Security and Safety – Dobra Family Ministry

Household Prayer: investing in Gospel dominion

“For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/2th.3.10.NASB2020

Brothers meditating on several passages based on some comments from the FLF conference. First, “Do not outsource or subcontract the discipline and instruction of your children in the Lord.” by Larry Taunton. A paraphrase, “Education is a product that costs money to develop and distribute. If you want a quality education product delivered in a loving community, then it will have a cost.” And “Money is bullets to be aimed at the enemy in the fight.”

In a time of entitlement, when many want or feel they deserve everything provided for free and often from the government (like ‘school choice’ handouts), I’m meditating on Gen. 3:19, 2 Thess. 3:10, and 1 Tim. 5:8 and praying we heads of households depend on God’s provision and work hard to provide all the tools, resources, and means for our wives and ministry of our children’s education. I pray we not fall into the traps of entitlement and demand a handout “like the nations” (1 Sam. 8:10-20). And whatever our lot, I pray we give all glory and thanks to God the provider of all good gifts! (Psalm 103) May God establish the work of our hands. (Psalm 90:17)

Take dominion. Make disciples. By faith (Heb. 11:1-3,4,5…), get to work subduing and ruling, working and keeping, being fruitful and multiplying (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15), and making disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18-20) for “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10)

Rule yourself well, rule your household well, and bring God’s truth and grace into every sphere of life that you enter into until every nation proclaims “Jesus is Lord!” – Amen

Take Dominion

“There is an obvious way to take dominion of the earth, then, and it is simply through obeying God… One simple act of obedience, which Knox fulfilled, is marriage and child-rearing… Those who are committed to raising and nurturing godly families are doing some of the greatest kingdom work imaginable… When you raise godly children, they eventually raise godly children of their own, who raise godly children of their own, and on it goes… God commands us to take dominion of the earth by ruling over it for His glory. He reveals that the best way to take dominion is through the fulfillment of the Great Commission… As we do this, entire nations will eventually be Christianized for Christ… You need to study the Scriptures to learn doctrines. Then, by applying the doctrines, we take dominion. The movement is always from doctrine to dominion.” Resist Tyrants, Obey God: lessons learned from the life and times of John Knox https://press.founders.org/shop/resist-tyrants-obey-god/

“Paul fundamentally admonishes parents—specifically fathers—to raise their own children… The job of raising children does not belong directly to the school, society, church or the youth group. It belongs to parents. According to the Apostle Paul, it doesn’t take a village to raise a child. It takes a dad.” Discipline In The Home https://founders.org/articles/discipline-in-the-home/

“Parenting has consequences. Every word, every habit, every moment — it all shapes the soul of your child.” https://youtu.be/vIThYlPNKws?si=lq0yLNawd96AMDSH

“By the sweat of your face You shall eat bread, Until you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.”” Genesis 3:19 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/gen.3.19.NASB2020

“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:8 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/1ti.5.8.NASB2020

“Bless the Lord, my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, my soul, And do not forget any of His benefits… Bless the Lord, all you works of His, In all places of His dominion; Bless the Lord, my soul!” Psalm 103:1-2, 22 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.103.1-22.NASB2020

“May the kindness of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.90.17.NASB2020

“And he said, “This will be the practice of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and put them in his chariots for himself and among his horsemen… He will also take your daughters and use them as perfumers, cooks, and bakers. He will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants. And he will take a tenth of your seed and your vineyards and give it to his high officials and his servants. He will also take your male servants and your female servants, and your best young men, and your donkeys, and use them for his work. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his servants. Then you will cry out on that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you on that day.” Yet the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, “No, but there shall be a king over us, so that we also may be like all the nations, and our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”” 1 Samuel 8:10-20 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/1sa.8.10-20.NASB2020

THE GOOD NEWS

There is a God that created the heavens and the earth. We humans are created in His image.

We are sinners, we have rebelled against Him, our Creator. Our rebellion has brought “all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice… envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness” to the world. Romans 1:29-31 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.1.29-31.ESV

Therefore we justly deserve our due punishment of death and damnation, “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’” Romans 3:10-12 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.3.10-12.ESV

But good news! God is merciful and loving. Jesus is God the only begotten Son and He took our punishment upon Himself in our place. Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death and securing the hope of our salvation.

