Monday, January 23, 2017

Church and State Not So Separated This Weekend

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While secular-progressive women marched and mocked America's new president, and conservatives in general---singer Madonna told the girls she has thought about "blowing up the White House" and actress Ashley Judd said, "I feel Hitler in these streets" ---President Trump and Vice-President Pence went to church... several times.

CBN and other Christian news organizations reported there was "an unprecedented amount of prayer involved in this Inauguration," in fact, the inauguration ceremony itself included 6 religious leaders, more than any other inauguration in history.

The Left is so confused, Nancy Pelosi is now claiming it is the "Democrats" not the Republicans "who do the Lord's work."


While 6 religious leaders participated in the actual Inauguration Ceremony, there was also the traditional interfaith service on Saturday morning which featured leaders from various faiths, with a strong representation of evangelical leaders.

In a Friday morning service, Pastor Robert Jeffress, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, gave a sermon on Nehemiah. The text of which was misunderstood by many in the press and the religious Left. More on that later.

Dr. David Jeremiah said, "I am deeply honored and grateful to be participating...As a pastor and as an American, I am humbled by the prospect of supporting the new administration in this sacred way and on behalf of the entire nation... I ask that all those who love America will join me in praying that this will be a time of unity and celebration for our citizens, a moment of reflection on the goodness, mercy, and grace God has bestowed on our great country."

While that lifts the hearts of biblical Christians, many do not share Dr. Jeremiah's sentiments---they are not celebrating, nor do they seek unity, rather they are demanding it be their way or no way.

Those who have so fervently preached a gospel of equality, fairness, inclusion and the virtue of love and open-mindedness apparently are unwilling to actually practice what they preach.

Back on November 18, Townhall published 10 cartoons that captured the post-election meltdown of the Left. Check them out and smile.

Moments after the inauguration, rioters ran through the streets of Washington DC and elsewhere, looting, burning cars and limos, spray painting and yelling "cops, pigs, murderers"---even, in fact, spraying the word "PIGS" on an Army truck.

That should not bring a smile to anyone's face.

While the anger took on a different tone, it was no less the theme---the narrative, of the woman's marches on Saturday.

When it was announced that the FBI would be looking into Madonna's remarks about blowing up the White House, last night she began walking back her comments as "a mere expression of her frustrations" ---"didn't really mean it." We'll see how all that shakes out.

Saturday was a day of tantrums by thousands of women who said they are "angry." And by some men whom the woman allowed to join them.

I couldn't help but think of Proverbs 19:13 in which Solomon describes the nagging wife---the angry woman.

Samuel Rodriquez of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference and an Assemblies of God pastor from California read from the Sermon on the Mount in chapter 5 of the Gospel of Matthew:

"God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. And God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things about you because you are my followers. For you are the light of the world---like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. no one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on its stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light so shine so that all will see and will praise your heavenly Father."
To the church of Jesus Christ: "Don't let opposition and sometimes violent opposition distract you from the true calling and purpose. Be light. Be salt. Be bold, don't put your lamp under a bushel. Let it shine."

Dr. Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church, one of the largest and fastest growing churches in America, said at the prayer service, "This is a time of change for America and the world. At moments it has felt as if so much hangs in the balance. Yet, I believe we can approach this new era of our nation's history with hope, for one thing hasn't changed---we remain 'One Nation Under God'. May we as a people lean upon the same faith in God that has given us purpose and strength for over two-and-a-half centuries."

Dramatic change is occurring as we speak. Real change creates fear in those without a fixed anchor---a fixed worldview. Nothing is more frightening to the secular progressive than change that he does not control.

Today, the Trump administration plans to announce that America will be moving our embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a show of increased support for Israel, and an understanding of the biblical covenant with Israel.

It is very likely that President Trump will announce the de-funding of Planned Parenthood on the anniversary of Roe v Wade or on the day of the March for Life in Washington DC---January 27.

Kellyanne Conway, chair of the Trump campaign, and now a senior advisor to the president, will be the featured speaker in DC.

In Olympia, Washington the annual March for Life convenes on the steps of the Capitol today at noon.

In Spokane, Washington the Walk for Life Northwest joins Lifeline Ministries at Riverfront Park on Saturday, January 28th at 11 AM.

There are others around Washington State and in each state across the country. Participate in one near you if possible.

Pastor Robert Jeffress gave a sermon at the Prayer Breakfast service before the Inauguration on Friday---one of 3 such services held this weekend.

In it, Dr. Jeffress told the story familiar to most biblical Christians of how God used Nehemiah, not a previously recognized leader (politician) to do a special work for the Lord.

He spoke of the distractions from Sanballat and Tobiah, likening them to today's media, while encouraging soon-to-be President Trump to stand strong, ignore the distractions, etc. Quoting Nehemiah saying, "Why should I stop the work and come down to you...the work is far too important to stop and answer your critics." You know the story.

The Washington Post , whether ignorantly or purposefully, immediately published an article titled, "God Is Not Against Building Walls--The Sermon Trump Heard from Robert Jeffress Before His Inauguration."

You can read the entire story, but the Post chose to quote people very critical of Trump and Jeffress claiming that Jeffress' sermon "seems, on the one hand, to be encouraging Trump's hubris," while appearing to turn Trump toward humility.

The experts said in the article that Pastor Jeffress' sermon was political, with "less emphasis on loving mercy and walking humbly before God and more on building the wall."

Because of the criticism, Jeffress was asked by many in the press to explain himself, giving him an opportunity to share his very biblical points of the sermon.

Nancy Pelosi, not to be left behind, told the press Saturday that so-called religious Republicans "exploit their faith" and that the Democrats are actually the one's who are "putting the Bible into action."

She said, "They pray in church on Sunday, and they prey on everyone the rest of the week."

"And while we're doing the Lord's work by ministering to the needs of God's creation, they are ignoring those needs, which is to dishonor the God who made them," she told the press.

Ironically, it was only last summer that Nancy Pelosi herself held up anti-Zika legislation multiple times to protect taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood, an organization she has also described as one that "does God's work." And organization over which President Obama publicly invoked God's blessing upon.

Real change is underway.

Be ready. Be Informed. Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Prayerful. Be Not Afraid.