A Time of Reformation

Now Is The Time

We want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship [what you] have set up.”  Daniel 3:18 (NLT)

This time in Daniel’s life and in the life of the people of God was a time a great turmoil.  But unbeknownst to them, it was also the time of great opportunity for God’s people because God was moving forth His plan of the ages.

We are at a crossroads in America. 

Great ideological, political, social and spiritual changes are here.  The God of our Fathers, the God of the Bible, for the most part has been replaced in the hearts and minds of the American people.  We have, as a people, rejected the principle and godly values that made this country great.  However, there is still a remnant here who have not bow the knee to the false gods of modernism: spiritual and principled men and women of God who have not, and will not, bow before the rotting gods of the popular culture and the secular progressives.

The Church of Jesus Christ – all born again believers – have an appointment with divine destiny.  The scriptures declare that

those who stay courageously loyal to their God will take a strong stand.  (Daniel 11:32b  MSG Bible). 

All others will surely get swept away in the apostasy of the end time as recorded by Paul, the apostle in 1 Timothy 4:1 (NLT)

Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.

Today some so-called “leaders” in the emergent church are so enamored with having recognition by the world that they are compromising biblical truth for a more “socially-correct” position of “understanding” concerning moral issues.  I call on discerning leaders in the emergent church movement to withdraw from and denounce these leaders as Paul did and heed his command (apostolic authority) to

… rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.

The Episcopal church for years has allowed “debate” concerning homosexuals in the ministry and has recently been torn apart as a denomination because of this “debate” to gain “understanding”.  No good can come from compromising God’s word and opening a debate to further understand.  The truth is, if God approves it, it’s approved; if God’s condemns it, it’s condemned.  Period.  End of discussion.  That stand is “bigoted” in the popular culture, but it’s acceptable in God’s sight.

The church must begin again to speak out and be the conscience of the nation and the critics of all that is evil.  We must call evil what it is and resist the flattery that will come to

those who betray the holy covenant [of God].  (Daniel 11:32a  MSG Bible)

We are will either crave to be accepted by those around us, or with a passionate love, turn them to righteousness.

The choice is ours.  The opportunity is now before us. 

What will you do?

’til next time

Danny

Socialism: The Government Dream

There is only a need for BIG Government when the people of a nation have lost all semblance of “self-government.”  When that happens, BIG government becomes oppressive of the people because that is what they “deserve.”  Anyone, nations included, who cannot govern themselves by standards of good morals and righteous principles, will always fall into slavery to another who will oppressively govern them.

Today people live as if they had a right to everything under the sun; and they expect government to give it to them.  Gone, for the most part, it seems, are the days when people had a sane pride in personal achievement and responsibility for the fulfillment of their own dream.  It was not a “government dream” – or should I say, “government nightmare.”

 

YES, I’D LIKE . . .

The true story is told about a certain young man who on a college campus had an encounter with a certain young lady who believed socialism was the answer to our problems.  Approaching this young man, who by the way, sported a large button on his shirt that proclaimed: “Cut Down Big Government”, she questioned, “Even you right wingers don’t want to starve?”  He knew that if he admitted to this, she’d only follow up with why not such a guarantee for shelter, medicine and all the rest.

The young man’s reply, which at first seemed like a victory to this socialist young lady, was, “Sure, I’d like to lay my hands on everything I can get.”  “Ah,” she said, “But the state is the closest you can come to such a guarantee.”  “Sure,” replied the young man, “I grant that.  There is something more.  I’d like a guarantee of shelter and medical treatment and even some recreation.”  At that reply, the young socialists woman thought she had a convert and mystified said: “But that’s what we support.  Why are you wearing that button?”  She meant of course his “Cut Down Big Government” button.

The young man continued, “I would also like a yacht.”  A little perturbed she answered – “… if you’re not going to be serious about it.”  “Oh, but I am,” reply the young man earnestly.  “I would really and truly like a yacht.  Also a seaside villa.”  “Look,” said the young woman rather sternly, “you know what I’m talking about – sharing!  I’m not interested in your greedy daydreams.  I’m asking what everyone should have.”  “All right,” replied the young man, “I understand.  Let everyone have a yacht!”

