Fighting

 

There is a verse in the book of 1st Peter that can speak powerfully to us as we honor those who serve in our military, who are involved in the work of our government, which Romans 13 tells us is ordained of God. Verse 17 states, "Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king."

Veterans Day is a day to honor those who have served, many throughout the years having laid down their lives, a visible reminder of what it means to sacrifice one's life. I don't believe we are called to take such service for granted, and we are called to show honor to "all people," and then the verse tells us to "honor the king."  We can be thankful for the people whom God has placed in authority and recognize faithful service.  

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Romans 13 speaks to us about authority, and we are reminded of the holy calling that God has given to those who serve in that capacity.  Our military is part of that authority structure.  Verses 3 and 4 of that 
chapter in Romans say:
3 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.
4 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.

On this Veterans Day, we can remember those who have been willing to give their lives for the sake of our country.  It was gratifying to me to see the large crowds that came out, in the midst of a pandemic that has been attributed with the loss of hundreds of thousands of Americans, to exercise a right - the right to vote, that has been earned, preserved, and defended by those who have served in our Armed Forces.  And, even though results are being challenged, we can continue to uphold the ideals of a democratic republic.  As Jeff Myers of Summit Ministries wrote recently for The Stream: "During this critical time in our nation it should be churches and people of faith who stand firm, not for our preferred candidate, but for justice and the rule of law to be upheld in our communities and in our electoral process."

In response, Myers, who is a scheduled guest on The Meeting House soon, encouraged Christians to do the following:

First and foremost, pray and fast to beseech God to intervene and restore justice in our land. Then, take action by studying the issue of election integrity at a website and contacting your state’s election officials to ensure that your vote was counted. If your state is one where corruption is suspected, ask God for wisdom in how to hold your elected officials accountable.

Tricia Goyer tells the story of a World War II veteran, LeRoy "Pete" Peterson, in her book, Stories from a Soldiers Heart. An excerpt that ran last year on the Crosswalk.com website included the story of this medic who found himself, as well as a Major serving with him, under fire from the Germans.  She tells the story in his voice:

I knew I had little protection and figured I was a goner since the Germans were firing from my side. Then, something amazing happened. As I lay there, I felt someone pushing on my back, pushing me deeper into the ground and telling me to get down.

Rounds three, four, and five landed on the jeep. There was nothing left. But as I lay in that ditch I had a sensation of protection, one I’ll never forget. When it was over, blood dripped from my nose and ears. The Major was okay, but I had concussion problems from the shells that shook the ground. It took five days of rest before I could resume my duties. And even though I looked fine on the outside, something had changed within.

I’d been a Christian since I was a small child, but I had even greater faith after feeling the protection of the Lord pressing upon me. I’m still a strong Christian today because of that experience. Many people can deny the fact that God exists, but not me. I’ve felt His hand... and heard His whisper in the midst of war.

First of all, we recognize those who have faithfully served our country on this Veterans Day.  They have contributed to obtaining and preserving the freedoms we enjoy today.  

Peterson is quoted as saying that he heard God's whisper in the midst of war. So, what are the wars you are facing today?  While the wars rage externally, or internally, we can lose a sense of knowing the promptings of the Holy Spirit.  Absorbing and applying God's Word can help restore a sense of peace and security, and we can be reminded that we are more than conquerors, as Romans 8 says, through Christ.

Veterans Day is certainly a time to remember.  We can remember incredible service and sacrifice and can reflect on the strong constitutional foundations of our nation.  We can also, as believers, rejoice in our foundation in Christ and in how we have seen God's hand in our lives.  And, we can think about the notion of sacrifices - those made by who serve in our military, and ultimate sacrifice made for humanity, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

Upon This Rock

The Bible speaks about building our lives on a strong foundation, a foundation that is centered on the truth of the Scriptures and person of Christ.  What flows from that foundation is addressed in 1st 
Corinthians 3:
11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
13 each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; 
and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.
14 If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
15 If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

We can consider whether or not we have built and are building our lives on that firm foundation.  If we have professed faith in Christ yet continue to be reliant on the world's systems and ideologies to govern our mindset and behavior, then we are not exhibiting the consistency that God would want for us. In a shifting culture, where the attempt is to adapt our practice of Christianity to the ways of the world, we have to remain tightly tethered to the ways and words of our Savior.

