Fire Pit Friday: the sins of secularism and silence

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” I Peter 3:8-9 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/1pe.3.9.NKJV 


Fire Pit Fridays – first three Fridays of November 6pm – watch No Quarter November blog post, have a drink if desired, and some theological and applicational discussion. https://noquarternovember.com 

Love in unity of the essentials.
Love in discussion of the practical lived out faith.
Love in rejoicing together in our Savior.
Love in growing in the faith.

May it be in love, fruitful, edifying, and a blessing. “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” I Peter 3:8-9 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/1pe.3.9.NKJV 

Nov. 17 NQN Fire Pit Friday 6pm – Man, no qualifications can sting! This issue reminded me of Isaiah 8. Calling us to ignore the “mediums and wizards”, or the voice of secularism and silence of the pulpits, and return to God’s word. So some questions for discussion, how do we live out our faith in a way to reject and cast down the secular “arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God”  (II Cor. 10:4-5) How do we encourage our pastors to preach on the “untouchable” topics?

Video: https://youtu.be/9cPswFkQlgo?si=-50OAsMLtEjia-9R 
Blog: https://dougwils.com/books-and-culture/s7-engaging-the-culture/a-pinch-of-incense-to-the-genius-of-democracy-2-2.html  

“The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear, And let Him be your dread… Bind up the testimony, Seal the law among my disciples… And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:13, 16, 19-20 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/isa.8.13-20.NKJV 

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” II Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/2co.10.4-5.NKJV

“This last week, the voters of Ohio enshrined a right to abortion in their state constitution, in what might be called Ohio’s suicide note. In the heady days after the Jericho of Roe fell, this was the gut punch that we might call the first battle of Ai… The foundational issue is that our entire nation is riddled and shot through with the pox-ridden disease of secularism, and we have gone so far as to trick it out as some kind of a virtue… And this relates to a secondary disease in the pulpits of our land, one which absolutely refuses to confront this problem, or to name the sin in any way… Prophetic denunciation is right and proper, but our muddled and confused murmuring and fearful complaining is not the same thing as clear-headed prophetic denunciation. In a time when our nation has declared open war on the God of heaven, despising His law/word, we, ostensibly His people, have responded with a farrago of lame theological excuses… We have struck down Roe, and thank God for that. But have we received forgiveness for Roe? Has there been atonement? We still have the blood of innocents on our hands, up to the elbows. Doesn’t anybody realize we still need to seek forgiveness? We, in the name of a demented constitutionalism, have dashed out the brains of far more infants than Hamas could ever dream of… And so here we are. America is currently acting the part of Gollum falling backward into the crevasse, holding his ring, and savoring his moment of triumph. We laugh as though we had just proven that there is no such thing as judgment, and we do this while clutching at the judgment itself. The cackling is hard to listen to, but it is over soon enough… And so all of this has happened in a country that is the home to tens of millions of evangelical Christians. What has our response been? Well, we ditherThe foundational disease is in our pulpits, which have gone largely silent when it comes to the Word of Jehovah on any of these subjects, or on any topic that seems remotely connected to them. It sounds noble to say that you want to stay focused on the gospel of Christ and Him crucified. It is less noble to refuse to mention any of the high-handed sins that made such a crucifixion necessary. The New Testament message of repent and believe has been transformed into believe if you would like. to. And so now all the godless have to do to get evangelicals to lay off is deck their rebellions out in the camouflage of public square neutrality… The lie of secularism is that we have the right to make decisions like the people of Ohio just did… So evangelicals believe in democracy, do they? So what did democracy do in Ohio last week? Can democracy sin? And, if democracy can sin, can democracy be forgiven? The only way to answer that question properly is to acknowledge the authority of the risen Lord Jesus Christ over the nations, including ours, and that would run the risk of being labeled a Christian nationalist by the cool kids. No, no! Anything but the disapproval of the cool kids. Ah, cool shame . . . thy name is craven evangelical… Secularism is the delusional pretense that there is no transcendent authority above us. It is the daydream that there is no divine voice that could ever tell the majority of the American people no. Faith in democracy amounts to the implicit claim that 55% have the right to vote on whether or not the 45% are persons. Faith in Christ amounts to the explicit claim that we have no right whatever to autonomous law. And by autonomous law, I mean bloody law. I mean murderous law. I mean anti-fertility law. I mean death-wish law… And this is why the evangelical sheepdogs didn’t bark. The intelligensia of the evangelical movement, some of them educated well beyond their intelligence, and many of them educated in such a way as did not erase their aching insecurities, are deathly afraid of being called out for their lack of sophisticated and/or sophistical academic cred. They try very hard to fix it.” https://dougwils.com/books-and-culture/s7-engaging-the-culture/a-pinch-of-incense-to-the-genius-of-democracy-2-2.html  


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

Fire Pit Friday: Justice, Sympathy, Christian Nations?

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” I Peter 3:8-9 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/1pe.3.9.NKJV 

Fire Pit Fridays – first three Fridays of November 6pm – watch No Quarter November blog post, have a drink if desired, and some theological and applicational discussion. https://noquarternovember.com 

Love in unity of the essentials.
Love in discussion of the practical lived out faith.
Love in rejoicing together in our Savior.
Love in growing in the faith.