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.15.3-8.ESV

““Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”” Acts 2:36-38 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/act.2.36-38.ESV

We need only repent and believe it. Repent: turn away from our sins, proclaim Jesus is lord and savior, and we will be forgiven our sins and have life ever after! “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”” Romans 10:9-11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.10.9-11.ESV

There is hope. Believe in Jesus! ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.3.16.ESV

It doesn’t matter who you’ve been or what you’ve done, God stands with arms wide open, ready to forgive you. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.1.9.ESV

Household Prayer: sharpen our arrows for the cosmic battle!

“And I will make enemies Of you and the woman, And of your offspring and her Descendant; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise Him on the heel.”” Genesis 3:15 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/gen.3.15.NASB2020

Brothers, meditating on the epic cosmic battle: Seed of the serpent vs seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15). I heard it asked at the FLF conference, “Why aren’t we taking shots at the seed of the serpent?” How? One way is our descendants, our offspring, like arrows! (Psalm 127:3-5) I pray we sharpen our children (Eph. 6:4,10-12) for the battle!

“¶Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.127.3-5.NASB2020

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord… Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:4, 10-12 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/eph.6.4-12.NASB2020

Household Prayer: 10/7 Praying for Justice

““Whoever sheds human blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made mankind.” Genesis 9:6 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/gen.9.6.NASB2020

Justice

Brothers, on this 2nd anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel my heart is heavy for that event and all of the unjust lawlessness in our communities today. Meditating on Gen. 9:6, Ex. 20:13, and Num. 35. I am crying out to God for justice! I’m praying we stand bold for the atoning justice to heal our land even while praying for the salvation of those that need to be facing the death penalty. “…no atonement can be made for the land for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of the one who shed it.” Numbers 35:33

Maybe soft on crime injustice is sending the wrong message? “young people in Peoria…involved in violent crimes…six juveniles are currently facing …(RICO) charges for at least three murders and 12 shootings” https://x.com/mickdobra/status/1953935668242968892?s=46&t=Ag2lESY3ntUopWo1gN17hwi

“Peoria Police responded to calls about gunshots at a house on North Sheridan Road… Teen, man killed 15-year-old, hid him in carpet” Prosecutors: Teen, man killed 15-year-old, hid him in carpet

“The city of Peoria has seen an increase in shootings, specifically targeted attacks, according to Chief of Police Eric Echevarria.” Peoria experiencing increase in targeted shootings, Police Chief says | CIProud.com

“Father of 22-year-old woman who was brutally killed by a career criminal, absolutely unleashes during a House hearing against soft-on-crime policies. “[He] dragged her out of bed naked, forced on her knees with her hands over her head … BANG! Dead. Gone.” “Why? Because Alexander Davante Dickey, who was arrested 39 godd*mn times, 25 felonies, was on the street…” https://x.com/collinrugg/status/1972716966831120601?s=46&t=Ag2lESY3ntUopWo1gN17hw

“A grieving grandmother calls out D.C.’s unjust sentencing policies.” “He shot my grandson in cold blood SEVEN TIMES. And they didn’t consider that as first-degree murder? “The bottom line is that murder in D.C. is treated as a joke when it comes time to justice.” https://x.com/senjudiciarygop/status/1973029612319035852?s=46&t=Ag2lESY3ntUopWo1gN17hw

“A man who broke into a house and stabbed a child to death is now walking free. One of the most heinous miscarriages of justice in American history” https://x.com/mattwalshblog/status/1974176800960893033?s=46&t=Ag2lESY3ntUopWo1gN17hw

“The lesson to be learned here is that the state will inevitably fall into unlawful and ungodly rulings if the voice of God’s people is kept silent.” A Revolutionary Reading of Romans 13 https://press.founders.org/shop/a-revolutionary-reading-of-romans-13/

““You shall not murder.” Exodus 20:13 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/exo.20.13.NASB2020

““Whoever sheds human blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made mankind.” Genesis 9:6 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/gen.9.6.NASB2020

“‘… the murderer must be put to death.” Numbers 35:16 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/num.35.16.NASB2020

“…no atonement can be made for the land for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of the one who shed it.” Numbers 35:33 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/num.35.33.NASB2020

“for [the civil authority] is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.” Romans 13:4 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/rom.13.4.NASB2020

“He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.” Proverbs 17:15 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.17.15.ESV

“It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice.” Proverbs 18:5 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.18.5.ESV