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In Matthew 16, we find that Jesus had traveled with His disciples to Caesarea Philippi, and asked them who people had said He was - the answer: perhaps John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or some other 
prophet. But, Jesus honed in on the truth; on a central principle that unites us as believers; we can read:
15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Hundreds of years after this declaration, according to a recent report, there may have been people who responded by building a literal church.  That's the word from a Christian Post article, which says:

The Times of Israel reports that the church might have been built in the area once known as Caesarea Philippi to commemorate the events recorded in Matthew 16.

Ruins of what is believed to have been a church building were recently found in Northern Israel "at the foot of a waterfall in the Banias Nature Reserve."

The Post relates:

University of Haifa Professor Adi Erlich, who announced the find in a Hebrew language video, noted that the area was also the site of an earlier temple to the pagan god Pan.

Erlich described the site to Haaretz as having “a continuity of holiness,” which involved “converting a site” from “one religion into one of another religion.”

He noted that, based on history, "When Christianity rose to power, they didn’t look for a new site, they converted a pagan site into a Christian site."  The Christian Post also says that, "Among the ruins was a large stone that had several small crosses etched into it, most likely from Christian pilgrims to the site who wanted to note that they had been to the church."

This discovery came through archaeology, through the study of what was left behind. They found that a church was likely built on the site where Jesus declared, "I will build My church."  We can consider what we are leaving behind...the Bible tells us to strengthen what remains, and relates to us about the importance of building on a strong foundation. 

So, what is that foundation? Let's look at the Scripture. What was the truth that "flesh and blood" had not revealed to Peter? "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."  That's it!  The Son of God, who would die and rise from the dead, would build an everlasting Church on that foundation, on the foundation of His triumph over sin and death.  And, our lives are built on "the rock," His firm foundation.  Not altered by shifting cultural trends, social upheaval, political changes, or even a worldwide virus.

In the midst of a world that is characterized by shift and instability, there are certain principles for the believer in Christ that are unchanged.  For one thing, our mission is unchanged - and by holding on to that mission, we can prevent the work of the Church in our communities from becoming a relic.  The Church will last forever, because Jesus will not abandon His Church; but, we have to remain connected to its work.  The Church will live because Jesus is alive. 

Holding on to Life

The Bible is clear about thoughts, intents, and actions that are not pleasing to God, and we have to
make sure that we are upholding His principles. Proverbs chapter 6 says:
16 These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

The Bible is an incredible measuring stick by which we compare ourselves.  We have to make sure that we are walking in honesty and integrity, devoted to upholding the truth.  We are also, as verse 17 says, called to not "shed innocent blood."  That can certainly apply to how we regard the most vulnerable among us, which most certainly refers to the unborn.  We have to make sure that our hearts are pure and our motives are in line with God's intentions for us.

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We submit to a Creator God, who has made us in His image and has formed us according to His
sovereign plan - Psalm 139 lays it out so beautifully:

13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

For those that say that the Scripture does not address abortion, this is a text that declares otherwise.  We are a creation of God, and the Bible says that we are not to take the life of His creation: "Thou shalt not kill!"

British efforts to allow, and in some reported cases, pressure pregnant women to have abortions of Down syndrome children are being stood against, according to a recent article at The Christian Institute website from the U.K., which says:

In the UK, abortion is permitted up to 24 weeks for most reasons but is available up to birth for children deemed to have a ‘severely life-limiting condition’ – including Down’s syndrome.

 The article says that one mother...

...said she was pressured to abort her daughter 15 times and was told at 38 weeks pregnant that she could change her mind right up until being induced.

Emma Mellor explained that “even though we made it really clear that it wasn’t an option for us” they “really seemed to push and really seemed to want us to terminate”.

Another mother says that she was pressured by a sonographer who was performing an ultrasound, and says, "The support was only there if I chose to have an abortion..."

But the good news is that a challenge to the law has been allowed.  The Christian Institute reports:

Earlier this month, a woman with Down’s syndrome was granted permission to challenge the current law on abortion at the High Court.