May it be in love, fruitful, edifying, and a blessing. “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” I Peter 3:8-9 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/1pe.3.9.NKJV 

Nov. 10 NQN Fire Pit Friday 6pm – Two big topics: (1) Justice (rooted in God’s absolute standard) vs. Empathy (untethered from reality or morality) in the Israel-Hamas context, and  (2) can political ideals (democracy, religious freedom) pre-suppose a Christian worldview? Or do those ideals come from a Christian worldview pre-supposition (and is that an attribute of Christian Nationalism)? Could tackle both or one, wherever the conversation leads. 

1) Video: https://youtu.be/VDGwGfPl9WQ?si=E0drsjjxAY8EYjIs 
Blog: https://dougwils.com/books-and-culture/s7-engaging-the-culture/a-pinch-of-incense-to-the-genius-of-democracy-2.html

2) Video: https://youtu.be/AHyoPYcz_xk?si=EiWzYOpPtFJlLwPD 
Blog: https://dougwils.com/books-and-culture/s7-engaging-the-culture/a-pinch-of-incense-to-the-genius-of-democracy.html 

Three articles I read this week emphasize that we do not look to secular, Godless, thought or systems to address the practicalities of Christian cultural engagement! God’s absolute truth and biblical standard must pre-suppose all thought and understanding. Justice and Politics must be informed by our Christian worldview.  

Justice. Current “a la carte approach to theology starves us of the riches of the historic Christian tradition. Moreover, it forces many to look to secular thought to address the practicalities of Christian cultural engagement rather than to Scripture… What if we applied our big-God theology all the way out to the corners, even in the area of justice?” As Lord over every aspect of our spiritual, physical, and thought lives? “God’s sovereignty applies not only to personal salvation; it also means that he governs the whole course of redemptive history according to his unchanging plan (Eph. 1:11)… As heirs of the Reformation mantle of sola Scriptura, we should always bring our systems under the intense scrutiny of Scripture. At the same time, we must not be bare biblicists, neglecting the treasures of covenant theology and its particular applications to our cultural moment.” How Covenant Theology Clarifies Justice Issues https://founders.org/articles/how-covenant-theology-clarifies-justice-issues/ 

Sympathy. the difference between sympathy and empathy was the difference between objective truth and subjective felt “truth.” … Mankind is fallen, bent, twisted. It is not prudent or wise to untether any of his emotional states—even the ones we glibly assumed were benevolent… The biblical view of man is that he is by nature an object of wrath (Eph. 2:3). Is anyone righteous? Not even one (Rom. 3:10). Left to our own devices, we spend our energy hating one another and being hated (Tit. 3:3). Before conversion to Christ, we must be restrained and held back from evil externally. After conversion to Christ, we are constrained internally by the Spirit of God, who enables us to mortify our remaining sinful impulses. Not to put too fine a point on it, man is not basically good…. If you have a biblical doctrine of man, you will want to see him tethered to the rock of justice. If you have an unbiblical doctrine of man, you will assume that he is a natural-born sweetie pie, and that leaving him to pursue his ethical development in some self-paced way will somehow turn out well. This is the thin mist of naive ethical theory, seeping out from under the door jams of all our major Thinkeries.” Empathy as the Headwaters of Cruelty https://dougwils.com/books-and-culture/s7-engaging-the-culture/a-pinch-of-incense-to-the-genius-of-democracy-2.html 

Christian Nation? “Our new Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has freaked a bunch of people out by acknowledging his Christian faith openly and unashamedly, and by saying that he plans to begin every work day there at the Capitol by utilizing a little prayer chapel that is close by his new offices. Now whether or not Johnson actually is a Christian nationalist, he certainly drew the charge of Christian nationalism almost instantly. He did this by means of a little trick where he avowed that his Christianity would have something to do with how he discharged his office. He did not use any approved line like “my faith, which is very personal and precious to me, will not have any influence on how I make political decisions.” … a number of conservative Christians who are very critical of formal Christian nationalism are mysteriously fine with Johnson and friends praying together on government property because, say they, that kind of devotion is personal and private. They approve of that sort of piety. The problem for them would come if someone tried to extract an agenda for action from the Scriptures, and on the basis of scriptural authority. That is where they would start to get restive and more than a little bit jumpy.” But where do the ideas of “religious liberty”, “democracy”, “free speech”, and the “Constitution” come from? “Religious liberty makes sense in some worldviews, and is flatly rejected by others. The idea of limited government as represented by our Constitution is dependent upon a certain worldview, and cannot be sustained by other worldviews. Is Owen willing to recognize that in order for us to have all the things he believes in, we must first have an established and shared set of preconditions that makes belief in such things possible? … I believe in religious liberty also, but I know and understand that such liberty arises from one worldview, and not from others. So if you believe in religious liberty, and you actually want it to happen, then that means you must also want the framework of such liberty to be understood by our rulers, and incorporated into our constitutional infrastructure. And that is what we mean by Christian nationalism… you cannot consistently believe in the Constitution unless you also believe in the kind of society that produced it. And the kind of society that produced it was a Christian one.” The Joy Juice of Democracy https://dougwils.com/books-and-culture/s7-engaging-the-culture/a-pinch-of-incense-to-the-genius-of-democracy.html  

Interesting applicational exercise: all cultures equal, or a Christian worldview of the value of life, evil of murder, and justice applied. “Charles James Napier, commander-in-chief of British India, enforced a ban on the Hindu practice of burning widows. When a group of irate Hindu priests asserted that the customs of their nation should be honored, here is how Napier responded: ‘This burning of widows is your custom; prepare the funeral pile. But my nation has also a custom. When men burn women alive, we hang them and confiscate all their property. My carpenters shall therefore erect gibbets on which to hang all concerned when the widow is consumed. Let us all act according to national customs.’” https://x.com/benzeisloft/status/1722727774505284092?s=46&t=Ag2lESY3ntUopWo1gN17hw 

You are the Christian governor of the colony. Do you empathize with the colonized and allow the burning of widows? Do you look to truth tethered justice to establish a Christian worldview based civil order?