“To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” Proverbs 21:3 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.21.3.ESV

“When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.” Proverbs 21:15 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.21.15.ESV

“You shall not distort justice, you shall not show partiality; and you shall not accept a bribe, because a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and distorts the words of the righteous. Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, so that you may live and possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” Deuteronomy 16:19-20 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/deu.16.19-20.NASB2020 

“Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,” will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations, but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.” Proverbs 24:24-25 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.24.24-25.ESV

“Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.” Proverbs 25:26 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.25.26.ESV

“Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely. When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves. Proverbs 28:5, 12, 18 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.28.5-18.ESV

“When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.” Proverbs 29:2 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.29.2.ESV

“A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.” Proverbs 29:7 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.29.7.ESV

“When the wicked increase, transgression increases, but the righteous will look upon their downfall.” Proverbs 29:16 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.29.16.ESV

“‘You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but you shall judge your neighbor in righteousness.” Leviticus 19:15 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/lev.19.15.LSB

“The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, And His soul hates one who loves violence. He will rain coals of fire upon the wicked, And brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup. For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; The upright will see His face.” Psalm 11:5-7 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.11.5-7.NASB2020

Household Prayer: normal means to provide and protect

“And He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his cloak and buy one.”” Luke 22:36-38 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/luk.22.36-38.NASB2020

Praying we provide for our families! Praying we use all of the means God has given us to provide and protect ourselves and families (Lk 22:36). Duty is ours, results are gods. I pray we prepare, train, and carry out all of our duties for the glory of God. “But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his cloak and buy one.”

Before Christ’s time had come, He protected the disciples:

“Go; behold, I am sending you out like lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no money belt, no bag, no sandals, and greet no one along the way.” Luke 10:3-4 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/luk.10.3-4.NASB2020

After His time had come and He was finishing His earthly ministry, He tells the disciples “they were to use normal means to provide for their own support and protection”:

“And He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me: ‘And He was counted with wrongdoers’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.” They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”” Luke 22:36-38 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/luk.22.36-38.NASB2020

THE MACARTHUR STUDY BIBLE note: Luke “22:36 But now. When Christ sent them out before, He had sovereignly arranged for their needs to be met. Henceforth they were to use normal means to provide for their own support and protection. The money bag, knapsack, and sword were figurative expressions for such means (the sword being emblematic of protection, not aggression).”

We are to use normal means to provide for and protect ourselves

When the men of a nation turn away from God they also tend to turn away from their responsibility to defend their families, communities, and nation!

“They chose new gods; Then there was war in the gates; Not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel.” Judges 5:8

Deborah was mocking the men of Israel after God gave her the victory! “for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Judges 4:9

“Many don’t feel a responsibility to be prepared to protect their spouses and children when that primal task can be outsourced; just call 911. A moral vanity has trumped the obligation to protect their lives and the lives of those they love; that is the job of the police in a civilized society, after all… Self-reliant men, capable of extreme violence in defense of their lives, their families, and of freedom makes some people nervous.” — In the Blood: A Thriller (Terminal List Book 5) by Jack Carr (emphasis added) https://a.co/bgOdVwy

Turn to God in Hope!

“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. All that you do must be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/1co.16.13-14.NASB2020

Trust in God, Duty is ours, Results are His

Household Prayer: capable to defend our families https://ministry.family.blog/2024/08/15/household-prayer-capable-to-defend-our-families/

Household Prayer: And blessed be God Most High https://ministry.family.blog/2025/01/17/household-prayer-and-blessed-be-god-most-high/

Prayer Meeting: Prophetic Voice of Truth HB2827

Sing Psalm 144

https://youtu.be/XmCOpPFg1OY?si=9ttNsQ8P56MYF_Z7

being the prophetic voice against HB2827 (1 Tim. 3:15, Mark 6:17-18)

“As the pillar and buttress of truth (1 Tim. 3:15), the local church is to have a prophetic voice in various spheres of society, promoting biblical truth… how else can magistrates be held accountable to that message except from the prophetic voice of the church? In this way, Christians, especially ministers ordained to gospel ministry, ought to engage in this governmental sphere prophetically… John the Baptist serves as a prophetic example… Mark 6:17-18.” From “A Revolutionary Reading of Romans 13: A Biblical Case for Lawful Subjection to the Civil Magistrate and Dutiful Resistance to Tyrants” Timothy L. Decker, Founders Press 2023. https://press.founders.org/shop/a-revolutionary-reading-of-romans-13/

Has the Church even spoken out prophetically?