Heidi Crowter and fellow campaigner Máire Lea-Wilson said the law discriminates against unborn babies with the condition.

Nicola Enoch was also quoted in the article, as well as a piece on The Christian Post website, which says:

The U.K.'s government-funded NHS uses prenatal testing to find out whether a baby has Down syndrome, said Enoch. Then, it frames the baby as a disaster for the mother.

“It’s the subliminal messages that we don’t even realize. The tone of the conversation,” she said. “That tone of ‘I’m sorry’ and ‘this baby is to be avoided.’”

Research conducted by Positive about Down syndrome showed that upon receiving news from the NHS that their baby had Down syndrome, 69% of pregnant women were immediately offered an abortion. If they said no, NHS officials would ask them again. And again. One woman was asked 15 times, the BBC reported.

It is concerning when government promotes abortion, and Christians across America have taken a stand against that practice.  The availability of abortion during the entire pregnancy, taxpayer funding of abortion, and refusal to allow babies who survive abortion to receive proper medical care are all trends that have continued to influence American elections. But, state legislatures are continuing to pass pro-life bills that protect life at various stages and will likely be able to do more if and when Roe v. Wade is overturned.  No matter what the final outcome will be in the Presidential election, believers can continue to pray, stand, and be involved in speaking up for the unborn. 

We recognize that a disability should never be a valid reason for an abortion. The Joni and Friends Public Policy Center states...

...while data on the United States is limited, the most recent study estimates abortion rates following prenatal diagnoses have resulted in reducing the overall population of persons with Down syndrome by 30%. As usage of prenatal screening increases, research predicts termination rates will also increase as demonstrated by more reliable studies in the European context, which have consistently indicated an approximately 90-92% termination rate for preborn children diagnosed with Down syndrome.

It mentions a report from three years ago from Iceland that it had almost "eradicated" Down syndrome by "prenatal testing and abortion."  The policy brief goes on to say...

...when we intentionally end the life of a preborn child—with or without a disabling condition—we claim a right that is not ours to assume. Moreover, from a Christian perspective “weakness” and “suffering” are not things to be avoided at all costs. Instead, our own weaknesses often provide the greatest opportunity for God’s strength and power to be manifested, thereby bringing glory to him (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). This is just one of the ways in which God redeems the suffering and difficulties we face in life—including the challenges associated with having a disability.

This is the essence of why so many Christians do not believe they should vote for pro-abortion politicians - instead of "playing God," they should be interested in submitting to God, the one who is the author of life. 

Peace in Purpose

The Bible reinforces the notion that we are known by God, and that He desires for us to come to know 
Him and reflect His glory. There is a passage in 2nd Timothy 1 that begins with a rather familiar verse:
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,
9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began...

Knowing that we belong to Christ can bring a sense of peace, recognizing that He lives in our hearts and that He desires to work to bring us more in conformity to His will.  He has called us into a relationship with Himself, and He offers, according to Philippians chapter 4, a peace that passes all understanding - the result of a deep trust in Him to hear and answer our prayers.  Our confidence in the Lord flows from our deep commitment to know and obey Him.

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In Psalm 138, we find a reminder of God's hand on our lives, working in us so that we might know His peace and fulfill His purpose for us. We can read this:
6 Though the Lord is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me.
8 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Well, certainly, there has been an incredible amount of attention placed on the yet-to-be-decided election, and the weekend's coming.  It will be a wonderful time for Christians to attend our house of worship and perhaps refocus on what God says is truly most important in our lives, and that is our relationship with Him.

And, there will be opportunities to view sporting activities, as well. I'm not sure how to prove this, but the escape of sports was missing during those few months at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, which was probably not good for the American psyche. And, when major league sports did return, there were reports of lower ratings, which some have attributed to the mix of sports and politics that was present.  If people view sports as a source of "escape," reminders of tension and conflict in the world perhaps did not set well with fans.

Major League Baseball played an abbreviated schedule throughout the summer in empty stadiums, and the bulk of its playoff slate was in empty stadiums.  Finally, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series - Movieguide published some recent stories of faith elements present during the October Classic.