Concluding thought question: How are we as the church preparing to care for one another if God sends cataclysmic judgement, to fight against evil, to advance the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ?

Supporting Ref.

Eric Metaxas: Awake, You Who Sleep (2023) https://youtu.be/8AkvuGZfTg0?si=aBpVlgzKNh-UocDs  “In the face of a darkening and confused culture, Eric Metaxas makes a career out of bringing both encouragement and a challenge to believers. He calls for Christians of conviction to stand firm, speak the truth, and do so with the hope that comes from our faith in the gospel. Eric is a happy warrior for the application of a Christian worldview to every aspect of our lives.”

TS&TT: Larry Taunton | Infiltrating The World Economic Forum https://youtu.be/9WzDFMC17fg?si=5Z1f3D2473iCBn0f  “Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden welcome Larry Taunton back to the show to discuss the World Economic Forum. They talk about some the WEF Genesis and their agenda, while hearing about Larry’s personal experience after infiltrating their 2023 meeting in Davos, Switzerland.”

Coming soon to Founders Press. “A Revolutionary Reading of Romans 13: A Biblical Case For Lawful Subjection To The Civil Magistrate and Dutiful Resistance To Tyrants” – By Timothy Decker

The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates: A Proper Resistance to Tyranny and a Repudiation of Unlimited Obedience to Civil Government by Matthew J. Trewhella https://a.co/6Mn2RHk

The Magdeburg Confession: 13th of April 1550 AD by Pastors of Magdeburg https://a.co/cWOPNHu

If You Can Keep It: The Forgotten Promise of American Liberty by Eric Metaxas https://a.co/5vUxwdQ

Celebrate Liberty! Famous Patriotic Speeches & Sermons by David Barton https://a.co/8FZFVWt

Hitler, God, and the Bible by Ray Comfort https://a.co/7Oc9vB9 

When a Nation Forgets God: 7 Lessons We Must Learn From Nazi Germany by Erwin W. Lutzer https://a.co/hFGQ1zI 

The Founders’ Key: The Divine and Natural Connection Between the Declaration and the Constitution and What We Risk by Losing It by Larry P. Arnn https://a.co/iIqY7ad

God’s Double Agent: The True Story of a Chinese Christian’s Fight for Freedom by Bob Fu, Nancy French https://a.co/8oUBngH

The White Horse King: The Life of Alfred the Great by Ben Merkle https://a.co/64ce4sw


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: physical and spiritual rebuilding

“Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel… So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.” Nehemiah 8:1, 8 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/neh.8.8.NKJV

God’s people assembled in the public square. Ezra reads God’s law for the assembly, and the Levites “teach and instruct the people in the will of God… to explain and apply the truth of God in your life.” (Family worship Bible guide)

Brothers, meditating on Nehemiah 8 this week. We are both body and spirit, both physical and spiritual. Nehemiah tells the story of both the physical and spiritual rebuilding. “Rebuilding the walls without returning to the Word of God would be foolish.” (Family worship Bible guide) And likewise, according to James, returning to God’s word without rebuilding the walls may indicate a dead faith. (James 1:22; 2:14-26; Matt. 6:10) I pray for a renewed fear of God and love of His word. I pray that a renewed faith would result in joy as we labor in faithful obedience in the roles God has given us in this world until “the nations of those who are saved shall walk in [the new Jerusalem’s] light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.” (Revelation 21:24) 

The four God ordained governments working in cooperation. Individuals, households, spiritual (Church) and civil authorities (Nehemiah 8:9,13) cooperated in “ensuring that everyone, both citizens and leaders, understood how the principles of God’s Word applied to every aspect of life and culture.” (The Founders’ Bible, NASB 1995, Copyright 2012, Shiloh Road Publishers)

“Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel…
Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law…
Also…  the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place. So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”” Nehemiah 8:1, 3, 7-10 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/neh.8.1-10.NKJV

“Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble.” Psalms 119:165 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.119.165.NKJV

“Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.” Psalms 127:1 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.127.1.NKJV 

“and their brethren, heads of their fathers’ houses—one thousand seven hundred and sixty. They were very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.” I Chronicles 9:13 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/1ch.9.13.NKJV

For the People Had a Mind to Work | Reformation And Revival “Nehemiah tells us that the Jewish returned exiles finished the wall, even in the face of Sanballat’s mockery, because the people had a mind to work. They didn’t seem to care that Sanballat was over there saying, ‘What do these feeble Jews think they are doing? Will they rebuild out of the heaps of rubbish which are burned?’ And Tobiah added, ‘Even if a fox went up on the wall, he would break it down.'” https://youtu.be/WzcqjrquTmE?si=cFW5QTdM-07ttdD5  


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


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

Loadout – Genesis 14:14 – Project Appleseed 2023

‘loadout’

1. the equipment carried into battle by a soldier. 2. any set of equipment carried while engaged in a task, expedition, etc.

