One Nation Under God?

Question: What should Christians do to reverse our nation’s moral decline?

Answer: Pray! Christians know that prayers do, indeed, change things. The Bible tells us in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If My people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (NKJV) As Christians, we must make sure that we are living our own lives to please God. We need to repent from our own sins before we seek to witness to others about their need to turn from their sins. Unbelievers can often spot a hypocrite, and they are understandably turned off by them.

Plus, as Christians, we need not despair as we see evil gaining ground by way of the new laws that are being made in this country which go against the Word of God. Laws such as the ones attempting to redefine marriage or promote abortions, among others, are regularly in the news. Believers need not feel defeated as we witness polls that show the majority of people favoring what God’s Word clearly calls sin. The Bible tells us that God will not be mocked (Galatians 6:7). He is still in control. When a nation continues to be disobedient to God, it invites the wrath of God upon it. Each person will have to stand before Him one day to account for his or her deeds. God does not want us to reject Him and be lost. Therefore, be thankful that, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). The Bible says our sin separates us from God, who is holy. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for us, taking the punishment we deserve. We only need to accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord, ask God to forgive us our sins, and repent by turning from our sinful ways. Only by doing these things will we be saved and go to Heaven.

Additionally, America’s founding fathers were wise to include recognition of God in such places as the Declaration of Independence. Dr. Harold Pease, an expert on the US Constitution, wrote about the five references to God found in the Declaration of Independence. Most famous is the following reference about our Creator: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” (See http://www.libertyunderfire.org/2011/07/five-references-to-god-in-the-declaration-of-independence/). Also, in 1954, US President Dwight Eisenhower was wise to get Congress to add the words “under God” to the Pledge Of Allegiance. ( See http://www.ushistory.org/documents/pledge.htm). There are even carved images of the story of Moses in the building of the US Supreme Court. Despite the many wrongs this country has contributed to, like slavery and segregation, this country has done many other things right. For example, this country remains one of the nation of Israel’s closest allies. This country continues to be one that gives the most to address the world’s humanitarian needs. This nation continues to be considered the most powerful in the world. America has been blessed. America has a history of acknowledging God in its historical documents, national buildings, and patriotic songs. Most of its citizens call themselves Christian.

Therefore, America needs to remain a country which recognizes the existence of Almighty God. We would be wise to remember the part of the Pledge that says we are “one nation under God.” For the Bible tells us in Psalm 34:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD…” We need to remember to rely on the teachings of the Bible when making laws for our country and not govern in ways that go against God’s Word. This six-minute video clip of famous pastor Dr. Tony Evans uses humor to remind us of this very thing. See http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2012/07/27/dr-tony-evans-gods-immune-system-in-the-culture-is-the-church/# Enjoy!

(Blog is a re-post from 7/23/13.)

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Thank God for second chances!

Jun7

Question: I’m afraid I’ve messed up so many times God won’t forgive me again. Am I right?

Answer: No. “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 NKJV) God looks at our hearts. He knows when we are being sincere in our requests for His forgiveness or just saying words we don’t really mean. He also knows that we will keep “messing up” at times because we are all sinners. So, as we seek forgiveness, we must also pray for God to help us repent, or turn away from, our sins and live our lives to please Him.

And, just as we want God to forgive us when we sin and give us another chance to start over, God expects us to forgive others. He does not want us to be like the servant described in Matthew 18:23-35. In this story, we see how the king granted one person forgiveness of the enormous debt he owed the king. But, this same person refused to extend that same type of forgiveness to someone else who owed him a much smaller debt. This person ended up suffering punishment for his failure to forgive. In Luke 17:3, Jesus says, “Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.”

However, just because we are expected to forgive, it doesn’t mean we stop being wise. God also gives us wisdom. The Apostle Paul warns us in Ephesians 5:17, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” If someone is abusing you or committing some other sin, the Bible tells us that is wrong. That would not be God’s best for your life. You can and should forgive and pray for others without tolerating their sin.

Remember that because God extends His grace to us, He will give us another chance when we mess up. He will forgive us of our sins if we ask Him with a sincere heart. God wants us to repent of our sins and live our lives to please Him. We start to please Him when we accept His only Son, Jesus Christ, as our Lord and Savior. Jesus is the only One God gave us who took the punishment of death we deserved for our sins. Since sin separates us from a holy God, we can only go to Heaven by accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior, asking forgiveness, and repenting of our sins.

Thank God for second chances!

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Are you doing His will or your will?

May11

Question: I’ve been praying to get a job at a certain company for years. I keep applying, but I still haven’t gotten the job. Why won’t the Lord answer my prayers?

