November 7, 2024

                         Trump Is No David

After removing him (Saul), he raised up David as their king and testified about him, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man after my own heart, who will carry out my will.’ – Acts 13:22

The excuses have begun. People who voted for evil are comparing Donald Trump to King David. We all sin. David was certainly no exception. But the difference between the two men can be found in their hearts.

In 2 Samuel 12, the prophet Nathan confronted David over his sin with Bathsheba. David had not only committed adultery, but he had Bathsheba’s husband murdered. The LORD forgave David when he admitted he had sinned against God. 

David paid for his sin. The son Bathsheba conceived died. Nathan also told David that because of his sin, God had decreed that the sword would never leave David’s house. And it didn’t.

But let’s get back to David’s repentance. He accepted responsibility for his sins. Trump merely blames everyone else. He never takes responsibility for anything. Trump is nothing like King David.

Perhaps the important question for those already making excuses for Trump is why they feel the need to do so. He won. Our country has turned away from God and embraced evil.

I believe that God will work through this horrific time and show His Glory. Just as He did after Christians put Hitler into power and made excuses for him. I also know that the days ahead will be horrific. Will God’s people finally rise up against a would-be dictator and put God back on the throne? I don’t know.

Those of you who voted for Trump made a choice that was yours to make. Don’t now try to justify turning from God by throwing out Scripture. There is no justifying what you’ve done.

November 6, 2024

                             Rejecting God

But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.

– 1 Samuel 8:6-7

Evil prevailed yesterday. Dishonesty and greed and arrogance won. It is a struggle to try and understand how God would allow such a thing to happen.

After much prayer, the Holy Spirit led me to 1 Samuel 8. Then I understood. My heart remains broken. I will never look at many “Christian” friends the same. I’m sure they would say the same about me. Satan’s victory has left a lasting scar.

Samuel was growing older. His two sons were to judge God’s people but they weren’t like Samuel. They turned aside for dishonest gain, accepted bribes and perverted justice. That’s what the Bible says.

God’s people demanded a king instead. This upset Samuel and he took it to the LORD. God told the people what would happen but still gave them the king they demanded. Feel free to read further about King Saul. Oftentimes what we think we want, is not at all what’s best for us.

God told Samuel that the people were rejecting Him and not Samuel. Yesterday people who claimed to follow Jesus rejected Him, choosing instead an idol and their own selfish ambitions over honor, mercy, kindness and love.

Does it still break my heart? Absolutely. I clearly see the destruction that awaits. But, unfortunately for us all, some people must learn lessons the hard way.

I think back to Hitler, a man Trump has said he admires. The German population at that time was about 99 percent Christian and only 1 percent Jewish. The Christians overwhelmingly supported Hitler. It allowed Hitler to gain great power and murder many, many innocent people. Do you believe the concentration camps were horrific? Do you believe such a thing can never happen again? It can. Really. It can.

Trump has vowed retaliation against those who spoke against him. He has said that Liz Cheney should be shot. That the “fake” media could be shot and he would be okay with that. The Bible clearly says that vengeance belongs to God. I doubt Trump knows or cares about what God says.

The American people made their choice yesterday. May God have mercy on us all.

November 2, 2024

                 What’s In Your Heart?

“You have heard it said to our ancestors, ‘Do not murder,’ and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Whoever insults his brother or sister will be subject to the court. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire.”

– Matthew 5:21-22

Surely I’d misunderstood. I watched the clip again. No. I hadn’t misunderstood. Donald Trump really said it.

He said that Liz Cheney, former congresswoman from Wyoming, should be shot. Her great sin? She opposes Trump and has vowed to use her influence to keep him from being elected again.

Why am I surprised? This is a man who incited the January 6th assault on the United States Capitol. He says he admires Hitler. And he vows revenge on anyone who disagrees with him.

I will likely never understand how Christians can support such a candidate. I hear all the excuses. They claim they aren’t voting for the man but rather for the values and policies he represents.

How can anyone support a candidate who thinks that those who disagree with him belong in jail or in a coffin? That’s not from Jesus. That’s not about love or mercy or kindness.

I am appalled by Trump. I have been for quite some time. But what saddens me most are those people who attend church every Sunday and still believe Trump’s words and actions are acceptable.

