Communism ... in the United States of America!

THEY want to silence US!!  That may sound like a bold, even provocative and divisive statement ... but it is simply the reality of life in the United States of America today.  "THEY" are many in the Democrat party, secular/non-religious people in our society, and even a large number of people in what we call the "visible church," those who claim to be Christians, but do not believe much of what the Bible, the Word of God, teaches.  THEY want to silence "US."  The "US" is those who DO believe the Bible to be the Word of God and who desire to live in obedience to God's Word in all things.  "THEY" want to silence "US!"

Jesus told His disciples, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own, but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.  Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.'  If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.  If they kept my word, they will also keep yours" (John 15:18-20).

JESUS divided the world into two groups:  those who knew, loved and obeyed Him, and those who didn't.  In fact, Jesus said, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth.  I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.  For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.  And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.  Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.  And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 10:34-39).

All of this comes to my mind as the Michigan legislature considers the "Reproductive Health Act," which would remove virtually every restriction on abortion in the state.  It is Governor Whitmer's earnest desire to get it passed, as she continues to appear to be a "rising star" in the Democrat party.  Being PRO-abortion in the Democrat party gets votes.  And many in the Republican Party are ready to compromise on "exceptions" and drawing a line when abortion is "acceptable."  They do not want to hear our voices ... and honestly, there are not many voices to try to silence any more.  If politicians thought the majority of voters were adamantly against things like abortion and LGBTQ+ rights and an open border and an education that includes indoctrinating our youth and changing our history they wouldn't do it, but polls show that most Americans don't seem to care all that much.  The "bait" has been cast and swallowed by the unsuspecting who just want to live their own lives and have everyone "get along."

Preparing for a study on the persecuted church, I read the following concerning the Russian takeover of Romania and their silencing of the pastors and other leaders in the Romanian church:  "The Russian agenda was to silence the influence of God's people in the culture, and there was no limit to the brutality and cruelty they would inflict to achieve their objective."  Richard Wurmbrand, founder of "Voice of the Martyrs," was a Lutheran pastor who voiced his opposition to the hostile takeover and spent many years in prison being tortured for Christ.  It made me think about what I would have done in the same circumstances, and what I am doing NOW in our present circumstances in this nation that was once, but is no more, "the land of the free and home of the brave."

Have no doubt that communism/socialism/godless government is the goal of those currently in power in the United States of America, and at every turn it is their desire to silence the voice of anyone who speaks contrary to their hostile takeover.  THEY want to eliminate any talk of God from the public square, unless it promotes their agenda.  Their goal is to make more and more people dependent on the federal government in order to be able to control what we say and what we do.  For years they have threatened churches and pastors with the loss of our "tax exempt status" if we speak in favor of a political candidate, while at the same time speaking in churches and promoting their agenda of government "oversight" over every activity.

How can a young woman like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez rise to such popularity in the Democrat party unless she has the support of its leadership?  Why is an invasion of our nation being allowed, indeed, promoted, except to recruit more voters and to turn Texas and other states "blue" in the foreseeable future so that it will be virtually impossible for anyone to be elected President without agreeing with their agenda?  Some have said, "We are losing our country!"  There is a reason behind the reality of that statement:  We are losing our voice!!  Afraid to speak out for Biblical truth, Biblical morality, and for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the majority of those who claim to be Christians are tolerant of "a woman's right to choose," are supportive of all religions working together "for the common good," and are more concerned about the economy than about obedience to God.  Most "religious people" are tired of the battle and are willing to lay down their arms, literally and figuratively, if it will "bring our country back together."

But it's not about our country!!!!  It's about the kingdom of God and the deception of Satan, and all those who do evil who are trying to lure in the unsuspecting to take their side on the issues of abortion, education, climate and the rest.  And to do that, they must silence our voices ... "OUR" voices ... those who will stand in opposition to their takeover of every facet of our society.  THEY want to own the "public square," attempting at every turn to form public opinion to fit their agenda.  How many of you who are reading this have at least thought, and perhaps said, "It doesn't do any good to speak ... no one's listening!"  Could it be that you are speaking the wrong thing??

God has given us a message to speak, and it is found only in His Word.  People must hear the truth about sin and judgment, and then they must hear the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  WE must declare that JESUS is Lord ... over EVERYTHING!!  Jesus IS the Christ, the Messiah, God's anointed King!  And He is coming again to judge the living and the dead.  His CHURCH, the true Body of Christ, is called to speak to power, to speak to the oppressed, to speak to the helpless and the hopeless that no matter what the world may do to them, or what the condition of their lives may be in this world, there is HOPE, JOY and PEACE to be found through faith in Jesus Christ!

Socialism, government control over our lives, has been and is being adopted by an increasing number of people ... some intentionally, and others by their silence and their naive desire to get along and work together with those who have evil intentions.  Too many believe WE must "be nice," show tolerance, compromise where we must, and be silent ... showing God's kingdom by our love.  Love does not remain silent in the face of evil.  Love speaks truth!  Communism is the rule of "the party" to the exclusion of other voices.  The seed of communism exists in the United States of America today.  Remember the quote from above:  "The Russian agenda was to silence the influence of God's people in the culture."  Ask yourself if you see that happening all around you today!