Answer: Maybe He already has! Just because you haven’t gotten the answer you want doesn’t mean God hasn’t answered. There could be many reasons you haven’t gotten that job. One reason being that you may not be ready for it due to your lack of having the necessary skills needed. Or, maybe God knows that you need to work at a different company for some reason. The bottom line is that if God wants you to have a certain job, He will make sure you get it. Our God is all-powerful! Also, since He is all-knowing, He knows what company is best for you. Still another possibility is that God does plan to give you a job at that company… just, not yet!

Too often, we think we already know, on our own, what is the best path to take in our life. But we fail to pray for the Lord to guide our thoughts, plans, and decision-making. We must always pray to follow God’s will for our lives even when we find this to be difficult. Hebrews 13:20-21 says, “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead…. make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” ( NKJV )

Therefore, we must not put our trust in ourselves to plan what is best for us. We must seek Jesus, through prayer, to give us wisdom and direct our paths. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us why we need to do this. Here God says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” (NIV)

Thankfully, we can always trust that our Heavenly Father knows what is best for us. He knows what paths we need to take. He knows the desires of our heart, and He wants what is best for us. So, as we make these important decisions in our lives, remember Matthew 6:33. In that verse Jesus says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (KJV )

Remember: God knows what’s best. Stay in His will for your life!

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You may think you’re hiding, but Jesus knows!

Apr11

Question: Being low-income, I usually ask for the senior discount at stores even though I’m a few years younger than the required age. Is this wrong?

Answer: Yes. You are being dishonest with these merchants, and you know it. Even if you try to justify yourself by saying these store owners are rich, and you live on a low-income, you’re still lying. (See Exodus 20:16) And, before you say that’s just Old Testament law, remember what the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 3:31. He said, “Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.” ( NKJV )

Unfortunately, even Believers sometimes think their behavior can be hidden from God if they can hide them from man. How else can you explain people who proclaim Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior yet purposely commit sinful acts? Most of us can name more than one such person who has tried to hide their sins. These sins have ranged from acts of sexual immorality and cheating on their income taxes to stealing and being mean to people. Even recent news stories include cases of politicians who proclaim their belief in traditional marriage, then hurt their Christian witness after being caught cheating on their spouse. We also have heard the heart-breaking stories of children being sexually abused by their pastors and church leaders. All these people thought they were hiding their sinful behaviors.

While you can sometimes hide your actions from man, you can’t hide them from God! The Lord says in Jeremiah 23:24, “Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?… Do I not fill heaven and earth?….” And, Hebrews 4:13 says, “…all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” So, even though you may think you are getting away with your sins because you can “pull one over” on your fellow-man, Jesus still knows all about the things you do. And, God will not be tricked by you! He will hold you accountable for your actions. In fact, Galatians 6:7 says, ” Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”

However, because of God’s great love for us, He has provided the only way for us to be saved from the fatal punishment for our sins. (See John 3:16) And that way is by our accepting God’s one and only Son, Jesus Christ, as our Lord and Savior! Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Therefore, we all need a Savior since we can’t ever be good enough to save ourselves. Jesus, the only one to be sinless and perfect, took the punishment we deserve for our sins by dying on the Cross. Praise God, He rose to life again on the third day!

So, thankfully, we can receive God’s free gift of salvation! Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins. Turn away from your sinful behavior (repent) and start living your life to please God! The time has come to stop hiding!

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Be careful who you listen to for the truth!

Mar12

Question: One of my college religion professors told us that we should not interpret the Bible as being literally given by God. Is he right?

Answer: No. Your professor is wrong! That’s another reason why we should read God’s Holy Word for ourselves, so we can learn the truth. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (NKJV)

Therefore, your professor can be added to a list of people you must be careful of, when you listen to them, if you are a Believer. The Apostle John warns Christians not to believe everything they are told about matters pertaining to their faith. For there will be many claiming they are speaking moral truths, but in reality, they are lying! (Read 1 John 4:1-6) If they are telling you things that agree with what the Bible says, they are speaking the truth. But if they say other things that go against what the Bible says, they are not speaking God’s truth.

Sadly, instead of using this standard as their moral guide, too many people tend to blindly believe people simply based on the person’s likeability or popularity. That’s why you can find even Believers turning their back on God’s teachings to support the sinful teachings of their favorite celebrities and politicians. These famous people may be intelligent, beautiful, talented, and rich. So people admire and want to support them. And, in the case of the politicians, people may like the promises they make to them and just ignore it when those same politicians are clearly supporting sin. Jesus warns us about these “false teachers.” (See Matthew 7:15-19) Don’t be fooled into listening to their sinful teachings.