“But how?” queried the woman with the first sign of a rational thought.  “Oh, don’t bother me with that!” he said.  “There will be a way, I’m sure.  Just so everyone has a yacht.  However, there is one more thing I would like.”  “What?” she asked.  “Two yachts.”  The young man stepped back slightly as he noticed the incensed look on the woman’s distorted face as she blurted out, “It’s people like you who keep socialism from working!”

The young man agreed, “Yes, you are quite right.  Perhaps if people like me were put away somewhere socialism would have a chance.”  By now the young, socialist woman was glaring as she desperately tried to think of an answer.  The young man continued, “But there’s still one problem. How many are there like me?”  “Not as many as you think,” the woman replied and walked away.

In an age apathy, relativism and covetousness, people are more and more gravitating toward the socialist road without understanding of its implications for liberty and the crushing of the human spirit.  Socialism ignores the spirit side of man.  They can provide you a house, fill your pot with chicken, give you “free” medical healthcare when you’re sick, all the things that are guaranteed to a prisoner or a slave.  They don’t understand, however, that God gave us a spirit (a heart) to dream — yes, even of some time acquiring and owning our own yacht.

Danny

Radical Ideas

 

We are living in unprecedented times in our history.  I have been alive for more than a half century and never in my life have I ever been aware of such dangerous times as these: globally, nationally, economically, socially, morally and spiritually.

I read a radical idea the other day and thought I’d pass it on to you.  And yet, this radical idea is found in one of the most important historical documents of our great Republic.

See for yourself: > “One Nation Under God, Indivisible …? 

’til next time, keep interceding for our leaders and our nation,

Danny

He Will Save Us

“They set up kings without my consent; they choose princes without my approval … they make idols for …
their own destruction.”  
Hosea 8:4 NIV

Can there be any doubt that we are living in the last days?  These are the days of which the Holy Spirit expressly warns believers would be perilous before the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Tim. 3:1)

When politicians run on the idea that they will fix government; that they are the answer to America’s ills, we must be that much more determined to seek the Lord our God, whom Holy Scripture says is “our Judge … our Lawgiver … our King” because it is He who “will save us.” (Isa. 33:22 NKJV)  And although we have been entrusted with the right and privilege of voting for our civil leaders, we must not enter the voting booth before we’ve spent time in our prayer room.

The Lord warned His people through the prophet, Hosea, that choosing leaders according to their own ideas and preferences, without consulting Him was a sure recipe for disaster.  To make idols (whether of silver, or gold, or of people) for themselves was to move toward destruction.

This is a sober time for America and a wake up call for the True Church of the Living God to humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face and turn from any wicked way in us that is making us part of the problem instead of the solution.  We are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.  We cannot – and must not – lose our commitment and loyalty to our King: the Lord Jesus Christ, ruler of heaven and earth.

We, who are bible-believing Christians, must never, by our vote, help “set up [rulers] without [His] consent” nor “choose [leaders] without [His] approval.”  Hosea tells us that there are rulers that God’s people can “set up” and “choose” that do not have His “approval.”  We must petition the Lord God to grant us a leader that He approves of to serve this nation.  We dare not vote in this election without serious prayer and with a full sense of faith and conviction that God is guiding our steps.  We dare not vote for any individual that would set aside the law of God and teaches others to do the same for such is the counsel of God’s Word. (Matthew 5:19)

In less than 30 days, we will be electing the next president of this nation.  May we seek grace from heaven, be informed on where those seeking office stand, repent for ourselves and our nation and trust the Holy Spirit within to confirm God’s consent and approval.  May we be willing to set aside all idols that may be consuming our life and commit ourselves to the True and Living God.

While we may belong to a political party and even subscribe to a political ideology, our ultimate allegiance is not to any particular party, candidate, or political platform, but to our only Lord and Sovereign King: the Lord Jesus Christ and His word.  “He will save us.” (Isa. 33:22)

’til next time,

Danny