Our constitution was made only for a moral and righteous people. It is wholly inadequate for the governance of any other. John Adams

We are not a Christian nation. Barack Obama

One of our elders at the church where I preach has an interesting philosophy: He does not like doing business with anybody who doesn't believe in Hell. When you think about it, the reasoning is pretty sound. A person who does not believe in Hell is subject to his own moral code. If that includes lying, cheating and stealing, then why not, because he believes in no future punishment. On the other hand, a person who believes in both an eternal reward and the eternal fire will likely conduct his business with those beliefs firmly in mind.

As I look at our current state of politics, I am convinced that it is not producing the type of government that our founders had in mind. Thomas Jefferson, who has been misrepresented as being staunchly opposed to religion in the public square, did the exact opposite in real life. As President, he had the duty of chairmanship of the public schools in Washington D.C. One of his official acts during that time was to order the use of both the Bible and Watts Hymnal (a Christian songbook) in all of D.C.'s public schools. This is part of our history, yet his famous comment to a clergyman on the separation of church and state has been misapplied and misused over and over, depending on the whims of our politically appointed judiciary.

There is little question that our modern day politicians have run from religion (except when expedient to "look" religious). Maybe it is time for a new standard. Maybe it is time to refuse to vote for anyone who does not believe in Hell - or, for that matter, anyone who acts like they don't. We have ignored morality in our elections for many years now because of a fool's belief that politics should be divorced from religion. How's that working?

We have a nation of great value that is worth the effort it will take to rescue from the actions of godless men. It can be saved if we return to the standards of those who founded our nation and its constitution. In short, it can be saved if we as a nation return to God. It is time, I believe, to return people to positions of leadership who have not forgotten who we are.

When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when wicked men rise to power, men go into hiding.

Proverbs 28:12, NIV

First, poll. Then, form your opinion.

The American Politician

For those of you as old as me, you likely will remember Richard M. Nixon and the Watergate scandal. At the end of that event, our President rightfully stepped down from office, rather than face a certain impeachment.

A poll came out in the next year or two that reflected the opinion of the populace. It was a poll of the most hated men in history. If I recall correctly, the top three names on the list were Judas, Adolph Hitler and Richard Nixon.

The first two, I can see. Judas betrayed Christ. Hitler was responsible for WWII and the Jewish concentration camps. Nixon, on the other hand, was hated because he lied to the American people. There were other things involved in Watergate - things that were very serious - but it was the bold-faced lying that earned him the hatred of the common man.

Today the majority of Americans apparently will neither tolerate nor vote for a man who will not lie to them. It's all part of the game in America these days. As long as most people have enough money to stay at home and drink their beer and smoke their marijuana, what do they care?

I know that sounds harsh and more than a bit jaded, but how else can we explain the current state of affairs in America today? In the midst of scandal after scandal. our President enjoys a rating that is more favorable than unfavorable. Richard Nixon would have loved to have been President today! He probably would have polled as one of the most beloved men in history in 2013!

Now, for the poll question that I would like to see. It is exclusively for the brave men and women who serve as United States Marines.

Which would you prefer:

A) To respond to the terrorist attack in Benghazi, knowing that your very life would have been at risk

B) To hold the umbrella for the President of the United States in the peace and security of the Rose Garden?

What do you think the results of that poll would be?

If a liar and deceiver comes and says, "I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer", that would be just the prophet for this people!

Micah 2:11, NIV

A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the naive keep going and suffer.

King Solomon

We live in unsettled times. Whether you fear God or not, you would likely agree with this statement, but for the righteous it is obvious. For the Constitutionalists, it is almost incomprehensible to see those we trust in the government as they knowingly shred the Constitution. And make no mistake about it: We have men and women from all three branches of government who are intentionally violating the very document they have sworn to uphold.

For the Christian, it is almost unbearable. We see the unborn ruthlessly slaughtered by the thousands each day. We see immoral behavior not only championed, but forced upon us. We see our holy God and His holy Son mocked and ridiculed - often by the very religious leaders who are supposed to be honoring Their holiness.

So, what are we to do?

The answer, I believe, is twofold: First, we need to see the danger and take shelter. That shelter can only be found in God, but we also have our part to do. God has given each one of us a brain. We are smart people and we are capable of figuring out what to do for our specific situations - so start figuring! We need to be aware of what is going on. We need to pray for God's help and direction. And, we need to be preparing ourselves for bad times ahead... for they are surely coming.

The second thing we need to do is even more important: Trust God and don't fret. We have been created for eternity, so don't risk that eternity just because you have difficulty here on earth. This world really is a test - how are you doing so far? If you feel that you could be doing better, then welcome to the club. As to the specifics of what you need to do - pray, read, obey, trust... and wait quietly for God. If you will do your part, He will do His.

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, "In returning and rest you shall be saved;

in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.

But you were unwilling.

Isaiah 30:15, ESV

Are we willing?

“State attorneys general are not obligated to defend laws that they believe are discriminatory.” The above quote is from a February 24, 2014 article in the New York Times.They are quoting from an interview with U. S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who has instructed state attorney generals that they don’t have to enforce any current gay marriage bans that happen to be the laws of the states in which they serve. The only requirement is what they “believe”.

This is the same U. S. Attorney General who has refused to enforce racial discrimination laws against entire groups of people based solely on the color of their skin. He is the same U. S. Attorney General who has refused to enforce any current U. S. laws that he and the president don’t like on illegal aliens and immigration. Their only restriction is what they “believe”.

Senators Mike Lee has indicated that the President has committed impeachable crimes. Senator Ted Cruz has indicated that the President is lawless. And, as much as I admire the two men who I believe have been the most courageous and outspoken concerning the President’s and Attorney General’s unconstitutional behavior, thus far no one in the House or Senate has moved to do their sworn constitutional duty of stopping this type of behavior.

If this makes you mad, it should. It is illegal. It is unpatriotic. It is dangerous! But, even more dangerous is when we as Christians refuse to obey and enforce the laws that we have promised to uphold. You see, when we become Christians, we have effectively agreed to live for God and Christ. But, when it comes down to it, do we really keep that agreement? Or… do we only keep those parts of God’s laws that we “believe” in?

Do we lie? Do we lust? Do we support sinful activities? Do we say that God is wrong when he calls adultery and fornication and homosexuality sin? Do we vote for people who promise to uphold a woman’s “right” to terminate the life of her unborn baby – even though that baby has a beating human heart?

Do we worship with the church described in the New Testament, or with one that is more customized to our own particular tastes? Do we study to show ourselves approved? Do we pray without ceasing? Or, are we lawless Christians who have broken God’s covenants based on what we prefer, rather than what God has commanded?

Our leaders ignoring of the Constitution has effectively made us a nation without laws. And our ignoring of God’s word has effectively made us a lawless people. The difference is that a nation without a Constitution or laws can do whatever it wants and still be called a nation. But, can a people who disregard Christ’s laws be any longer honestly called Christians?

I don’t like what has happened to my country! I believe we are on a path to destruction if we don’t do something soon. I wonder, sometimes, if Jesus likes what is happening to His church? It’s something to think about… before it’s too late.

“Declare to my people their rebellion and to the house of Jacob their sins. For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways,as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God.”Isaiah 58:1-2, NIV