“If [a gospel minister] shall speak straight out & boldly, fearless of man, & only fearful lest he should grieve his God, he will stir the kennels of hell, & make all the hounds of Satan howl at his heels.” Charles Spurgeon

2) if it passes:

a) remaining, resisting and obeying God rather than men and facing the legal and social persecution (Acts 5:29)

“If the civil magistrate does not uphold what is prescribed to him in Romans 13:3-4 and the church’s prophetic voice has been ignored, then at that point the Christian finds it his duty to resist those who act dishonorably and out of alignment with the prescriptions of Scripture (esp. Rom. 13:3-4)…

“God’s law makes it clear that parents are to rule and raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Any man who does not take care of his family is worse than a pagan (1 Tim. 5:8)… Governments that incentivize single parenting and then take on the role of absentee father, providing income and shelter, are wicked. The moment civil government inserts itself in such ways, it has moved beyond the overlap of influence and entered into overreach…

“When governments extend themselves beyond this very narrow calling to which God has tasked them [Rom. 13:3-4]… then the church with its prophetic voice must call its own magistrate back from its desire to ever expand its influence. A good example would be the role of a ‘department of education.’ Is it the state’s responsibility to educate children and young adults? According to Romans 13, that does not seem to be included. Therefore, Christians should not be silent on such matters.” A Revolutionary Reading of Romans 13: A Biblical Case for Lawful Subjection to the Civil Magistrate and Dutiful Resistance to Tyrants” Timothy L. Decker, Founders Press 2023 https://press.founders.org/shop/a-revolutionary-reading-of-romans-13/ emphasis added

If you and your church have not been speaking out and discipling on this issue, then confess and repent!

It does not “take a village” to raise a child! It takes one man and one woman committed to each other and to God’s purpose and plan for their marriage. In other words – a natural family. God has provided and families need support communities of extended family and church groups. These support communities and civil governments, i.e. “villages,” should support the natural family’s role in raising their children, but should not subvert the parents God given rights. Unfortunately two current philosophies endorse the “village” subversion of parental rights and duties in our culture today: communism and humanism.

The communists see all lives as economic property of the state, and therefore, for example, “‘The worker-mother must learn not to differentiate between yours and mine; she must remember that there are only our children, the children of Russia’s communist workers.’” (“The Natural Family: Bulwark of Liberty” by Carlson and Mero, page 36)

Humanists (Atheistic or Secularist) see the family as a man made system that can be altered by those in power to their own needs, and therefore, “The day care center, . . . not the disintegrating home, represented the new human order. In the former, small children could be rescued from the shallow views of their parents, and reprogrammed for life in an androgynous, cooperative socialist order.” (“The Natural Family: Bulwark of Liberty” by Carlson and Mero, page 48)

b) relocation with a great commission strategy like the pilgrims to America (Jeremiah 29:5-7, Matthew 5:14-16)

3) if it fails: plan to worship and give thanks (Gen. 14:14-16, 18-20, 1 Sam. 11:11,13b, 15)

Pray

That Christ’s church would not be silent but speak a prophetic voice of God’s truth to civil authority that has rejected its God ordained responsibility and has taken for itself authority that God has not given.

We pray God would defeat IL house bill 2827.

We pray, if it is passed, that those that choose or must remain would obey God rather than men. That God would give them wisdom on when and how to refuse to submit His image bearers to Caesar in peaceful disobedience. We pray they will not fall away into apathy and compliance with the godless. We pray for perseverance in persecution.

We pray for those that flee that they go in full trust in the Lord and obedience to the creation mandate and great commission.

If the bill is defeated, we pray God’s people would gather in thanksgiving for God’s victory and worship Him.