You must decide now, before we go any farther down the road toward the judgment of God and the destruction of our nation, whether to go silently or to be engaged in the battle by the power of Christ who is at work in His people for His glory.  The cost may be high ... it already is for many in different places of the world.  Should it be any different here?  Will it be any different here?  Only God knows what the future holds, and He has told us in the words of Jesus.  Pray earnestly for wisdom, for strength to persevere, and for the courage and boldness to speak!  May all who come behind us find us faithful!!

"Don't Muddy the Waters!"

 On a rainy Monday morning so many thoughts for the week ahead run through my mind.  Monday is supposed to be my "day off," but even after celebrating my 73rd birthday on Saturday, I can't seem to convince my brain to take some time off from the Lord's work.  Instead, on this anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11/2001, I find myself looking at our nation and the world and grieving over the lack of leadership from our President and others in government.  But that's not the worst of it.  I am appalled at the level of compromise from some Christian leaders and others in the Christian community when it comes to taking a stand for the truth of the Gospel and the application of Biblical truth to our culture. At every turn, it seems, churches and leaders compromise the truth and give in to the voices around us that demand inclusion, tolerance and the all-encompassing "love" that approves of what God says is evil.

Isaiah wrote, "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).  It is said that for the Republican Party to win elections, we must compromise, especially on abortion, LGBTQ "rights" and many other social issues in order to get more votes.  What does God say?  Listen to this verse from the book of Proverbs, chapter 25, verse 26:  "Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked."  What a clear picture of what God thinks of those who compromise in the face of opposition.  Visualize a muddied spring or a fountain that spews brown-colored, foul-smelling water.  So is a righteous man who backs down, who refuses to speak, who gives way to the voices that demand compliance.

The "abortion issue," according to some, will cost Republicans votes, and possibly elections, if we do not compromise.  And there are other issues ... so many of them.  What many in the Christian community fail to understand when they say, "We must focus on preaching the Gospel and leave politics to the politicians," ... what they fail to understand is that Jesus Christ is Lord OVER politics and HE speaks to every issue in the political realm today.  While we proclaim our hope in Christ alone, we who are His disciples are called to be salt and light in the world by declaring that HE is KING!! HIS "position" on abortion must be ours, and we must proclaim it and stand upon it.  

"Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked."  If pastors and other Christians refuse to speak the unfiltered truth of God's Word, compromising in order to avoid offending someone ... anyone ... we are like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain ... whether speaking about abortion or LGBTQ rights or transgender issues, or other things like alcoholism, gambling, and pointing out the idols in people's lives that distract them from the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Too often leaders "tiptoe" around the truth, rather than declaring, "Thus says the Lord!"  Loving people demands exposing the darkness.  Otherwise we will be found muddying the waters, calling evil good and good evil.  Such a "position" is actually the refusal to take a position.  

We must be like Elijah on Mt. Carmel, when he said to the people, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions?  If the LORD is God, follow Him, but if Baal, then follow him" (I Kings 18:21).  It's time to stand up for Jesus Christ, for the truth of His Word in every matter.  To do less is to be like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain!!  I don't want to be either.  How about you??

 

Escaping the Corruption

 II Peter 1:3-4:  "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."

Today is known by many as "April fool's day!"  It has been said that this is the only designated holiday for atheists, as the Psalmist writes on two occasions, Psalm 14:1 and Psalm 53:1:  "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God!'"  But it is not only atheists who foolishly reject the one true God, our Creator.  The religions of the world have imagined their own "gods" and billions follow them with great passion and commitment.  Many who claim to be Christians use "religion" as a "get-out-of-jail-free" card, imagining they can avoid the coming judgment of God when Jesus returns by giving Him mere lip-service.  They are not the first to attempt such a thing.  Isaiah wrote the word of the Lord in his day, "Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden" (Isaiah 29:13-14).

As we approach the celebration of Jesus' resurrection following His suffering and death on the cross, many will observe a "day," but will display no devotion to Jesus Christ or to His Body, the Church.  The Gospel remains unknown by many because they do not know the depth of their sin or the judgment they deserve from the Holy God.  Instead, they imagine that "God loves everyone" and all is well.  Their celebrations are a mockery of the cross!

Peter wrote his second letter "to those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Peter 1:1).  He assured these of God's power at work within them and of the hope that was theirs as they lived, believing in the grace of God in Christ, trusting their sins were forgiven, covered by His blood, and who continued to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, seeking to produce the "fruit of righteousness" in their lives.  Peter wrote, "Therefore, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.  For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Peter 1:10-11).

The corruption of the world around us is obvious.  As we celebrate Palm Sunday tomorrow, God's Word points us to another moment, even more powerful, because as Jesus was praised as a "King" when He entered Jerusalem, the people had no idea who He really was.  When He returns, there will be no question!  EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  But for most it will be too late.  They will meet Him as Judge rather than Savior and Lord.

Do you know Jesus Christ today?  Have you escaped the corruption that is in the world today because of sinful desires?  Turn your heart and mind toward Jesus and know that new life is God's gift!  As we see new life spring up around us in the coming weeks, until Jesus returns there is time to discover this new life as the Spirit of God works through His Word to convict people of sin and of the perfect righteousness needed to stand before God ... a righteousness that can be received only by faith in Jesus.  

THIS is the good news we proclaim every day!  May God give you ears to hear!!  And for those who know Jesus as Savior and Lord, seek Him, love Him, worship Him and give thanks to the Father for His grace to YOU!!