not equal opportunity, but equal outcome. In the real world, that is not a feasible reality. It's a pipe dream.

Perhaps the “escalator of success” would be a more fitting term. Or in keeping with his newfound fixation on fairness, how about “the fairness escalator”? Then again, it doesn’t quite have the same ring as “ladder of opportunity.” So the president has stuck with an expression that instantly resonates with voters.

Conspicuously absent from all this ladder talk, though, is the slightest suggestion that we can perhaps create our own opportunities. Nor will you find any acknowledgment of the virtues necessary to climb one’s way to the top: hard work, perseverance, fortitude, prudence and a real desire to get there. After all, some may fall down and will need to pull themselves back up again.

Or, rather than escalators, which requires standing up and that takes a gargantuan effort for lazy pikes on the left, a chute would be more apropo. All that's required is sitting down, which is what they do exquisitely well already.

 

Finally, Think On These Things

Those who know the holy law of God and the extent of his own sinfulness, perceive and conclude just how needful his own salvation is. You can call it a declaration of dependence. It is therefore all his desire, all his hope, all his dreaming that Christ indeed save him from his wretched condition. Why? Because man is totally dependent on Him for everything. When that reality sinks in his heart, then in striking comparison, all earthly objects lost their attractions and he is willing to give them up, or to die and leave them, that he might enjoy full happiness in Christ (Ps. 73:24-28).

Think on these things, Pilgrim. Have you drawn the same conclusion about your pitiful and hopeless state of affairs? If so, do something about it while you can, while there's still time. Here's how: The Plan of Salvation.

On this Independence Day, pray for a removal of Government as god from our country and a revival in every heart across this Great Land.

Sources: History.com; ushistory.org; heritage.org, Encyclopedia Brittanica, National Review; Locke, John. Two Treatises on Government. London: Printed for R. Butler, etc., 1821; Mayhew, Jonathan. A Discourse Concerning Unlimited Submission and Non-Resistance to the Higher Powers. University of Nebraska Press.

The Word That Never Fails

Revelation 22:18-19

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

From a news article in Fox News website, there is mention of Thomas Jefferson's view on the Bible. In it, there is reference that Thomas Jefferson, who worked to ensure protections of religious liberty, created his own version of the Holy Bible. He played editor to the portions of the Bible that he didn't agree with, in particular the miraculous and divine. Therefore, there's no mention of the Resurrection.

Jefferson should've read in I Corinthians 15:16-19 -

"For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."

Without the atoning work and resurrection of Jesus Christ, then we are just living among the masses with just another philosophy to compare to many other philosophies. That would truly be a most miserable life, indeed!

The news report states, "Jefferson was very much a product of thinking of the time, known as the Enlightenment...And so he was unwilling to accept anything that couldn't be proved on the basis of evidence. So he was determined to remove what he felt couldn't be substantiated."

Here's a new flash for Jefferson and for those who think like him: Jesus Christ is risen! His body wasn't found in the tomb because He achieved what He said He would do; that is, to rise from the dead. That's proof enough there.

Click here for the entire article: The Gospel According to Jefferson

Another individual who carried his agenda to the fullest extent was Adolf Hitler. He had a racist hatred against the Jews, which had no boundaries. In his war against the Jews Hitler instructed a group of German theologians to rewrite the Bible.

The German newspaper, Bilt Zeitung has revealed that in 1939 a group of Protestant theologians, loyal to the Nazi regime, established an institution for the "cleansing of Judaism from Christianity."

The institution's official purpose was to cleanse the Protestant church of all ceremonies with non-Aryan influences, and to compile alternative scriptures derived from the Nazi ideology and spirit of the church. The church staff worked incessantly, conducting comprehensive surveys and publishing a large number of documents that imbued Christianity with Nazi commentary.