Sing Psalm 24

https://youtu.be/990Q_yPIKeM?si=Ra_PR0IBpv16uwl-

Household Prayer: Saint Valentine defiance of tyrants and obedience to God still relevant today

“First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/1ti.2.1-2.NASB2020

Brothers, thinking about Saint Valentine. A pastor martyred for his faith because he obeyed God and defied the state when Emperor Claudius II tried to encroach outside of the God ordained role for civil authority and tried to become authoritarian over the sphere of marriage and family. The battle is still raging today with IL HB2827 – Homeschool Authoritarianism bill. Sounds like our voices are being heard, but keep praying (1 Tim. 2:1-2) and keep respectfully and peacefully calling and writing your representatives. IFI, ICHE, and HSLDA are great organizations to join and follow. I pray, like Pastor Valentine, that we trust in God and in His plan and not in “a king to judge us like all the nations.” (1 Sam. 8)

Illinois Family Institute https://illinoisfamily.org/education/illinois-homeschooling-freedoms-at-risk/

ICHE https://iche.org/node/7541

HSLDA https://hslda.org/legal/illinois/news

Saint Valentine, or Valentinus, has an important story to share with us today! https://ministry.family.blog/2023/02/11/saint-valentine/

Household Prayer: Marriage, Households, and the battle of the cosmos https://ministry.family.blog/2022/02/09/household-prayer-marriage-households-and-the-battle-of-the-cosmos/

Household Prayer: the mission of marriage is greater than the Roman Empire https://ministry.family.blog/2024/02/28/household-prayer-the-mission-of-marriage-is-greater-than-the-roman-empire/

“When governments extend themselves beyond this very narrow calling to which God has tasked them [Rom. 13:3-4]… then the church with its prophetic voice must call its own magistrate back from its desire to ever expand its influence. A good example would be the role of a ‘department of education.’ Is it the state’s responsibility to educate children and young adults? According to Romans 13, that does not seem to be included. Therefore, Christians should not be silent on such matters.” A Revolutionary Reading of Romans 13: A Biblical Case for Lawful Subjection to the Civil Magistrate and Dutiful Resistance to Tyrants” Timothy L. Decker, Founders Press 2023. https://press.founders.org/shop/a-revolutionary-reading-of-romans-13/ emphasis added

“and they said to him, “Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint us a king to judge us like all the nations.”” 1 Samuel 8:5 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/1sa.8.5.NASB2020

“And the Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people regarding all that they say to you, because they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being King over them… And he said, “This will be the practice of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and put them in his chariots for himself and among his horsemen, and they will run before his chariots. He will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to do his plowing and to gather in his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will also take your daughters and use them as perfumers, cooks, and bakers. He will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants. And he will take a tenth of your seed and your vineyards and give it to his high officials and his servants. He will also take your male servants and your female servants, and your best young men, and your donkeys, and use them for his work. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his servants. Then you will cry out on that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you on that day.”” 1 Samuel 8:7, 11-18 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/1sa.8.7-18.NASB2020

Household Prayer: And blessed be God Most High

“And blessed be God Most High, Who has handed over your enemies to you.” And he gave him a tenth of everything.” Genesis 14:20 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/gen.14.20.NASB2020

Brothers, meditating on Gen. 14:20. Credit for the victory goes to God. Abraham and his servants had prepared, trained, and did their duty (Gen. 14:14), but the glory for the results is God’s. I pray we give God the credit, glory, and our thanksgiving. And I pray we prepare, train, and carry out all of our duties for the glory of God.

“When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, numbering 318, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.” Genesis 14:14 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/gen.14.14.NASB2020

“And blessed be God Most High, Who has handed over your enemies to you.” And he gave him a tenth of everything.” Genesis 14:20 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/gen.14.20.NASB2020

“Blessed be Yahweh, my rock, Who trains my hands for war, My fingers for battle; My lovingkindness and my fortress, My stronghold and my deliverer, My shield and He in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me.” Psalm 144:1-2 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/psa.144.1-2.LSB

Household Prayer: capable to defend our families
https://cybermick.com/category/family/security-and-safety/

And since we are talking about Genesis 14 and there is a real danger of feminism and false masculinity in the church today, here is a great Founders Ministries podcast episode. “Today on The Sword & The Trowel podcast, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden discuss the physical and temporal needs that face churches today particularly in areas of self defense.”
X https://x.com/foundersmin/status/1877445241663533136?s=46&t=Ag2lESY3ntUopWo1gN17hw

YouTube https://youtu.be/9_JPYY6WM80?si=mKQbXRdA-XqE85Mc

American Constitution
AMENDMENT II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Militia: an army composed of citizens… called up in time of emergency. (Webster’s 2010)

There are four places in the American Constitution that affirm the Militia’s prior existence, and no law can alter it. The militia is all able bodied members of a community.