STANDING ORDERS ROGERS RANGERS
1. Don’t forget nothing.
2. Have your musket clean as a whistle, hatchet scoured, sixty rounds powder and ball, and be ready to march at a minute’s warning…
MAJOR ROBERT ROGERS 1759 – RANGER HANDBOOK SH 21-76 UNITED STATES ARMY https://www.atu.edu/rotc/docs/3_21-76_Ranger_HB.pdf

Genesis 14:14

“Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people.” Genesis 14:14-16 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/gen.14.14-16.NKJV

Abram provided for his household:
1 equipment (loadout)
2 training
3 defense and protection

“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.” I Timothy 5:8 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/1ti.5.8.NKJV

Project Appleseed https://appleseedinfo.org

Our training this weekend (Project Appleseed https://appleseedinfo.org) includes:
1 planning and preparing equipment (loadout)
2 rifleman training
3 and we will be better equipped to provide for the defense and protection of our households

And Abram was blessed by Melchizedek king of Salem, priest of God Most High.

“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all.” Genesis 14:18-20 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/gen.14.18-20.NKJV

Motivation

Love

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.15.13.NKJV

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
‭‭I John‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬, ‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/114/1jn.4.7-11.NKJV

Justice

“Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; Free them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalms 82:3-4 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.82.3-4.NKJV


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

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


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: Sowing and Cultivating Christian Culture

““You are the salt of the earth…  “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:13-14 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.5.13-14.NKJV


Brothers I’m praying about sowing and cultivating distinctly Christian culture in our homes, churches, and communities. Flowing from our love and worship of God, from the redemptive power of the gospel in our lives, and the joyful labor of subduing, ruling, working, and keeping as husbands and fathers. (Gen 1:26-28, 2:15) I pray, Oh LORD, that by faith our sowing would cast a bright light of Your glory in the world. (Matt. 7:20)


Any idea that consistent Christianity must undermine or diminish concern for the tasks of civilization should be dismissed once and for all.”—J.I. Packer and Thomas Howard, “Christianity: The True Humanism”

Matthew 5:13-14 (NASB)
[13] “You are the salt of the earth…
[14] “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden

“Our Christian faith is to affect all areas of our life in obvious, overt ways (Mt. 5:13–16)… culture is the concrete expression of a society’s religious and philosophical commitments; it flows out of the heart—as it were—of the society which produces it (Prov. 4:23).” Plowing in Hope: Towards a Biblical Theology of Culture by David Bruce Hegeman

Proverbs 4:23 (NASB)
[23] Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.

“If I knew the world was going to end tomorrow,  I would plant a tree today.” —Martin Luther

A Biblical theology of culture

“man’s “cultural mandate”—the call to rule, fill, and transform the earth—was established before the Fall and exists independently of man’s need for redemption… we may properly call culture (along with the other “pre-redemptive” institutions of marriage and worship) normative for mankind…

culture is, at its foundation, about building and not about conflict. Doing culture from a positive, earth-transformational perspective will help us build a more comprehensive, radical, holistic culture in line with the principles of Scripture, and it will provide us with less opportunity to compromise with the anti-biblical values and beliefs embedded in the pagan, unbelieving cultures we might encounter. …

The human race was called to fill, rule, work, and keep the earth before the Fall—before sin and evil had ever entered the hearts, thoughts, and actions of men and women. Man’s culturative activities must therefore be seen as a normative, good, and holy calling received from a loving and holy God. Marriage, work, the development of the earth’s resources, and a careful stewardship of nature must all be seen as intrinsic to who we are. It is clear from the rest of Scripture that our culturative calling was never rescinded after the Fall (e.g., Gen. 4; 9: 1–2)…

As the Word of God, Scripture is over culture and offers an infallible, perfect standard by which all cultures are to be judged and evaluated.”
Plowing in Hope: Towards a Biblical Theology of Culture by David Bruce Hegeman https://a.co/7jpUp3f

““To affirm and bask in the goodness of the world, to praise God for the wonders of creation, to practice responsible stewardship of this small planet, and to honor its Maker by using its resources wisely for the welfare of the race and the enriching of human life are all integral aspects of the work that Christians are called to do. Any idea that consistent Christianity must undermine or diminish concern for the tasks of civilization should be dismissed once and for all.”
J.I. Packer and Thomas Howard, “Christianity: The True Humanism” quoted in “Plowing in Hope: Towards a Biblical Theology of Culture” by David Bruce Hegeman https://a.co/bq8q9J8


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: ‘vote for honest men and take consistent ground in politics’ Updated!

“in your splendor ride triumphantly in the cause of truth, humility, and justice. May your right hand show your awe-inspiring acts.” Psalms 45:4 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/psa.45.4.HCSB

Brothers, today I am praying for midterm elections. I’m praying for triumph in the cause of truth (Ps. 45:4). I pray, for the love of our neighbors, that God’s truth about life, sex, marriage, gender, economics, localism (subsidiarity), and so much more would triumph. Praying our elders and pastors would be unashamed to teach God’s truth on the issues and that they would fear the Lord more than man.