One of these publications, the German Book of Faith, included the rewriting of the 10 commandments in the spirit of Nazi ethics, and also added two more commandments:

Hitler's 12 commandments:

1. Honour God and believe in him wholeheartedly
2. Seek out the peace of God
3. Avoid all hypocrisy
4. Holy is your health and life
5. Holy is your wellbeing and honour
6. Holy is your truth and fidelity
7. Honour your father and mother - your children are your aid and your example
8. Keep the blood pure and your honour holy
9. Maintain and multiply the heritage of your forefathers
10. Be ready to help and forgive
11. Honour your Fuhrer and master
12. Joyously serve the people with work and sacrifice.

Any mention of Hebrew words such as Hallelujah & Jehovah were carefully deleted from the book. The name of David's City, Jerusalem, was removed as well. More here: How Hitler Twisted the Bible To Kill the Jews.

It is said that Hitler embraced Darwinian philosophy, which dovetailed neatly with his belief that the weak and inferior races should be exterminated. This wayward, demonic thinking put him at loggerheads with the Christian gospel, which says that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, gladly leaves the 99 sheep in the pen to go and find the lost one (Lk. 15:4-7). Author Ray Comort, in his book Hitler, God and the Bible In, concludes that Hitler’s abuse of theology dismantled the moral fiber of a nation.

Now there is an ex-constitutional professor who left academia to serve in public life and is, from what I've heard, chief executive officer of the most powerful nation on earth. I've also read that this CEO has twisted God's word around to justify his poisonous policies.

Mr. Obama and his ilk say that the Bible is off-limits when it addresses the subject of homosexuality, homosexual marriage, abortion, or any issue liberals favor but the Bible condemns.  Yet, when it comes to wealth distribution then it's quite alright to quote the Good Book. The only problem is that when President Barack Hussein Obama quoted from the Bible, he both took his quotation out of context and got it wrong.

Consider the misquote Mr. Obama commented on from Luke 12:48: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

Here's the Scriptural context:

"And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."   Luke 12:47-48

Aside from the fact that Jesus was discussing requirements from God, not the government, he was actually teaching His disciples that they were stewards of God’s blessings. Their requirement was to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. It’s the crux of Christianity that Obama seems to miss. Jesus came because we are sinners; He died for our sins so that we wouldn't have to die in our sins. We could never fulfill any of God's requirements. Thus, God, not government, does the demanding.

A better illustration of care would be the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-35), but that wouldn't work for Obama because the Samaritan used his own money.

Now, I'm not saying that Mr. Obama is like Mr. Hitler or Mr. Jefferson. However, these 3 men have one thing in common: They distorted God's word to suit their world view. And, what I am saying - quite explicitly - is that men (or, women for that matter) who toy with and twist the Word of God to justify their political or racist beliefs are in danger of hellfire. And the people who follow these types of people blindly and willingly are going down a dangerous and fatal road (Matt. 7:13).

In conclustion, the American Constitution's First Amendment guarantees millions of Christians the right this weekend to boldly celebrate their faith's holiest day of the year, Resurrection Sunday, when Scriptures say Jesus rose from the dead. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is foundational to Christianity. Liberty is foundational for any free nation. Underpinning faith and freedom is truth.

Readers, I urge you to read your Bibles daily. Keep & guard God's truth in your hearts (Prov. 4:23). God's word is not extreme, only men's lies and Satan's lies are. Trust only in Jesus Christ!

If you want to place your trust in Jesus, here's how: In the Beginning Was the Word and the Word Was God

Holy Bible, book Divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine;
Mine to tell me whence I came;
Mine to teach me what I am.

Mine to chide me when I rove;
Mine to shew a Saviour’s love;
Mine art thou to guide my feet;
Mine to judge, condemn, acquit.

Mine to comfort in distress;
If the Holy Spirit bless;
Mine to shew, by living faith,
Man can triumph over death.

Mine to tell of joys to come,
And the rebel sinner’s doom;
Holy Bible, book Divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine.

- James Burton, Sr.