Article I, Section 8, Clauses 15 & 16:

[The Congress shall have Power To…]

Clause 15: [ ] “To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;”

Clause 16: [ ] “To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;”

Article II, Section 2, Clause 1:

“The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States…”

AMENDMENT II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

From the Founders… Original Intent

“[T]he said Constitution [should] be never construed … to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms.”
SAMUEL ADAMS, Signer of the Declaration, “Father of the American Revolution” …

“A free people ought … to be armed.”
GEORGE WASHINGTON, US. President, Signer of the Constitution …

“[N]o man should scruple or hesitate a moment to use arms in defense.”
GEORGE WASHINGTON, US. President, Signer of the Constitution …

“The people are not to be disarmed of their weapons. They are left in full possession of them…. This is a principle which secures religious liberty most firmly.”
ZECHARIAH JOHNSTON, Revolutionary Soldier, Virginia Legislator, Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution

“I am thus far a Quaker [a pacifist]: I would gladly agree with all the world to lay aside the use of arms and settle matters by negotiation; but unless the whole will, the matter ends, and I take up my musket and thank Heaven He has put it in my power.
THOMAS PAINE, Patriot, Author

Quotes from “The Second Amendment” by David Barton

Fear God, Make disciples, Protect your family!

“When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he assembled his 318 trained men, born in his household, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.” Genesis‬ ‭14:14‬ ‭CSB‬‬

“The right to life is a good example of what legal historians refer to as an objective right: it is objective in the sense that it exists outside ourselves and is unalienable… The right to life imposes obligations: you must do everything in your power to preserve it.”
#SlayingLeviathan https://canonpress.com/products/slaying-leviathan/

AMENDMENT II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
https://ministry.family.blog/america/second-amendment/

“Religion and liberty must flourish or fall together in America. We pray that both may be perpetual.” Pastor William Smith, Christ Church Philadelphia, 1775
Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

“God grant that in America true religion and civil liberty may be inseparable, and that the unjust attempts to destroy the one, may in the issue tend to the support and establishment of both.” John Witherspoon, 1776
Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

“And if our religion is given up, all the liberty we boast of will soon be gone.” Samuel Langdon, 1788
Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

Wield the Sword: Vote

“… I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/1ti.3.15.LSB

Encouraging all to vote if you haven’t already. God is our highest affection and our greatest love. Salvation comes from God alone and Christ is King! We have been given the ministry of discipleship (Matt. 28:19-20) and reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-19) and should wield the sword well (Eph. 6:17) for God’s glory and our neighbors highest and best good.

Wield the sword – download your sample ballot and apply the Scriptures, then go vote:

Civil duty – “As the pillar and buttress of truth” 1 Tim. 3:15
Life – Jeremiah 7:31, Numbers 35:33
Sexual Morality – Romans 1:18, 24, 26, 28
Marriage – Matthew 19:4-6
The Church – 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Israel – Zechariah 2:8
Economics – Prov. 20:10, Deut. 25:15, Ex. 20:17, 23:2-3, Lev. 19:15

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”” Matthew 28:19-20 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/mat.28.19-20.LSB

“Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their transgressions against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/2co.5.18-19.LSB

“also receive the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Ephesians 6:17 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/eph.6.17.LSB

Civil Duty

“but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/1ti.3.15.LSB

Life

“They have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I did not command, and it did not come upon My heart.” Jeremiah 7:31 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/jer.7.31.LSB

“So you shall not pollute the land in which you are; for blood pollutes the land, and no propitiation can be made for the land for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it.” Numbers 35:33 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/num.35.33.LSB

Sexual Morality

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness… Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them… For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions; for their females exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural… And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to an unfit mind, to do those things which are not proper,” Romans 1:18, 24, 26, 28 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/rom.1.18-28.LSB

Marriage

“Haven’t you read,” [Jesus] replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” Matthew 19:4-6 (Jesus quotes from Genesis 1:27 and 2:24) Matthew 19:4-6 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/mat.19.4-6.LSB

Israel

“For thus says Yahweh of hosts, “After glory He has sent Me against the nations which have taken you as spoil, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.” Zechariah 2:8 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/zec.2.8.LSB

The Church

“First of all, then, I exhort that petitions and prayers, requests and thanksgivings, be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/1ti.2.1-2.LSB