“For a Christian, voting is not a right, it is a duty! So make sure and vote this election! As Charles Finney declared: ‘[T]he time has come that Christians must vote for honest men and take consistent ground in politics or the Lord will curse them.’ [Lectures on Revivals of Religion, 1858]” WallBuilders Take a Stand – Vote! https://wallbuilders.com/ 


Know where the candidates stand on the issues. Visit ChristianVoterGuide.com for information, guides, and more!

https://christianvoterguide.com


The IFI (Illinois Family Institute) 2022 Primary Election Voter Guide You will not find this information anywhere else! The online version is updated often.

https://illinoisfamily.org/ifi_news/ifi-voter-guide-resources-for-primary-election-2022/

“when God’s enemies shout that we mustn’t be political, as though this constitutes some trump card that can be used against those who claim to be Christians, we are obliged to hear in these cynical cries the voice of the devil, who similarly tried to keep Wilberforce from doing God’s will through politics and who has tried to keep God’s people from doing good at many times in history.” Eric Metaxas pg. 96 Letter to the American Church

“When Bonhoeffer said that God means the Church to be the conscience of the state, he made it clear that the Church must exist apart from the state and must be free to criticize the state if necessary. When the Church shrinks from this duty – to God and to its fellow citizens – it is not behaving as God’s Church. And when that happens, the state and everyone in it will sufffer.” Eric Metaxas pg. 102 Letter to the American Church

“Bonhoeffer eventually became so disgusted with the simplistic Lutheran idea that Christians should not be political that in ‘The Cost of Discipleship’, he wrote: ‘It is high time we broke with our theologically based restraint towards the state’s actions – which, after all, is only fear.’ Bonhoeffer’s disgust… was of course mainly that it was bad theology.” Eric Metaxas pg. 102,107 Letter to the American Church


FRC: Pray Vote Stand Pledge

“The future of America is in the hands of Christian men and women who will commit to PRAY, VOTE, and STAND for biblical principles to guide our nation. As a follower of Christ led by the Spirit of God and anchored in the Word of God, I commit to advocate and advance biblical truth in my home, workplace, school, church, community, and nation.”

Will you commit to PRAY, VOTE, and STAND for America this November? https://www.frc.org/get.cfm?c=CHECKOUT&dmy=B67634D9-C2D6-F7F3-10C158D6793709B3&srcItem=PT22I01&fromItem=FN22J01&x=0


Midterm Elections Will Determine the Nation’s Path
Read: Proverbs 14:34; Daniel 2:20-21; Proverbs 21:1; Deuteronomy 1:13
“Pray for Christians to pray, vote, and stand as the midterm elections approach. Pray for Bible-believing, Bible-teaching churches to boldly address our cultural moment, equipping believers to think–and act–biblically on issues like life, marriage, family, economy, and education.” (FRC Prayer Post, 10/25/2022) 

https://washingtonstand.com/news/midterm-elections-will-determine-the-nations-path


The Founders’ Bible, 2012, Shiloh Road Publishers

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

Christian men and the primal task to protect spouses and children

Christian men, you can NOT outsource your duty to protect your family. Period.

You can NOT use the “I’ll call A MAN (911) to rescue us if in trouble” excuse. BE THE MAN!

You are the man God has given the duty to. 

Protect your children. Mind, body, and soul. Period. 

No more excuses. Protect them. 

If your children’s school does not have security in place, REMOVE THEM IMMEDIATELY and PROTECT THEM! Obviously the school administration is mentally ill if they think a NO GUNS sticker will magically protect your children.

KEEP: TO PROTECT AS A SWORD-BEARER

In “Genesis 2:15, we learn how man is to fulfill his calling: ‘The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.’ … Work. To work is to labor to make things grow… Keep. To keep is to protect and to sustain progress already achieved… KEEP: TO PROTECT AS A SWORD-BEARER  shamar, which is translated by such English terms as “watch,” “guard,” “protect,” “take under custody,” or “exercise care” … His calling to Christian men is similar: we are to watch over and keep safe all that the Lord has put under our care… our basic mandate as Christian men is to cultivate, build, and grow (both things and people), but also to stand guard so that people and things are kept safe-so that the fruit of past cultivating and nurturing is preserved… In our families, our presence is to make our wives and children feel secure and at ease. At church, we are to stand for truth and godliness against the encroachment of worldliness and error. In society, we are to take our places as men who stand up against evil and who defend the nation from threat of danger.” The Masculine Mandate: God’s Calling to Men by Richard D. Phillips https://a.co/hPkBUjb

“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.” I Timothy 5:8 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/1ti.5.8.NKJV

“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

“A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a murky spring and a polluted well.” Proverbs 25:26 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.25.26.NKJV 

“Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”” Nehemiah 4:13-14 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/neh.4.13-14.NKJV

“The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. This happens because he is a hired man and doesn’t care about the sheep.” John 10:12-13 HCSB

Witnesses: Police Refused to Enter School as Uvalde Shooter Rampaged, Subdued Parents Begging Them to Act https://redstate.com/bonchie/2022/05/26/witnesses-police-refused-to-enter-school-as-uvalde-shooter-rampaged-subdued-parents-begging-them-to-act-n570190

“Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle— My lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower and my deliverer, My shield and the One in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me.” Psalms 144:1-2 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.144.1-2.NKJV 

Reading List: Who Will Be Your God? Don’t Let Them Take Your Worship! Free College? Church of Cowards, Power Shortages


# Make Disciples of all Nations
“‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations’” Matthew 28:18-20 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.28.18-20.ESV

Tucker on Christianity and Politics | Doug Wilson
https://youtu.be/t92Mt2tMkLE 

“In this episode of Doug Reacts, Pastor Doug Wilson reacts to a video from Tucker Carlson talking about Christianity and politics. What happens when men try to replace God?