The Bible also tells us that people may prefer to listen to those who simply tell them what they want to hear. For example, 2 Timothy 4: 3-4 says, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” In other words, they don’t want to listen to God.

So, Believers, be careful who you listen to for the truth. Know whether or not you are hearing the truth according to God’s Holy Word. Study the Bible for yourself and pray that God’s Holy Spirit will help you discern the difference between when you are hearing the truth and when you are hearing a lie. Only follow God’s truth!

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Does love really mean not calling sin…sin?

Feb11

Question: Shouldn’t Christians just show love to others and stop trying to shame them about their sins?

Answer: That depends on what you mean by “showing love.” Consider this: a good and loving parent teaches their child right from wrong and lets that child know that doing wrong (sinning) will lead to negative consequences. For example, the loving parent will teach their child not to play with matches. They will tell him what could happen if he started a fire that caused himself or others to be seriously burned. The parent would let the child know that his disobedience could even lead to the entire house burning to the ground. If that child still goes and plays with the matches, the parent will tell the child, again, why this was wrong and punish the child to discourage him from doing it again. Likely, that child will feel ashamed when being called out for doing wrong.

But, better that parent tell that child what he was doing was wrong than keeping the child ignorant of the dangers of his actions… actions that could possibly lead to catastrophic results! That parent telling the child his behavior was wrong was actually showing love to that child. For it would not be very loving to let that child remain unaware of his dangerous behavior and the potentially deadly consequences.

Likewise, God wants Believers to tell the world His Gospel. In fact, Jesus left us with the Great Commission to, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” ( Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV) Of utmost importance in what His Holy Word teaches is the deadly consequences of our sin. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Since Romans 3:23 says that we “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” we all need our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Therefore, it would not be very loving to keep people ignorant of the dangers of their sinful behavior. Letting people know what sin is and the consequences of their sin is actually a loving thing to do. Just always let them know in ways that are compassionate and caring – remembering that we were all lost in sin until we accepted Jesus as our Savior. Thank God for His saving grace!

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Please save me, Mommy!

Jan8

Question: With the 44th anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision this month, why do conservative Christians still want to deny women the right to choose?

Answer: Sadly, at least 58,586,256 babies have been aborted since the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationally in this country. (See http://www.nrlc.org/uploads/factsheets/FS01AbortionintheUS.pdf ) For Bible-believing Christians, this horribly high number of abortions continues to serve as motivation for the pro-life cause.

Christians know that it is Almighty God who gives life. We have read those powerful words of Psalm 139:13-14, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.” (NKJV) As Believers, we also know that the Bible says children are a blessing from God. Psalm 127:3-5 says, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.” (NKJV) So, as Christians, we are to protect and value life!

Unfortunately, it is politically incorrect to even talk about the baby when discussing abortion. Abortion rights advocates tend to keep the debate centered around the woman and her so-called “right to choose” — meaning to “choose” to end her baby’s life. They do not discuss the baby’s right to live. They also tend to keep the debate focused around pregnancies resulting from rape, incest, or the need to abort to save the life of the mother. But statistics show that all 3 of these causes together amount to fewer than 5% of the reasons for abortions. Don’t hold your breath that the pro-choice crowd would even agree to outlaw all abortions except for these reasons. Their goal is to keep all abortions — without any restrictions.

That’s one reason the pro-choicers rally around Planned Parenthood, the largest provider of abortions in this country. (See: http://dailysignal.com/2016/09/14/the-numbers-that-show-planned-parenthood-about-abortion-not-womens-health/amp/) While that organization does give referrals for things like mammograms and Pap tests, their main business and big money-maker is providing abortions. If you really believe their priority is just “women’s health” like they claim, ask them to stop the abortion part of their business and keep the other services to receive taxpayer money. Again, don’t hold your breath.

Meanwhile, many taxpayers would cringe at the knowledge that over half a billion dollars of their tax money is going to support this abortion organization which was started to promote eugenics. This is what Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger thought abortion could do for the black community — people she believed had undesirable traits. (See: http://www.afajournal.org/past-issues/2016/december/planned-parenthood-celebrates-100-years-7-million-dead-babies/ ) In recent years, more abortion clinics were located near African-American communities. The result: by 2011, the abortion rate for African -American women was higher than the rates for both Hispanic and white women, according to the Guttmacher Institute. (See more on this at http://www.blackgenocide.org/ and http://www.afajournal.org/past-issues/2012/october/she-called-it-racial-betterment/ )

Obviously, as Christians, we know that we are to pray for and help those who are in distress. That’s why Christians must reach out and help women who are experiencing unwanted pregnancies. We want these women to choose life, even if they decide to put their babies up for adoption. We want them to know that adoption is a loving option for those moms who do not choose to keep their babies because they were raped, don’t have enough money to take care of them, feel they are too young, etc. Some of the best resources available to help women with unwanted pregnancies are local crisis pregnancy centers (visit http://www.care-net.org). These centers can often provide free ultrasounds, baby clothes, and information on other resources in the community that can help them.