Economics

“Differing weights and differing measures, Both of them are an abomination to Yahweh.” Proverbs 20:10 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/pro.20.10.LSB

“You shall have a full and just weight; you shall have a full and just measure, that your days may be prolonged in the land which Yahweh your God gives you. For everyone who does these things, everyone who acts unjustly, is an abomination to Yahweh your God.” Deuteronomy 25:15-16 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/deu.25.15-16.LSB

“¶“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male slave or his female slave or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”” Exodus 20:17 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/exo.20.17.LSB

Objective Christian principles to consider when choosing a party or candidate to vote for. https://ministry.family.blog/2024/07/13/civic-duty-principles-2024-07/

Household Prayer: Acts 7 – God’s Political Providence

““But as the time of the promise was drawing near which God had assured to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt, until another king arose over Egypt who did not know about Joseph. It was he who deceitfully took advantage of our family and mistreated our fathers to set their infants outside so that they would not survive…” Acts 7:17-20, 34 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/act.7.17-34.LSB

God’s Political Providence

Brothers, meditating on Stephen’s proclaiming of God’s providence in Acts 7. Praying specifically that we trust in God in times of political change and hardship. Even when “another king”arises and takes “advantage of our family” we know God is working for his glory and our good. I pray we act, vote, and proclaim “As the pillar and buttress of truth (1 Tim. 3:15),” but always trusting in God that His will be done even if it doesn’t seem to be going our way. John Quincy Adams said, “Duty is ours, results are God’s.”

Pastoral Negligence – Pulpit Malpractice

“It is difficult to fathom that our local leaders and representatives would practice their authority in legislation and administration righteously when the church remains silent as to how they are to serve their constituents righteously… Acceding to the common evangelical mantra to keep politics out of the pulpit is not an option if one is to preach the whole counsel of God… for the preacher to say nothing would be nothing less than pulpit malpractice.” From “A Revolutionary Reading of Romans 13: A Biblical Case for Lawful Subjection to the Civil Magistrate and Dutiful Resistance to Tyrants” Timothy L. Decker, Founders Press 2023. https://press.founders.org/shop/a-revolutionary-reading-of-romans-13/

“If [a gospel minister] shall speak straight out & boldly, fearless of man, & only fearful lest he should grieve his God, he will stir the kennels of hell, & make all the hounds of Satan howl at his heels.” Charles Spurgeon

Judgement for Government Negligence

“A government not willing to protect its citizens from vandalism, rioting, looting, theft, [illegal migrant invasion], and all sorts of criminal activities, including physical violence, is in severe danger. This danger stems from the fact that they will incur the wrath of God for abdicating their primary role tasked by God himself.” https://ministry.family.blog/2024/07/13/civic-duty-principles-2024-07/

““But as the time of the promise was drawing near which God had assured to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt, until another king arose over Egypt who did not know about Joseph. It was he who deceitfully took advantage of our family and mistreated our fathers to set their infants outside so that they would not survive. It was at this time that Moses was born, and he was lovely in the sight of God, and he was nurtured three months in his father’s home… I have surely seen the oppression of My people in Egypt and have heard their groans, and I have come down to deliver them; come now, and I will send you to Egypt.’” Acts 7:17-20, 34 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/act.7.17-34.LSB

“And a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are more and mightier than we. Come, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply and it be in the event of war, that they also join themselves to those who hate us and fight against us and go up from the land.”” Exodus 1:8-10 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/exo.1.8-10.LSB

Household Prayer: capable to defend our families

“Thus the Jews struck all their enemies with the sword, killing and causing them to perish; and they did what they pleased to those who hated them.” Esther‬ ‭9‬:‭5‬ ‭LSB‬ https://bible.com/bible/3345/est.9.5.LSB

Brothers, I heard a message from Esther, and was meditating on Esther 9:5. I pray we are fit, equipped, trained, and capable if ever called upon to defend our families. I pray it’s never needed, but if it is, I pray we are prepared. I pray our wives and children know they can depend on us for safety and security and give all thanks and glory to God, trusting in Him more than our abilities.