The battle for middle earth!

Who will be your god? The state, or God Almighty the Maker of heaven and earth? … choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”” Joshua 24:15 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/jos.24.15.NKJV

Do not worship man or depend on the government, “Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.”, “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the Lord.”
Psalms 146:3 NKJV, Psalms 4:5 NKJV

Don’t Let Them Take Your Worship – The Gospel in The Government w/ Jarrin Jackson
https://crosspolitic.com/podcast/dont-let-them-take-your-worship-the-gospel-in-the-government-w-jarrin-jackson/ 

Excellent episode! The second segment (16 minutes) is a must listen! I mean it, the second segment is HOT! Praise God!

Don’t let them take your worship! “Totalitarianism has no brakes and when they insist on saving us from gun violence, they will not stop until we bow the knee to their statist savior complex…” worship is our warfare!

Listen to CrossPolitic, subscribe to the Fight Laugh Feast club.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” II Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/2co.10.4-5.NKJV

# Work and Keep 
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” Genesis 2:15 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/gen.2.15.ESV

Free Education: NSA vs. Biden
https://youtu.be/5GlV10cVYEo


Why life without covenant = clown world 
https://notes.itsgoodtobeaman.com/why-life-without-covenant-clown-world/

“Our rebellion against covenant is catastrophic, because covenants are foundational in every realm of society. Though we tend to notice only those which are explicitly cut between two parties, covenants are actually everywhere—they are just mostly natural or implicit… Having disposed of covenant heads—fathers—we have replaced them with celebrities and comedians—clowns—which is why we are now living in Clown World… But a supernatural work is required to knit together an entire society that has rebelled against nature itself. It ultimately requires that our various covenant heads—fathers, pastors, leaders, rulers—be joined themselves to a greater Head: the Lord Jesus.”

Since a supernatural work is required, there are really only three things we can do: [1]  Pray for God to work. [2]  Preach the gospel of the kingdom to every living being, so that when he works, all can repent and turn and be joined together and healed in his Head. [3]  Participate in covenant life ourselves, working out our salvation in fear and trembling, abiding in our Head by practicing the holiness without which no one will see God (John 15:5–10; Heb 12:14).”

““I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing… If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” John 15:5, 7-8 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.15.5-8.NKJV

Church of Cowards? America’s founders did not avoid “being political.” “… as Sir Thomas Moore pointed out, “Silence gives consent”—if one doesn’t say anything about the horrific trends of the day, he is silently giving approval.”
https://amgreatness.com/2022/05/29/church-of-cowards/

“Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far off. For truth has stumbled in the public square, and honesty cannot enter.” Isaiah 59:14 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/isa.59.14.HCSB 

Psalms 149:6-9 (NASB)
[6] Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,
And a two-edged sword in their hand,
[7] To execute vengeance on the nations
And punishment on the peoples,
[8] To bind their kings with chains
And their nobles with fetters of iron,
[9] To execute on them the judgment written;
This is an honor for all His godly ones.
Praise the LORD!

# Tyranny, crime, and other evils
“The kings of the earth set themselves… against the Lord and against his Anointed… He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.” Psalm 2:1-4 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.2.1-4.ESV

Special Focus: Warnings of Power Shortages Summer 2022 https://ministry.family.blog/2022/06/01/special-focus-warnings-of-power-shortages-summer-2022/ 

What plans does your household, church, and community have in place to thrive and serve?

“Possible summertime rolling blackouts a concern for Illinois manufacturers… A leading advocate for Illinois manufacturers is worried about price hikes and energy shortages this summer and into the future.  ‘There is going to be a capacity shortage and we’ve seen warnings from utilities and regional grid operators talking about potentially rolling brownouts as soon as this summer,’ said Mark Denzler, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association…”

“Energy experts warn of price increases for Central Illinoisans… During Tuesday’s Peoria City Council meeting, a representative with the consulting firm Good Energy sounded the alarm on rising energy prices for Central Illinoisans. It’s a nationwide issue that’s been impacted by factors such as inflation and renewable energy not filling the gap left by fossil fuel plants that have closed or preparing to close… As power supply issues persist, Ameren Illinois said customers will see about a $500 dollar increase a year in their energy bills, beginning in June.”

Scream Loudly and Carry No Stick at All
https://www.castlereport.us/scream-loudly-and-carry-no-stick-at-all/

“Darrell Castle talks about President Biden’s commencement address to the graduating class at the United States Naval Academy last Friday and how his address reflects American foreign policy and the future service of those young Navy Ensigns and Marine Second Lieutenants as they go forth to project American power around the world.”