While no woman wants to be in a crisis pregnancy situation, women must be informed that what they are carrying is not some meaningless piece of tissue. It is a new life. Even if that new life was a result of something as horrible as rape, destroying the baby is not the morally correct thing to do. That baby from an evil, rapist biological father can still become the loving child of wonderful adoptive parents and become a great citizen of this world. (For helpful information on pro-life issues, check out the National Right to Life website at http://www.nrlc.org/ ) Also, while it is now very rare in this country to have a mother’s life literally threatened by giving birth, the Bible does speak of being able to practice self-defense to save your life. Even then, many mothers would want the doctors to do everything possible to try to save both mother and child.

All this said, if a woman has had an abortion and regrets her decision, Christians know that these women can ask the Lord to forgive them of their sins, and He will. They can be very effective spokespersons for the pro-life cause by telling other women with unwanted pregnancies not to listen to the deceptive voices of the pro-abortion movement. They can tell them, instead, to remember God’s Word. And, listen to the little voice of the new life inside them who wants to live and is saying, “Please save me, Mommy!”

Make the morally right choice: Choose life!

Updated from my January 23, 2013 Post

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Don’t have a Jesus-free Christmas!

Dec4

Question: In the hustle and bustle of the season, how can I make sure I’m keeping Christ in Christmas?

Answer: Even dedicated Christians can sometimes find themselves consumed with every tradition of the holiday season except what’s most important. They can forget that Jesus really is the reason for the season! Christians know that this is the time of the year we choose to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Therefore, we should make the time and make the effort to keep Christ in our Christmas! But, if we know this, then why don’t we do it?

Unfortunately, some Christians can get as consumed with creating the picture-perfect Christmas experience as the world does. They fill themselves with anxiety trying to get the best super sales on the most popular gifts. Adults get worked up over seeing their peers gifting themselves with the latest “must-have” gadgets and new technology. They wear themselves out trying to keep up with the trends of the crowd. They forget to pause, reflect, and be thankful for the greatest gift – Jesus Christ.

Likewise, many Christian families find themselves in turmoil during this season. Married couples fight over which in-laws they are going to spend Christmas Day with. Parents argue over how much money they are going to spend to make sure their children have this year’s hottest toys. They fill the family calendar with so many seasonal activities that they find themselves exhausted. Yet, they fail to make time for the most important things – reading, meditating on, and discussing God’s Word.

Most importantly, during this season of spending extra time with family and friends, too many Christians fail to include in their discussions talk of their walk with the Lord. They tend not to share with their family and friends how God has brought them faithfully through this year. They are willing to talk about everything else but Jesus. It doesn’t have to be this way.

Don’t have a Jesus-free Christmas! See that you and your family are keeping Christ in Christmas. There are many ways you can do this. For example, plan to take your family to a church Christmas program that tells the story of Christ’s birth. While decorating the tree, play or sing Christmas hymns that give praise to our Lord. Make sure to share with your family and friends how God has blessed you this year. And, always make sure your family knows the story of the birth of our Savior. Luke 2: 1-20 spells out in detail how Jesus was born in Bethlehem. This Bible passage may be one you’d even want to read aloud together.

And, have a very Merry CHRISTmas!

Updated from my December 11, 2014 Post

Christians: What you don’t know can hurt you!

Nov16

Question: Most Americans identify as being Christians. But is it true that many of them are unclear about what they believe?

Answer: It’s true if you believe the results of the “State of American Theology Study 2016.” Read about this study in the WND.com article, “American Christians cave on core beliefs.” http://www.wnd.com/2016/10/american-christians-cave-on-core-beliefs/ Too many Christians lack basic knowledge of their own faith. In fact, from reading the results of this study, you might wonder why some of these people want to call themselves Christians at all.

Christians should know that the Bible clearly tells us that we are to believe what is written in the Scriptures and that the Scriptures are given by God. In fact, 2 Timothy 3: 16-17 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (NKJV) Therefore, by studying the Bible and praying for God to give them understanding of His Holy Word, Believers will grow in their knowledge of what they are to believe.