One story featured the manager of the Dodgers, Dave Roberts.  The story relates that Roberts, in his fifth season, led the Dodgers to their first World Series title since 1988.  The article says:

Before the start of the 2019 season, Roberts sat down with Scott Rae, a professor with the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, in Los Angeles, to discuss his faith in God.

“My faith has impacted the clubhouse because I live my life a certain way,” Roberts told Rae, the “Think Biblically” host. “There’s no question that I’m a believer. I can quite honestly say I live that the way I should, and I’m bold about that. But I am respectful of the profession and the job that guys have to do. So there’s a couple layers: number one, people knowing who I am inside and out, and I am consistent with that, and being open to listening and leading and trying to do things the right way. I think that people see Christ through me, and that’s sort of what we want to create in the clubhouse.”

Roberts related how his relationship with Christ affects his state of mind: "...at the end of the day, I feel that if I live my life and prepare the way and compete the way that Christ wants me to compete, I’ll live with any result.”  He elaborated by saying: "I do feel that I’m here for a greater purpose, and I do have a platform to share my faith and to make the men around me better people and see Christ in me. If their time comes that they get to know the Lord, great. I do have a job to do, and that’s that I work for the Dodgers. But I think that it gives me a really good peace where I have anxiety or stress, frustration, and I put it on God. I really do.”

The story also focused on Dodger great Clayton Kershaw, who has been known for His Christian faith and charitable work.

In the other dugout, a young man was making headlines by his post-season performance.  According to another Movieguide article, the Rays' Randy Arozarena, who broke Barry Bonds' rookie postseason home run record and Derek Jeter's postseason rookie hit record, made a strong statement in his second year, after starting the year with COVID-19.  Like Roberts, Arozarena has stated that he believes that God has a purpose for him.  The article relates:

Arozarena is candid about his faith on social media.

After the Rays’ win against the Yankees, clinching the team’s berth in the ALCS, Arozarena posted an image on Instagram with a caption that read, “God is great,” translated from Spanish.

Arozarena has captions on Instagram like, “If God has me here, it’s for a purpose,” and, “God makes everything possible.”

Arozarena also mentioned the peace of God activated in his life, relating that after joining the Rays from St. Louis: “Ever since I got traded over, it has been a very close-knit, family-like environment, and I felt very comfortable,” adding, “As far as the baseball side of things, I just let it be in God’s hands. I feel very relaxed.” The article reports that a movie is in the works about Randy's life.

Two men - one who has ended his playing career and who is in a managerial season now, and the other who is apparently just getting started - have both been speaking out about their faith.  When there is so much in this world to be anxious or disturbed about - COVID, the economy, tension in human relationships, and the election - we can continue to look for inspiring stories, and these instances from the world of sports can certainly motivate us to draw near to Christ and to prioritize our relationship with Him.  They both can also remind us to seek to walk in God's peace.

As Roberts and Arozarena remind us, God has a purpose for each of us. We are here because He wants us to enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ, and then, by His power, testify to the work of God in us. Our lives in Christ can transcend the turmoil and trial of the world, and our faith enables us to live an overcoming life. 

Voting in Line with Scripture

God is our source of wisdom in order to live a life that pleases Him - when we make Jesus our Lord, we have declared a new source of authority for our lives, and He offers us clear principles and the 
accompaniment of the Holy Spirit to make our decisions. Psalm 32 states:
7 You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.

We can hide ourselves in the Lord - that doesn't mean to hide out or withdraw from the world, but to be engaged in living for Christ and being clothed in His presence.  Ephesians 4 tells us to put off the old ways and put on the new.  Ephesians 6 describes the full armor of God.  The way we behave should be a testimony to presence of God within us, a presence that also goes before us to light our way, so that God may be glorified.

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In the selections that we are called to make, day by day, as well as when we vote in an election, we can follow the simple principles that we find in Proverbs 3:
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

The polling leading up to the election certainly had some differences with what we've seen thus far in the election results.  But, it does seem that there is certainty among one particular group of people - it was identified by polling expert George Barna in the 2016 election, and the people known as the SAGE Cons have continued to be influential in electoral politics. Barna is currently the Director of Research for the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University.