“I will wager that every high-ranking Chinese Naval Officer along with the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party is sane. They may imprison millions, they may persecute religious minorities, they may harvest organs from political dissidents, but they are solidly sane. I will surmise that not a single one of them thinks that a man can get pregnant, or that a man can become a woman just by thinking about it…Meanwhile back in the real world of ordinary people, here are some other thoughts he could have mentioned. Food prices were 9.4% higher in April 2022 than in April 2021—the largest annual increase in 41 years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics grocery prices were up 10.8% for the year. The AAA reports that gas prices are setting all time highs across the nation just in time for the summer driving season. Because of the lack of fertilizer and increased diesel prices, farmers are telling us food prices are going to double by October. Finally, folks, does anybody have an answer or does anybody even care that we are on an intentional track to national poverty? The President says we are in a transition to a new way of life that will be better. But Mr. President the people have no bread. During the transition, let them eat cake.”

“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/


The latest Gabs from Mick Dobra (@mickdobra). Glorify God, share the Gospel, protect your family…

Special Focus: Warnings of Power Shortages Summer 2022

# Work and Keep 
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” Genesis 2:15 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/gen.2.15.ESV

What plans does your household, church, and community have in place to thrive and serve?

Possible summertime rolling blackouts a concern for Illinois manufacturers https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/possible-summertime-rolling-blackouts-a-concern-for-illinois-manufacturers/article_e5f418ea-d798-11ec-80d6-af0dfcdb450b.html

“A leading advocate for Illinois manufacturers is worried about price hikes and energy shortages this summer and into the future.  ‘There is going to be a capacity shortage and we’ve seen warnings from utilities and regional grid operators talking about potentially rolling brownouts as soon as this summer,’ said Mark Denzler, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association… Denzler said the energy available, especially in downstate areas, is shrinking due to last year’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which pledged to eliminate Illinois fossil fuel power plants by 2045. ‘The state of Illinois is telling these traditional power generators, ‘You’re no longer welcome in Illinois and we’re going to close you down by a certain date,’’ Denzler said. ‘So what’s happened is those companies said, ‘If we’re going to have to close down, why would we invest hundreds of millions of dollars in these facilities? We’re simply going to close them early.’’”

Energy experts warn of price increases for Central Illinoisans https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/energy-experts-warn-of-price-increases-for-central-illinoisans/

“As the summer approaches, energy experts are warning the community about increased energy prices that are on the horizon. During Tuesday’s Peoria City Council meeting, a representative with the consulting firm Good Energy sounded the alarm on rising energy prices for Central Illinoisans. It’s a nationwide issue that’s been impacted by factors such as inflation and renewable energy not filling the gap left by fossil fuel plants that have closed or preparing to close… As power supply issues persist, Ameren Illinois said customers will see about a $500 dollar increase a year in their energy bills, beginning in June.”

“EIA WARNS OF FUEL SHORTAGES: The latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that oil refinery capacity is likely to top out this summer, limiting production of gasoline and diesel. Meanwhile, as we reported earlier in the year, fuel inventories remain low, especially on the East Coast where fuel shortages are now expected. There are so far unconfirmed reports of East Coast truck stops running out of diesel. – M.S.”

EIA WARNS OF FUEL SHORTAGES, DHS preparing for violence following abortion ruling, Shocking video of mass shooting in Chicago, Boeing is pulling its headquarters out of Chicago, A Chicago gang leader was released early from federal prison, CDC Tracked Millions of Americans’ Phones, Including at Church https://ministry.family.blog/2022/05/18/reading-list-family-worship-education-bitcoin-knife-fighting-food-shortage-chicago-crime-big-brother-is-watching-you/#tyranny

Reading List: Disney anti-christ agenda, Gov Corruption, Always Carry, 7 Lean Food years?, Households and distinctly Christian culture

“The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.” Psalm 92:12-15 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.92.12-15.ESV

# Make Disciples of all Nations
“‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations’” Matthew 28:18-20 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.28.18-20.ESV

A Culture to Fight With | Toby Sumpter  https://youtu.be/NXUGwLikAfM 

We should be living out a distinctly Christian culture. Lord’s Day worship. Gathering of the saints. Sent out to build households. Practicing the fruitfulness of Christian culture in our households.


Founders Ministries: TS&TT: William Wolfe | The Need For Public Theology And The Abuse of Romans 13 https://youtu.be/hfQjs9tcC5o 

“Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk with William Wolfe, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon and Director of Legislative Affairs at the Department of State in Washington, D.C. They discuss the need for theology in the public square and how Christians should engage with government.”

Paraphrase from about 23 minutes in “we need to see the church more as a military outpost (not in a violent military way) to go forth and conquer and expand the Kingdom of God in the world… like Daniel 2 the nations are toppling and the Kingdom of Christ is expanding” 


Jared Longshore: Raise Your Kids and Change the World https://youtu.be/-s7lx13b-0w 

“In this episode of Reformation and Revival, Jared Longshore discusses how to raise your children and change the world… The Christian family is the soil from which a Christian society and a Christian nation will grow. Without that soil, the fields will keep burning just as they are now.”