Interestingly, the results of this study would indicate that there are many who lack basic scriptural knowledge. For example, 70% of those in this study agreed the God of the Trinity (God the Father; God the Son; and God the Holy Spirit) is the one true God. They agreed that God does not make a mistake and is the author of Scripture. But fewer than half say the Bible is entirely accurate. Maybe this would help explain why 64% believe that “God accepts the worship of all religions” and 60% believe that “Heaven is a place where all people will ultimately be reunited with their loved ones.” Additionally, only 40% believe “hell is an eternal place of judgment where God sends all people who do not personally trust in Jesus Christ.” Maybe the others forgot what Jesus said to certain evildoers in Matthew 23:33 when He said, “Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?”

Sadly, these numbers also suggest that many Christians are confused about their beliefs. In Exodus 20:3, God says, “You should have no other gods before Me.” Since most religions worship other gods, their worship can’t be accepted by our Almighty God. Additionally John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” And, in John 14: 6, Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Therefore, God’s Word is clear that only those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will go to Heaven. Since we know that not everyone accepts Jesus as their Savior, we know that not all people will be reunited with their loved ones in Heaven one day — only those who are Believers. Believers are those who know that the Bible says we are all sinners. The wages of our sin is death. By dying on the cross, Jesus took the punishment we deserved for our sins. Only by asking God to forgive us of our sins, repenting of our sins, and accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, will we go to Heaven and not to hell!

Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” In other words, Christians, what you don’t know can hurt you! So, commit to studying the Bible. Pray to grow in the knowledge and blessings of God’s Holy Word!

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Will God get thrown under the bus this election?

Oct6

Question: Does God care how we vote?

Answer: God cares about everything we do including how we vote. When we vote for someone who has made clear the agenda they plan to implement, we help them carry out that agenda. If that agenda goes against the teachings of God, then we are helping them work against God’s plan. One day, we will answer to God for what we have done. Our loyalty to a political party or candidate should not be stronger than our loyalty to God.

As Christians, we know from studying God’s Word, the Bible, that it is God who determines what is right and what is wrong and not political poll results. Believers understand that even when a majority of the people vote to endorse anything that God calls sin, it’s still sin, and God’s people should not help support it.

For example, one of the biggest social issues being debated in our time is the definition of marriage. However, if you know God’s Word, then you know that there is nothing to debate. God created marriage to be a union between one man and one woman, period. In fact, Jesus said this in Matthew 19:4-6, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female’ and said ‘For this reason a man should leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man separate.” (NKJV)

God has defined marriage. He created it. Are you planning to vote for a candidate who defines marriage opposite to how God defines it? If you vote for this person, you will be helping him or her push an agenda that goes against the Word of God.

Another major issue of our time is the legalization of abortion. We know that abortion is the ending of a baby’s life. As Believers, we must remember who it was that gave that baby life to begin with. It is almighty God who, alone, gives life. Psalm 139:13-14, says it beautifully: “For You have formed my inward parts. You have covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.” (NKJV)

Plus, we know that children are a gift from God, no matter how good or how bad their parents are. In Psalm 127:3, the Bible says, ” Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is His reward.” (NKJV) Are you planning to vote for a candidate who is pro-life, someone who sees the baby in their mother’s womb as a gift from God? Or, does your candidate support abortion?

More than 60 million babies have been aborted since the 1973 legalization of abortion. More than 96% of these abortions have not been done to save the mother’s life. By voting for a pro-abortion candidate, one who will have the power to put more pro-abortion judges on the Supreme Court and keep abortion legal, you will be helping more babies’ lives to end. Will you be proud to defend voting for pro-abortion candidates before God?

Many professed Christians explain their support for anti-traditional marriage and pro-abortion candidates by saying that these candidates will help the poor and minorities. While there may be some good programs your candidate supports that help those in need, other programs — even though of good intentions — tend to encourage the needy to stay needy. Evidence of this can be seen by visiting poor communities in cities across the country, Many of these communities have remained poor under leadership of both political parties, even after several decades.

Christians know that the best way out of poverty is by living God’s way, putting your trust in Him, and making decisions about how you live that please God. No matter who wins the political race, Christians will always be able to help the poor by leading them out of poverty God’s way.

The bottom line is that no candidate will be perfect. As Christians, we are to pray for all of our leaders. We want them all to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and repent of their sins. Yet still, voting for a candidate who has openly promised to support things that God clearly calls sin is to support an agenda that goes against the Word of God. Since the Lord will hold us accountable for whom we support, pray that you make the right choices. Let’s not throw God under the bus this election or anytime!

(Updated from my November 2, 2012 blog post)

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