In fact, according to ChristianHeadlines.com, prior to the election, this group was again indicating support for the President, to an even greater degree. The article says:

The survey, which was commissioned by the Family Research Council (FRC), looked at a key group of conservative Christians known as SAGE Cons (Spiritually Active Governance Engaged Conservative Christians), who was the “most united body” of Trump supporters in the 2016 election.

In 2016, about 91 percent of SAGE Cons voted in the election with 93 percent of them voting for Trump. Four years later, the amount would increase with 96 percent of SAGE Cons who are likely to vote for the president for a second term.

But, the motivation in 2020 was slightly different among this group; as the article states: "When Trump ran against Hillary Clinton in 2016, SAGE Cons were reluctant in their vote for Trump, but they could not vote for Clinton because of her policies. In 2020, however, SAGE Cons feel more confident in voting for Trump in light of his first term achievements."

The top issues influencing this group?

Pro-life policies, at 52 percent indicating this was a key issue;

Religious freedom, 43 percent, tied with

Federal court appointments, also at 43,

Law and order, at 26 percent, and

The economy, with 24 percent.

The exit polling data is beginning to come in now for the 2020 Presidential race, with The Christian Post reported that:

Preliminary 2020 election exit polls released Wednesday suggest that President Donald Trump lost about 4 percentage points in white evangelical support compared to the 2016 election, but gained support in key demographics such as Catholics, Protestants, blacks and Latinos.

Early exit polling data conducted for The Washington Post and other media outlets indicates that Trump, the Republican incumbent, garnered 76% of the white evangelical vote, while former Vice President and Democratic nominee Joe Biden picked up 23% of the white evangelical vote.

The article did mention that this is "preliminary" data. While research Ryan Burge puts the vote among white evangelicals in the 76-77% range, the article notes that another survey offered a repeat of that familiar 81% stat from 2016, citing a poll from Public Opinion Strategies that found that "81% of self-identified evangelicals voted for Trump and only 14% voted for Biden."

This data, which will continue to roll in over the next few days and weeks and will be thoroughly analyzed in Christian media, does provide a reminder for all Christians: we should make sure that our decisions are based on Scripture and led by the Holy Spirit.  As I said throughout the campaign, we should vote for candidates that line up with the principles of God's Word.  It's a template that is based on a spiritual foundation of decision-making: recognize the authority of Scripture, submit to it, pray over our decisions, and trust God to lead us.  When we surrender to knowing and doing God's will, He will express His glory through us.

A War of Bullet Points (Update)

I believe that there is intense spiritual activity that is taking place today - there is a conflict in our land today, centered over ideology.  People have been making decisions for weeks and even months concerning the state of our nation, and we have to make sure that we are being spiritually-minded about the situations that are confronting us.  The Bible says in Ephesians chapter 6:
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness...

If voting is an act of worship, which I believe it is, then we have to consider how informed our choices are by the Scriptures.  We have to make a Biblical case for our vote. I shared this over a year ago: 

The question is not "what do we think," but "what does the Bible say?" And, when we encounter God's truth, then we can make it our aim to align with it; but we should always strive to make sure that God's Word is informing our beliefs - not allowing our beliefs to govern an incorrect rendering of the Word.

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Well, we made it!  Election Day has come and gone, and Americans have exercised their right as citizens in this incredible, free nation to make their voices heard. And, believers, just as in other decisions of life, have the responsibility to pray and be informed. We can rely on the leadership of the Holy Spirit to give us answers in life. Jesus said in John 16:
13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

It was October 2019 - the nation was in the midst of an "impeachment inquiry," which culminated in the following February with an acquittal for President Trump.  I shared a Front Room commentary at the time which played off some words of Franklin Graham, as well as Faith Radio programmer, Dr. Robert Jeffress.  Here is a portion of what I shared at the time:

Prominent evangelical leaders are voicing concern about the nature of the action against the President and the response to it.  Religion News Service did a piece on Franklin Graham, in which he is quoted as saying: “Our country could begin to unravel if an elected president is thrown out of office because of lies and the media,” adding, “It could be a devastating thing. We’re in very dangerous territory. I would encourage all the politicians to look very carefully at where we are and first of all make sure that truth is told.”  He believes the impeachment inquiry to be "nothing about nothing."  The article notes:

Graham’s defense of the president echoed that of fellow evangelical Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church Dallas, who has warned of a potential civil war if the House votes on impeachment and who has accused Democrats of worshipping the pagan god Moloch.

