Pastor Bob’s Blog

Since I was a boy, I’ve been intrigued by political campaigns and government. My interest was so keen that I majored in political science in college, went to campaign schools, and from high school until a few years ago was involved in political campaigns. The history of American government and politics dominated my reading lists.

American history is replete with examples of nasty political campaigns, bitter political rivalries, and deeply divided government. But it seems like today’s political climate is particularly toxic. The relationships between Democrats and Republicans in Congress, and between the Congress and the White House, are about as dysfunctional and disrespectful as I can recall. And as the presidential primaries chug along, the rhetoric is shrill, deceptive, and often mean-spirited. The writings and videos of bloggers, tweeters, and Facebookers, even self-professed Christians, are just as mean and full of venom as are found in the culture at large.

Political pundits and scholars have offered secular explanations for the apparent increase in divisions. They cite, among other reasons, the rise of safe congressional districts and the rise of “immediate media” – Twitter, Facebook, blogs, and quick-reporting television.

But for Bible-believing Christians, we understand that the root really lies in the nature and pervasiveness of sin in a fallen world.

The Apostle Paul, by the Holy Spirit, wrote to the church at Galatia about the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit:

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 ESV).

What we see in the political arena is really just the work of sinful flesh – strife, jealousy, rivalries, divisions. As followers of Jesus, we may be citizens of the United States, but more importantly we’re also citizens of heaven. (Philippians 3:20 ESV). Our approach should be radically different from what we see around us.

As followers of Jesus, let’s not be sucked into the vortex of the works of the flesh. Let’s be honest with ourselves. Instead of excusing works of our flesh as evidence of a “prophetic anointing” or our call to be “watchers on the wall” or “truth-tellers,” let’s call a work of the flesh what it is – sin. Speak the truth, but in love. Redeem the culture by “walking in the Spirit.” Here’s what we should bring to the political conversation:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:22-24 ESV).

Let’s stay engaged in the process. Listen. Read. Watch. Vote. Stand true to our convictions of truth as followers of Jesus. But also pray and watch in the Spirit. And respond in the Spirit instead of in the same nasty, fleshy way as the culture. And finally, follow our biblical calling to pray for our political leaders, no matter their political party or position:

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man1 Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given fat the proper time. (1 Timothy 2:1-6 ESV).

I just read that a popular conservative television host had opined on his show that anyone who goes to a church that mentions “social justice” should flee.

Really? Justice is a recurring them in the Bible.

One of the most-quoted scriptures in the Old Testament is this:

He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
(Micah 6:8 ESV)

In the New Testament, Jesus scolded the Pharisees:

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
(Matthew 23:23 ESV)

I may differ with some of the directions taken by ministries centered on “social justice” in their interpretation of scripture. But to suggest that God is not a God who wants his people to pursue justice in our society – especially for the weak and poor – is to ignore huge chunks of the Bible. Our prayerful quest should be for the means the Lord wants us to use to pursue justice in society, not whether we should pursue justice.

I try to take my instructions from the Bible, and not from popular culture, newspapers, television, and social media. So when I see Christians of all political stripes being really nasty about political leaders, I cringe and choose not to follow.

In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, the Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to write this as an instruction not just to Paul’s spiritual son, Timothy, but to all believers for all time:

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

I’ve noticed over my lifetime that it’s hard to pray for someone and at the same time call them nasty names. It’s almost impossible to invest yourself in another person’s success, and at the same time tear them down.

As Christians, no matter what we may think about the political convictions of our political leaders, our scriptural assignment is to pray for them. No matter our political affiliation, we need for our leaders to make wise, righteous, Godly decisions. Our well-being depends on it. The preaching of the Gospel depends on it. The country’s future depends on it.

So whether we’re Republicans or Democrats, conservatives, liberals, or moderates, we need to take seriously our scriptural assignment to give thanks for our leaders, pray for them, intercede for them, and make supplication for them. The faithfulness and unity of the Body of Christ in this nation – or in any nation – to fulfill that assignment will be a critical factor in determining the destiny of the nation.

Step into your place and fulfill your assignment!!

Yesterday I posted a blog about Kenneth Copeland Ministries’ 2009 Southwest Believers’ Convention and the New York Times article covering it.  I want to be sure that what I wrote is not misinterpreted.

I’m not condemning the Times or the religion professor who is quoted in the article.  That’s not an appropriate response from a true follower of Jesus Christ, and that’s not what my response was intended to be.

Matthew 5:44 (NKJV) says this:

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.