“The reformed ‘did not look at their children as neutral objects whom Christ would draw to himself for the first time later on, but as beings who, through the covenant, by virtue of being born of believing parents, enjoyed a  relationship with Christ, belonged to him, and were to be viewed as his subjects.’ Pro Rege, vol. 2, pg. 538” 


“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Ephesians 6:1   “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4  “… But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”” Joshua 24:15  “And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.” Genesis 17:7  “… and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”” Genesis 12:3 

# Work and Keep 
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” Genesis 2:15 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/gen.2.15.ESV

Defy Tyrants: The Biblical Mindset towards Food Prepping https://youtu.be/rnAopFw5YsY

“Mike Brabo, an expert in growing food and surviving under communism, shares his short thoughts in this video and more to come. SHARE his full talk with others so they can be warned of the times ahead. The difference between hoarding and prudence is found in scripture. When men hoard, they amass bigger barns for themselves with no thoughts on God’s purposes (Luke 12:13-24), however, prudent Christians should forsee the evil coming and hide themself (Proverbs 22:3) and store up enough to sustain themselves, and enough to give to those in need (2 Corinthians 8:12).” https://rumble.com/vt3ma7-the-fragile-food-supply-and-food-for-life.html?mref=hqg49&mrefc=2  

Spring Garden Giveaway, where you can get 15+ gardening resources to inspire, challenge, and support your gardening efforts…and it’s 100% FREE. https://upvir.al/ref/623da596638c5M

“Get our Premium Garden Planning Calculator ($10 value) for FREE! https://upvir.al/ref/623da596638c5M
While you’re at it, enter to win a free $50 credit to our heirloom seed store too.” https://upvir.al/ref/623da596638c5M

JackCarrUSA: Peter Zeihan: What Keeps Him Up At Night https://youtu.be/aHTDSU9BhxI

“Peter Zeihan is a geopolitical strategist and a renowned author, speaker, and consultant. His work includes analysis on global politics, demographics, and geography to better understand economic, cultural, political and military developments to predict future trends. His firm Zeihan on Geopolitics provides custom analytical products to a vast array of clients including energy companies, financial institutions, agricultural interests, and the U.S. military. Zeihan is the author of three critically acclaimed books, The Accidental Superpower, The Absent Superpower, and Disunited Nations.  His fourth book, The End of the World Is Just the Beginning: Mapping the Collapse of Globalization, will be published in June.”

# Trained Men 
“he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them” Genesis 14:14 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/gen.14.14.ESV

FieldCraft Survival Channel: The infamous robbery fail as seen by a Special Forces SGM https://youtu.be/o2Fn9h4Gm2A 

“On this episode, Fieldcraft Survival’s CEO Mike Glover reviews and analyzes the South African attempted heist video that went viral months ago.”


USCCA: (URGENT) Send This To EVERYONE That Doesn’t Carry A Gun… https://youtu.be/SzrarAmVQ7c 

“Your decision whether or not to carry a gun can make the difference between life and death. In this short informational video, U.S. Concealed Carry Association Director of Content Kevin Michalowski addresses the most common excuses people give for not carrying a gun.”


Warrior Poet Society:  When to HIGH PORT and HOW to do it https://youtu.be/6MlBLg5uepM

“Former Army Ranger and Special Forces instructor show when to use the muzzle up (high port) technique and how to do it right.”

# Tyranny, crime, and other evils
“The kings of the earth set themselves… against the Lord and against his Anointed… He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.” Psalm 2:1-4 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.2.1-4.ESV

[Canadian] Pastor Artur Pawlowski Spent Nearly Two Months in Solitary Confinement for ‘Inciting Mischief’ http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/cwn/2022/april/pastor-artur-pawlowski-spent-nearly-two-months-in-solitary-confinement-for-inciting-mischief

“Prominent Canadian Pastor Artur Pawlowski, who earned international media attention for defying onerous pandemic restrictions, has been released from prison after reportedly spending close to two months in solitary confinement… The preacher is also under a curfew, requiring him to be home from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m., except to attend church services.”

Warrior Poet Society: Just HOW Corrupt is D.C? Rep. Madison Cawthorn gives insider look https://youtu.be/xEEpnrZgoJU 

“Congressman Madison Cawthorn pulls no punches in describing just how bad Washington D.C. really is. In this interview I ask how close the show ‘House of Cards’ gets to giving a real glimpse of our ruling class. His answers shocked me. Support Madison Cawthorn: https://cawthorn.house.gov/


Answers in Genesis: How Disney Is (Subtly) Poisoning Your Children https://youtu.be/uFGZoy7g74E

“Disney CEO Bob Chapek sent a memo to his employees discussing why the company had yet to make a statement on the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill. In this video, Bryan Osborne shares his perspective on this situation as a Bible-believing Christian.”


Disney Executives Outline ‘Gay Agenda,’ Push for More Queer Characters in Internal Meeting https://link.theepochtimes.com/mkt_app/disney-executives-outline-gay-agenda-push-for-more-queer-characters-in-internal-meeting_4372179.html

“Executives and producers at the Walt Disney Company said during a recent internal meeting that there will be a renewed effort to make leading characters in films and shows gay or transgender, with one talking about how she has been working to enact a “not-at-all-secret gay agenda” in several programs.”

Senators Release Bank Records Showing Payments to Hunter Biden From China https://link.theepochtimes.com/mkt_app/senators-release-bank-records-showing-payments-from-china-to-hunter-biden_4371710.html

“The receipts are just some of the records that “undeniably show strong links between the Biden family and communist China,” Grassley said… The senators said they plan on releasing the financial records they’ve obtained in full. Their offices didn’t respond by press time to requests for more information… ‘The evidence is stunning, and it is growing.’”

“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/


The latest Gabs from Mick Dobra (@mickdobra). Glorify God, share the Gospel, protect your family…