Well, let's examine that just a bit.  Ruth Graham, who is not to be confused with Franklin's sister of the same name, which she shares with their mother, wrote a comprehensive piece on the Slate website, albeit with a liberal slant.  The story was centered on Pastor Jeffress, and she writes that the Dallas pastor "warned that if Democrats remove Donald Trump from office, it would lead to 'a Civil War–like fracture in this nation from which this country will never heal.'"  She goes on to say:

The Civil War comments took off when Trump repeated them on Sunday evening, threading them into a four-tweet warning against impeachment. The specter of a president obliquely predicting violence in response to an investigation caused predictable consternation in Washington. But Jeffress, for his part, has only doubled down. The next day, in an interview with Todd Starnes on Fox’s Todd Starnes Show, he said he had chosen his words carefully, and was neither predicting nor advocating for a new civil war.

But, I did write that we are in a "a war of ideas that have polarized our nation.  The culture war is certainly not over, as some have contended, and Biblical truth has not been vanquished.  But, let's just look at the dynamics and the ideas at play."  Regardless of the outcome of the election, these issues remain unchanged. Here are some of the areas I listed:

There's the sanctity of life vs. abortion on demand...that is key; in fact, we see that people who are in favor of abortion tend to be more liberal and less Biblical on other positions, as well.  But, we are in a day where the taking of the lives of pre-born children has been redefined into a woman's right, and politicians and influencers have completely gone off the deep end in making sure this so-called "right" is preserved up until and perhaps even past the moment of birth.  A living human being cannot be reduced to a human right and this issue has generated passionate conflict in our nation.

Also, you see that God's view of sexuality is being challenged by the attempt to legitimize homosexuality and other forms of perversion, such as transgenderism. Those that pursue the LGBT agenda do not wish to consider the truth of the Bible and in fact, are attempting to soften the Church's stance on these sinful practices.  The legalization of gay marriage and other so-called "reforms," such as the Equality Act, stand in direct contrast to the Biblical worldview perspective, causing deep division in our nation.  Civil war?  Not bloodshed, but certainly a war of ideas and rhetoric.

The enemy recognizes that if he can keep Christians divided, then our witness is diminished.  There is a fierce conflict between identity in Christ and identity politics.  Our unity in Christ is threatened by division based on race, gender, and more.  Southern Baptists, at their annual convention this year, had a chance to repudiate Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality, which are ideas that divide people into oppressed and oppressor, victims and victimizers; rather, in a hasty procedure, they affirmed that these could be used as "analytical tools" that should be submitted to Scripture.

The Bible is a book of justice, but it is certainly not social justice.  Social justice seems to be based on blame and hostility, rather than the Biblical concepts of mercy and forgiveness.  You cannot legitimately people and groups alive today accountable for actions that were taken decades ago.  Rather than relive the past, we can seek God's help and apply His principles for the future.

The view of government is also a key issue.  As it's been pointed out on The Meeting House, the government does not grant rights, those are determined by God.  The government, through our Constitution, protects those rights that have been granted.  That's the beauty of that founding document.  However, there are those who, for some reason, believe that we need to try something else: socialism, which is a system that removes the concept of God our Creator and concentrates power in an authoritarian way.  Again, someone has to call the shots to determine how the resources are to be shared.  The Bible assigns government two responsibilites: to maintain order and to punish evil - the principle of limited government is consist with the Scriptural view.  However, there are those who would advocate for an overreaching government that would attempt to enter our lives in seemingly countless ways.

Back to the concept of the protection of rights now.  The Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of religion; not freedom of worship, as some have described it, where faith is practiced in the four walls for church.  No, we are called to have a robust practice of our faith, which has been so influential in our nation.  But, there are those who would want to suppress the practice of faith or to suppress Christianity, because the teachings of Christ stand in stark contrast to the ideas that are being pushed that do not value the worth of the individual or the sanctity of marriage.  Again, a civil war, you might ask?  Not with bullets, but with bullet points.