As one who considers himself one of the Copelands’ spiritual sons, I consider an attack on the Copelands to be an attack on me.  What must be (and is) my response?  To love, to bless, and to pray.  And when a contrary thought pops up, it’s my job to cast it down, and to love, to bless, and to pray.

I pray for the Times reporter, for the religion professor, and for all those who have been so critical of Brother and Sister Copeland.  Will all of you who confess Jesus as Lord you join me?

On April 15, while taping the Believer’s Voice of Victory broadcast with his guest David Barton, Brother Kenneth Copeland received this word from the Lord:

This is the time that has been prophesied about, and at stake here is not only your welfare in the land, but also My move in the end times of a ‘Great Awakening,’” saith the Lord. “And it is that awakening that will save this land and others like it. For it is the time of the coming of the Lord, and you will rise up and you will be My name and you will be My power and I will manifest Myself through you, and many shall come and say, “Surely He is the God of all good.”

Sister Billye Brim had delivered a similar word a few months ago.  Both words bear witness in my spirit.

We must pray for our leaders as we are admonished to do in 1 Timothy 2:1-8.  But political leaders are not the salvation of the United States.  The Lord is the salvation of this nation.  More than anything else, we need people here and around the earth to be convicted of sin and righteousness, to be awakened to the Lord, and to turn to the Lord for salvation.

We in the body of Christ need to be praying and standing in faith for a Great Awakening!  Don’t be moved by what you see.  Pray, believe you receive, and stand in faith for this great end-time move of God!

I read an article today in Ohio University’s student newspaper. The point of the article was that people are giving less at church because they’re worried about the economy. The reporter spoke with some pastors who reported that their churches’ incomes were down.
The reporter had left a message for me, but I didn’t get it until after the story was posted. I’m sorry about that, because I could have given her a different perspective.
At Abundant Life Church, our tithes and offerings are higher than last year at this time. Why? First, the Lord is blessing our people – just as His Word promises.   Second, our people are not afraid. They take God at His Word. He says He’ll supply all our needs according to His riches in glory, and He promised He would open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing to those who tithe. Our people are tithers and givers.  Maybe you’d stop tithing and giving if you didn’t believe what God promised in the Bible and were afraid God wouldn’t do what He said He’d do. But if you really believe Him, and you understand the laws of tithing and of sowing and reaping, you’ll give more in tough times, not less.
What’s the effect of the economic downturn on Abundant Life Church? We’re becoming more attuned to other people’s needs, and are prepared to live out the commandment of love by giving to others from what the Lord has blessed us with.
For anyone who has no earthly clue what I’m talking about, I’d recommend that you read Malachi 3:8-12 as a starting point. Take what the Lord is saying by faith, expect Him to perform His word, and tithe to your church and sow (give above your tithe), and watch the Lord perform His word!!

Today is an historic day for the United States as Barack Obama is inaugurated as our first African-American president.  As believers, we need to be praying for him and for his administration.

So many people, though, are putting their hope in the new president.  During my prayer time this morning, the Lord led me to Psalm 146:1-6:

Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord, O my soul!  While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.  Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.  His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; in that very day his plans perish.  Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps truth forever. . .

As much as many in the Body of Christ may admire the new president, let’s be sure our hope is not be fastened on him.

Our hope is in the Lord, Who keeps truth forever!!!

Our public universities trumpet “tolerance,” “diversity,” and “free expression” as core values. Apparently those values do not extend to those who express strongly-held Christian beliefs.

Crystal Dixon has been a human resources leader for twenty-five years.  In May 2008, she was terminated from her job as the interim associate vice president for human resources at the University of Toledo.  What was the terrible transgression that led to her termination?

In April, Ms. Dixon wrote a guest column in the Toledo Free Press.  She was responding to a pro-gay rights editorial entitled, “Gay Rights and Wrongs.”  In the column, Ms. Dixon emphasized that God values all people regardless of their choices, but took umbrage with the assertion that gays and lesbians are “civil rights victims.”  Ms. Dixon wrote that she can not wake up tomorrow as something other than a Black woman, but that many gays and lesbians choose to change, often because of a work of God in their lives.  She wrote that gay and lesbian practices violate God’s divine order.

The response from the president of the University of Toledo was swift.  The president opined that, having expressed her beliefs, Ms. Dixon could not possibly do her job well.  Her opinions, the president concluded, violated the university’s core values.  No doubt had Ms. Dixon written a column deriding Christians as mean-spirited and judgmental towards gays and lesbians, her job would have been secure.

