The purpose of this project is not to gather ammunition against those we disagree with, but to help us realize this is not the America we grew up in, to drive us to war on our knees against unrighteousness and unseen enemies that blind people to godliness and unity in society, and to setting free the captives.
It is for understanding the need for becoming informed and involved in our democratic process, which is truly a gift from God that we must never take for granted.
It is for learning about and countering the mistakes of our ancestors, and how to share the love and saving grace of Jesus Christ with those who are bringing about their own destruction and the destruction of civility in our nation.
It is to help us understand who we are as a nation, to learn that sacrificing for the good of others and society is necessary and is what God has called us to.
It is to learn that God is our provider, and faithfully provided for our ancestors; it is to learn how to counter the materialism that is drawing the heart of our society away from God to the comfort of the gifts He gave us, which is called idolatry.
It is to learn what God expects of us, not to be afraid of it, to follow where He leads, and learn to love sacrifice as we see God transform lives through our surrender to His will
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Why does the Church need to be involved in the culture?
There is much confusion in the Church about whether we should be involved in the culture, after all, some argue that as the Bride of Christ, as Christians, we are citizens of another kingdom and one that is not of this world. But it is very clear in the New Testament as well as the Old Testament, that it is very much the duty of the Christian to uphold the righteousness of the culture and to do any less is to shirk one's duty to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
There is, of course, much in the OT concerning God's people in the culture and government; Joesph, Daniel, David, the kings of Israel and Judah; God has very often had His people in positions of authority. But some say, this was OT times but we are now citizens of a heavenly kingdom and our main objective is to preach the gospel. This is only partly true, Jesus Himself tells us how to minister to the people around us in the parable of the sheep and goats(MT 25:34-46), the sermon on the mount, paying taxes(Mt 22:15-21), give to Caesar what is Caesar's such as(but not limited to)taxes, and the Good Samaritan.
Then some say this is not government involvement. Romans has much to say about obeying and honoring the authority in power, Paul uses very strong words here about being subject to the authorities. Verse 7 of chapter 13 says to give what is due the government and certainly God was looking forward to today's form of government when Paul wrote this, for in Paul's day people had little or nothing to say about the way the authorities ran the government but God has given us a very unique and precious gift in our form of government which is "of the people, by the people, and for the people"; we are the government, the people own the government, we hold elections, not for kings, but for representatives who are to do our bidding in Washington. WE are the governing powers of our nation! This means to obey the governing authorities is to be informed and actively sure our representatives are representing us. I Peter 2, Titus 3, and I Timothy 2, also say to submit to the authorities; if we do not keep our government accountable then we are going against scripture. Romans 13:2 says this is rebelling against God!
It is very clear we have let our representatives do as they please, or else have so little involvement that those who care little or nothing for God have come to power in our government. Important issues have have been left to those who do as they please without regard for God or respect for life.
We have walked away from our responsibility to uphold righteousness in our nation and our culture. It is very sobering to consider that we have permitted abortion to continue forty years, God will not let this continue; forty years of listening to the cry of incredible pain, terror, and horror as each child is torn apart or burned alive in his mother's womb! Child porn in which a child is subjected to unimaginable humiliation, and sometimes death on film to satisfy some perverted lust. What incredible patience God has had with us as God waits for us to rescue His little ones! The Church, if She would rise up as one and demand this sin in America stop, it would happen! The Church has failed to follow the the traditions of our nation's founders to be the leaders of this great nation, a gift to the world, the holder and distributor of the gospel of Christ; the nation to show the world a Godly culture. But the Church has fallen in love with Her God-given comfort and forgotten Her responsibility.
Ancient Israel was the Apple of His Eye, yet when they sinned He let their enemies rule over them. It is happening again today. We have let a Holocaust happen in the secret place of the womb, I tremble at what we may experience in America if we continue to luxuriate in our comforts over the cries of the children!
May God have mercy, may God waken the Church from Her stupor!
Pray for our nation! Pray for the Church to waken and humble Herself before Her Creator and rescue the children!
There is, of course, much in the OT concerning God's people in the culture and government; Joesph, Daniel, David, the kings of Israel and Judah; God has very often had His people in positions of authority. But some say, this was OT times but we are now citizens of a heavenly kingdom and our main objective is to preach the gospel. This is only partly true, Jesus Himself tells us how to minister to the people around us in the parable of the sheep and goats(MT 25:34-46), the sermon on the mount, paying taxes(Mt 22:15-21), give to Caesar what is Caesar's such as(but not limited to)taxes, and the Good Samaritan.
Then some say this is not government involvement. Romans has much to say about obeying and honoring the authority in power, Paul uses very strong words here about being subject to the authorities. Verse 7 of chapter 13 says to give what is due the government and certainly God was looking forward to today's form of government when Paul wrote this, for in Paul's day people had little or nothing to say about the way the authorities ran the government but God has given us a very unique and precious gift in our form of government which is "of the people, by the people, and for the people"; we are the government, the people own the government, we hold elections, not for kings, but for representatives who are to do our bidding in Washington. WE are the governing powers of our nation! This means to obey the governing authorities is to be informed and actively sure our representatives are representing us. I Peter 2, Titus 3, and I Timothy 2, also say to submit to the authorities; if we do not keep our government accountable then we are going against scripture. Romans 13:2 says this is rebelling against God!
It is very clear we have let our representatives do as they please, or else have so little involvement that those who care little or nothing for God have come to power in our government. Important issues have have been left to those who do as they please without regard for God or respect for life.
We have walked away from our responsibility to uphold righteousness in our nation and our culture. It is very sobering to consider that we have permitted abortion to continue forty years, God will not let this continue; forty years of listening to the cry of incredible pain, terror, and horror as each child is torn apart or burned alive in his mother's womb! Child porn in which a child is subjected to unimaginable humiliation, and sometimes death on film to satisfy some perverted lust. What incredible patience God has had with us as God waits for us to rescue His little ones! The Church, if She would rise up as one and demand this sin in America stop, it would happen! The Church has failed to follow the the traditions of our nation's founders to be the leaders of this great nation, a gift to the world, the holder and distributor of the gospel of Christ; the nation to show the world a Godly culture. But the Church has fallen in love with Her God-given comfort and forgotten Her responsibility.
Ancient Israel was the Apple of His Eye, yet when they sinned He let their enemies rule over them. It is happening again today. We have let a Holocaust happen in the secret place of the womb, I tremble at what we may experience in America if we continue to luxuriate in our comforts over the cries of the children!
May God have mercy, may God waken the Church from Her stupor!
Pray for our nation! Pray for the Church to waken and humble Herself before Her Creator and rescue the children!
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