That is a part of my overall commentary from that day in October of last year. These are all important areas. I remember the Manhattan Declaration's commitment to uphold life, marriage, and religious liberty.  People of faith in America and abroad should have a desire to express their faith convictions freely, without government interference. We have seen instances, including a Supreme Court case that was heard earlier today, where faith-based individuals and companies are pressured to compromise their convictions.  Think about Jack Phillips. Barronelle Stutzman. Aaron and Melissa Klein. Little Sisters of the Poor. All currently or previously involved in legal action just because they wanted to be free to live according to their convictions.  There are aspirants for elected office who have shown they would like to use the heavy hand of government to infringe on your religious liberties.  And, the U.S. has become more devoted to exporting this Biblical idea of freedom of religion around the world.

I also outlined "other areas of contrast in this war."  This was my list:

Responsibility vs. Entitlement
Freedom of Conscience vs. Forced Submission
Belief in God vs. Belief in Humanity
Unconditional Love vs. Intolerance and Hostility Toward Faith 
Limited Immigration and the Rule of Law vs. Open Borders
Surrender to God's Law vs. Redefinition of God's Law
Respect for Authority vs. Disrespect for Authority
Support for Israel vs. Opposition to Israel

Since then, we have seen a marked rise in lawlessness and advocating of anarchy, which stands in contrast with a commitment to law and order.

The election has come and gone, and the God who raises up and deposes kings, according to the book of Daniel, has established a slate of leadership, for which we are called to pray.  So, what do we do now?  Plenty.  I was inspired by what my wife wrote several days ago, and I quote it with her permission:

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4 is coming.
How will God’s people face that day regardless of the previous day’s outcomes?
*By remembering that God is sovereign. He appoints leaders for His time and His purposes. Whoever wins this election is God’s choice (Romans 13:1). Railing against the results is shaking your fist at God and His sovereignty.
*By committing to not criticize, condemn, or slander any leaders in word or in deed (Ephesians 4:29). Where in the Bible are toxic words commended?
*By committing to pray for our leaders, no matter who they may be. Everyone is a soul for whom Christ died. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
*By showing the world that we are different because of God’s role in our lives by refusing to engage in worthless debate, chest beating, whimpering and whining, and utterances of despair, and an “all is lost” attitude. Instead, we model a quiet acceptance, a humble submission, and an attitude of hope and trust in the one Who is really in control. We continue to pray for God’s will to be done and ask Him to show us our place in His plan for this country and what we can do to bring Him glory and show His love.
If Christians go berserk, what hope can we offer the world?

God has a plan, and we are called to seek after and follow His will.  The election of a President, Congress, or other leaders is important, but how we live our lives in the spheres of influence to which we are called - that is far more important; through the faithfulness of Christians, that is how we can change our nation and change the world that Jesus died to save.

Soul

Daniel was faced with what seemed to be an impossible task, to not only identify the nature of the dream that Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar had, but to share an interpretation.  This was a task that 
required Godly wisdom, and we find in chapter 2 that Daniel said:
(20b) "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His.
21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.
22 He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him.

We need godly wisdom when we cast our ballots, and we can call upon God to express His will in the selection of our leaders.  In the course of the nation of Israel, we find that there were rulers who honored God and those who did not, all according to His sovereign plan. Even though we recognize that the ultimate choice is the Lord's, we have the opportunity to petition Him in prayer and to respond to the opportunity and the responsibility of casting a vote.  

+++++

In the book of Daniel chapter 9, we find the book's namesake interceding for his nation, which is a great example for all of us. We can read these verses:
3 Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
4 And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession, and said, "O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments,
5 we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments.

The confluence of Halloween with Election Day, just days apart has provided a feeding frenzy for thousands of individuals who claim to be witches, who are attempting to conjure up some magic to defeat President Donald Trump in his bid for re-election.

I kid you not - and I think we have to note that these self-proclaimed "witches" take the practice of witchcraft very seriously.  According to a recent CBN.com article, they are...