When did our universities break free from the moorings of truth?  How can they call themselves “tolerant” if they censor and deny the free speech rights of people of faith?  How can universities trumpet “diversity” as they shed Christians who express their devotion to the God of the Bible?  And how can they expect to find truth independent of the God of the Bible?

Ms. Dixon has filed suit against the University seeking reinstatement to her position and back pay.  I wish her well, and pray for her success.  Just as she and her ancestors were forced to resort to the courts to protect their civil rights, so she is being forced today to defend her rights as a person of faith who believes in the God of the Bible.  And I applaud her church, End Time Christian Fellowship, and its pastor, Bishop James M. Williams, Sr., for supporting her.

Ms. Dixon has created a web site.  A copy of the letter that led to her dismissal can be found there, as well as her explanation of what has happened since.  http://www.crystaldixon.com/

As Ms. Dixon’s brothers and sisters in Christ, we are injured because she is injured.  Let us pray for her and support her as she perseveres in the Lord’s work.

Yesterday we witnessed one of the marvels of the American republic.  Although they differ on almost every issue of importance, President Bush and President-Elect Obama met to discuss the orderly, peaceful transfer of power on January 20.  It is one of the blessings the Lord has given us, to hand off authority without bloodshed.

Many evangelical Christians are wary of the president-elect.  Some of his vocal supporters pushed an agenda of unrighteousness, and the positions Mr. Obama took during the campaign seemed to mirror that agenda.

I don’t want to minimize the apparent differences we have with his stated opinions on issues of life and righteousness.  We need to be vigilant.  Yet we must also be mindful that God is still on the throne, and His Word says that the king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, and that He turns it (the king’s heart) wherever He wills.  (Proverbs 21:1).

We also must be mindful of this admonition:  “You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.”  (Acts 23:5 NKJV).  In that passage, the Apostle Paul had just spoken some strong words to Ananias, not knowing he was the high priest.  The words of Exodus 22:28 leapt to Paul’s lips, just as they should to ours.

Let’s also remember this.  During the years of his ministry, the Apostle Paul was living under the ungodly pagan authority of the Roman empire.  Wickedness in Roman society and among Roman leaders was no less prevalent than it is today.  Yet the Apostle Paul wrote this to the church at Rome, the seat of the empire’s authority:

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.  (Romans 13:1 NKJV).

We have marching orders straight from the Word of God:

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  (1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV).

Let us pray that the Lord turn the president-elect’s heart to rule righteously in the fear of the Lord.  Let us pray that he selects godly counselors.  Let us pray that the Lord give the president-elect and his advisors the wisdom of God.  Let us pray that the Lord give this nation and the church peace, quiet, and prosperity, and that we may live godly and honestly without interference from our government.  Let us pray that in the next four years a revival of the gospel sweep this nation, and that many people be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

At all times – first of all – let us pray!  And when we pray, let’s pray in faith, not doubting, but believing we receive.  Pray!

“Pay Attention to Me…My system is stronger than ever.”
Don’t pay attention to or make any plans based on what the media says
or what the politicians say. Stand on My Word in John 16. Pay attention to Me.
I [the Holy Spirit] will obey verses 13-15. I will show you things to come. I will
lead you through troubled times. I already have THE plan for you, and it’s very
good. Follow it. It will not only get you through, it will place you in a very high
place—a rich place—a strong place of victory.
You will have to discipline yourself and be diligent to listen to Me. All the
other voices will have a plan, a word, an idea for your future and security.
Don’t listen to Babylon’s system. It has fallen apart. My system is stronger than
ever. My kingdom is flourishing, and THE BLESSING is the place to be.
Keep your eyes on My Word. Listen to it. It will guide you and I will
perform it. Love Me. Love My people as I have loved you. Walk in it. Love never
fails, and neither does My plan.
Be very cautious to stay completely clean from covetousness. First
Timothy 6:10 must live in the forefront of your thinking. If you will do these
things and continue therein, you will come into your wealthy place. A place
lifted up. A place in Me already planned and prepared for you now. Here. Not
heaven—not yet. But it will seem like heaven right in the midst of all the
trouble, and you’ll be able to reach out to untold numbers of suffering people
with the Good News of the gospel.
I’m coming very soon. Sooner than you think. Keep your eyes on Me and
you’ll get the job done.
—Prophecy delivered by Kenneth Copeland
Oct. 19, 2008