One day we will all be judged by what’s in our hearts. What’s in yours? Do you think that those who disagree with you deserve death? Do you spew out ugly names toward those who believe differently than you do?

Donald Trump continues to divide our country and our churches. He does this because we allow it. Jesus said to love people. The Bible even tells us to love our enemies. We are to pray for those who persecute us.

I pray for Donald Trump’s soul. I also pray for you and me and for our great nation. Will we stand up for what Jesus truly said? Or will we fall to Satan’s lies?

Following Jesus isn’t about attending church on Sunday mornings. It’s about what’s in your heart. Your reaction to Trump’s words reveal what’s truly in your heart.

September 19, 2024

 

Who Will You Follow?

But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. – James 1:14

Nazi Germany was filled with Christians. In fact, 95 percent of the population were either Protestant or Catholic. They followed Hitler. They turned a blind eye to evil. They believed the propaganda. They followed evil rather than God.

Why do I bring this up? Because I see the same thing happening now in our country. Christians are following evil and trying to justify it by claiming to follow their Christian “values.” They claim they aren’t following Trump but rather what he stands for regarding policies and values.

Did the Christians who followed Hitler believe they were following Jesus? Did they justify turning a blind eye to evil because it would benefit them financially? Did they choose to walk away rather than stand up for what is right?

I can’t make excuses for lies. I especially can’t make excuses for lies that harm people who were created in God’s image. Haitians - who are here legally – shouldn’t be persecuted to advance one man’s political agenda. That’s just wrong.

I can’t refuse to listen to a man who has repeatedly said that if elected he will use our government to punish those who opposed him. He has said he will release from prison those who stormed the capitol. He has told Christians they only need to vote once more and then they’ll never have to vote again.

How can anyone not hear his words? This is not the media distorting the truth. These are things Trump has said repeatedly.

My next question is this: why? Are you afraid that your life will change if you follow the Bible and welcome foreigners? Are you watching your bank account instead of reading your Bible? Have you turned a hard heart toward the poor?

Blindly following someone who doesn’t follow Jesus will lead us down a path of evil. In many ways, it already has. There is just so much hatred in our country today. And it is being fueled by political rhetoric based on lies and fear mongering.

Are you going to be a part of that? Or are you going to follow Jesus?

September 10, 2024

                            A Country Divided

Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. – Matthew 12:25

Jesus was casting out demons and, as always, His critics were nearby. They claimed that Jesus was working on the authority of Satan. Jesus’ response was to ask a question: why would Satan work against his own evil spirits by casting them out?

We must either follow Jesus or follow the world. And we must do so while the world taunts us with lies.

Abraham Lincoln recognized this truth when he said that a house divided against itself cannot stand. Lincoln was speaking about slavery. He opposed slavery. Lincoln expected that the nation would become either all slavery or all not. The year was 1858. Fortunately, Lincoln won that election.

So here we are again, a nation divided. In Sunday school class I wrote two lists on the board and asked class members what the lists had in common. The lists included men and women, Christian and Muslim, Democrat and Republican. heterosexual and homosexual, wealthy and poor, highly educated and uneducated. I could go on and on but you get the point.

What’s the common denominator? Jesus loves every single person on that list just as much as He loves you and I. He died for every one of us. We are ALL created in the image of God. Male and female. Black and white. Hispanic. Asian. And on and on.

Right now we have people who truly believe they are better, and smarter, than others. It reminds me of Nazi Germany. Is that harsh? The truth often is. When Christians blindly follow and excuse evil in their midst, horror results. Nazi Germany was filled with Protestants and Catholics and a few other religions. Some supported Hitler. Others remained silent. A few dared to speak out.

The United States is divided. Some support a would-be dictator. Others fear a female leader. Some reach for change and unity. Which way will we go?

My mind remembers the horror of January 6th when rioters – supported by Donald Trump – stormed the United States Capitol and attempted to take control of the government and prevent the certification of election results. The possibility of a recurrence of that day frightens me. I hope it frightens you.

I love our country and our democracy. But, as Jesus said, a house divided against itself cannot stand. How will you vote? Will you vote?

Jesus was assaulted with lies and fear-mongering. He was wise enough to see it and respond accordingly, casting aside the lies and speaking truth. How about you? Are you wise enough to see the lies and cast them aside?