...celebrating the rare confluence of two "powerful" moon events in one month, all in an effort to get Joe Biden elected and President Trump removed from office.

Communicating via social media, the witches are plotting multiple "binding" events with their biggest attempt to spiritually attack the President on Oct. 31, right before the election. They've been using the hashtags #BindTrump and #MagicResistance, while calling for what they have named a "Blue Wave" spell on Oct. 31 and on Nov. 2.

This is not some group of outliers - CBN reports there are over 6,000 members of a Bind Trump (Official) Facebook group, and consider this:

Vice.com reports the witches are trying to figure out whose spell gave Trump the coronavirus. They say the announcement of the President's test result on Oct. 1 coincided with the harvest moon, which is significant to witches for its symbolism related to the changing of the seasons, and they believe a very potent full moon.

And, there is a full moon at the end of October, as a particular podcast host pointed out, prompting her to say, "I think the symbolism of it starting with a full moon and ending with a full moon also feels really powerful...It's bookended by these two incredible cosmic moments, and so that feels like a big portal for change and transformation as well."

I'm not sure if the candidates are really aware of who is vying for the "witch" vote, but I can say that there has been spiritual activity surrounding the election, as this article points out.  It states:

Christians have been fighting a spiritual battle for the soul of the nation, seeking God's mercy through a massive rally of repentance called "The Return", held in the nation's capital right at the end of September.

And numerous Christian groups and leaders have also been fasting and praying for a spiritual breakthrough, for revival, and for God's will to be done in the election.

In a blatant sign of the spiritual battle that's underway, Satanic protesters tried to disrupt a Christian outreach held by worship evangelist Sean Feucht in Seattle, but they failed to stop the move of God there.

It was reported that thousands attended a "Let Us Worship" rally led by Feucht recently on the National Mall in Washington, the same day that Franklin Graham called for a Day of Prayer and Fasting.  Graham had also conducted a prayer march in Washington the day of "The Return" - talk about a convergence.  Jim Garlow, in a recent e-mail, talked about numerous prayer efforts in Washington and the fact that people who are associated with prayer have been regularly visiting the nation's capital.  Garlow and dozens of other Christian leaders were part of a virtual prayer gathering this past Sunday afternoon (Dr. Garlow will provide post-election analysis on Wednesday's edition of The Meeting House).  This past Sunday evening, in the River Region, believers gathered in-person and online for the Awaken Night of Prayer at Frazer Church.  Last night, My Faith Votes sponsored an online prayer meeting.

So, on this Election Day, I have a simple question:  Are you in prayer for our nation?  I am reminded of the example of Daniel, who interceded for His people - the nation of Israel, who had been held captive by the Babylonians.  God's relationship with Israel illustrates to us that He does intervene in the lives of nations - He raises up and deposes kings, according to the book of Daniel, and He gives us in America that right to participate in the selection process, and I believe that He expects us to make those selections wisely, soberly, and in accordance with Biblical principles.  This is an incredible right we have as Americans, which many countries, including some who persecute Christians, nations remembered on the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, do not possess.

In this Presidential campaign, we have heard about the "soul of America" needs to be aligned with Biblical principles.  The soul of America, as founded, is centered around Biblical principles, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The soul of a nation is corrupted when the murder of unborn children is allowed to take place, when marriage is redefined to include action that is not pleasing to God, when God's authority is replaced by human wisdom, when government assumes the granting of rights, rather than Him. This is a spiritual struggle - these are all spiritual issues. Candidates talk about "American values" or "Alabama values;" we have to consider that criteria for determining those values, and we should choose Scripture.

And, keep in mind: There is no perfect candidate, and if you hold lack of sinfulness as a prerequisite for serving in public office, then we would have no leaders, no authority.  The Bible is a story about how a perfect God has used imperfect people to establish His Kingdom on earth.   And, we can pray for God to use His chosen vessels to do His powerful work.  

So, have you voted today?  If so, your job is still not done - you have a responsibility as a citizen of heaven and a citizen of earth to continue to pray for our leaders and to live and speak truth to our culture. And, no matter what the results, our mission is first and foremost to glorify God and display the love of Christ to a dying world.  We can unite our hearts and lives together in order to carry that out.