Scripture to meditate on:

“A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up… A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬, ‭8‬ ‭LSB‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/3345/ecc.3.3-8.LSB

“Thus the Jews struck all their enemies with the sword, killing and causing them to perish; and they did what they pleased to those who hated them.” Esther‬ ‭9‬:‭5‬ ‭LSB‬ https://bible.com/bible/3345/est.9.5.LSB

“So Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, and he led out his trained men, born in his house, 318 in number, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.” Genesis‬ ‭14‬:‭14‬ ‭LSB‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/3345/gen.14.14.LSB

“… I had the people stand by families with their swords, spears, and bows. Then I saw their fear. And I arose and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “Do not fear them; remember the Lord who is great and fearsome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” And it happened that from that day on, half of my young men carried on the work while half of them took hold of the spears, the shields, the bows, and the breastplates; and the commanders were behind the whole house of Judah. Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon. As for the builders, each wore his sword girded at his side as he built, while the trumpeter stood near me… So we kept doing the work with half of them holding spears from dawn until the stars came out.” Nehemiah‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬-‭14‬, ‭16‬-‭21‬ ‭LSB‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/3345/neh.4.13-21.LSB

“He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great. You enlarged my path under me, So my feet did not slip. I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them; Neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed. I have wounded them, So that they could not rise; They have fallen under my feet. For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.” Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭34‬-‭39‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.18.34-39.NKJV

“Blessed be Yahweh, my rock, Who trains my hands for war, My fingers for battle; My lovingkindness and my fortress, My stronghold and my deliverer, My shield and He in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me.” Psalm‬ ‭144‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭LSB‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/3345/psa.144.1-2.LSB

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭16‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭LSB‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/3345/1co.16.14.LSB

“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭LSB‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/3345/1ti.5.8.LSB

“Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, mighty in deeds, struck down the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day… And David appointed him over his guard.” 1 Chronicles‬ ‭11‬:‭22‬-‭25‬ ‭LSB‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/3345/1ch.11.22-25.LSB

When the men of a nation turn away from God they also tend to turn away from their responsibility to defend their families, communities, and nation!

It’s a “moral vanity” as Jack Carr has labeled it (https://a.co/bgOdVwy). “They chose new gods; Then there was war in the gates; Not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel.” Judges‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭Deborah was mocking the men of Israel after God gave her the victory! “for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Judges 4:9 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/jdg.4.9.NKJV

“In the 1770s, the Rev. John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg pastored two churches in Woodstock, Virginia. One was an English-speaking Episcopal church, the other a German-speaking Lutheran church. He was also a member of the Virginia legislature. In January 1776, he was attending the legislative session in Williamsburg, and war with Great Britain was looming on the horizon: Boston had been blockaded by the British navy; Charlestown burned; Lexington and Concord attacked; public stores of gunpowder seized in Virginia, and the Battle of Bunker Hill fought… He returned home from the state capitol to his churches, and on January 21, 1776, stood in his pulpit and delivered what was to become his farewell sermon… He concluded with these words: In the language of Holy Writ, there was a time for all things [Eccl 3:1-8], a time to preach and a time to pray, but those times have passed away. Then in a loud voice, he pointed to verse 8, declaring: There is a time to fight-and that time has now come! … When he finally shed his clerical robes, he stood before them in the full uniform of a military officer. He descended the pulpit, weapons in hand, and marched to the back of the church, reminding his parishioners that if they did not get involved and protect their liberties, they would have no liberties left to protect. Outside the church, Pastor Muhlenberg ordered drummers to beat for recruits. Some 300 men from his two congregations joined him that day, becoming the Eighth Virginia Regiment.” The Founders’ Bible, NASB 1995, Copyright 2012, Shiloh Road Publishers https://thefoundersbible.com/

“When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he assembled his 318 trained men, born in his household, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.” Genesis‬ ‭14:14‬ ‭CSB‬‬

American Constitution
AMENDMENT II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Militia: an army composed of citizens… called up in time of emergency. (Webster’s 2010)

There are four places in the American Constitution that affirm the Militia’s prior existence, and no law can alter it. The militia is all able bodied members of a community.

Article I, Section 8, Clauses 15 & 16:

[The Congress shall have Power To…]

Clause 15: [ ] “To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;”

Article II, Section 2, Clause 1:

“The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States…”

AMENDMENT II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

From the Founders… Original Intent

“A free people ought … to be armed.”
GEORGE WASHINGTON, US. President, Signer of the Constitution …

“[N]o man should scruple or hesitate a moment to use arms in defense.”
GEORGE WASHINGTON, US. President, Signer of the Constitution …

Quotes from “The Second Amendment” by David Barton