NRBC Blog

I know that many of you are disappointed and concerned over the national election results. You were praying for a different direction. It didn’t happen. Now what?

Let me remind you of an incident in the life of King David. Perhaps you recall how the child born out of the adulterous relationship between him and Bathsheba was sick. Samuel had confronted David about his sin and told him that the child would die. Yet, David faithfully prayed and fasted to the point that his subjects were concerned for his health. Then the child died and they were even more afraid that he would be so overtaken in grief that he might harm himself. David, however, received the news, took a bath, put on clean clothes and some cologne, and got back to work.

When his subjects asked him why he acted that way, he told them, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” IE, God’s in charge and our duty is to serve Him. (2 Sa 12:22-23)

We, too, have prayed. Now we must get to work, doing what we have always been called to do; carry out the Great Commission. As we do that, there is a strategic directive which applies now more than ever; “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.” (1 Ti 2:1-3)

The environment in which we work often changes, but the work we are called to do remains the same!

In Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, he said, “…we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the Earth.”

Yet, last week, as the stock market was rocked and the news of billion dollar bailouts was being announced, it became obvious that this nation is in crisis. What on earth is happening to us?

It’s not really all that complicated. Just listen again to Lincoln! We are a nation “of the people.” We are the government. We only elect people to represent us in Washington. Yet, when we acquiesce our rights and responsibilities to others… when we fail to guard our nation’s direction… when we don’t hold our representatives accountable, we find that position becomes power, appointment becomes ambition, and service become self-serving. That’s why we find so many politicians in Washington and so few statesmen! We “the people” have set a system in motion that we have failed to control and we are now paying the price! And, we have done the same thing with every governmental agency; the public schools, welfare, etc!

Lincoln reminded us that we are a nation “of the people”, and we are also a nation “by the people.” Like union bosses who can use the power of membership to attain their own ambitions goals, government has used the people to sustain political ambition. Just look at the recent bailouts. How much money does congress have to spend? None! Congress has no money! When they give money away, they give our money away. All spending comes out of our pockets! But, we have been hoodwinked into thinking that it’s all coming from somewhere else. No! The piper will be paid, and you and I will pay him!

And, Lincoln reminded us of something else. America is a nation “for the people.” Public officials are to work for the public good. They are not to be self-propagating and self-accommodating. They work for us and it is our interests that they must protect. Yet, we see graphically portrayed in the present presidential race that there are promises for everyone. “Elect me and I will give you…” I will give you? Again, Congress has no money! It’s all a ruse, a ploy to gain selfish ends. If ever there was a need to judge where someone is going by looking at where they have been, it is now!

But, sadly, there is a greater failing in America. I am convinced that it is the real source of our problems. From it have sprung all the ills that now beset us. Did you notice how Lincoln carefully began his statement? “That this nation, under God, shall have…” We have departed from the Source of our blessing. We have ignored the Supreme Authority under which we stand. We have thumbed our noses at the Great Judge Who sees all and Who holds this nation… who hold us accountable. He is giving us what we deserve. We “want it our way” and we are getting it. Unfortunately, we are finding that what we wanted is not what we need. If there are cracks in America’s foundation, we have put them there for we are a government “of the people!”

Is there any hope? Ask Lincoln! He said it long ago. “That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom.” America needs a new birth! Freedom must be born again. We must lay selfish interests aside and realize afresh that America exist for more than what I want. America was born out of purpose, and that purpose is freedom that ensures both liberty and justice for all. It is the lamp in the hand of Lady Liberty; it is the stars that brighten the corner of the flag that waves over our land; and, I believe it is the opportunity to live for and bring glory to the God Who has made it all possible.

As we go to the polls this year, may all of us be reminded that liberty and morality go hand in hand. May we never forget that “we the people” are the government, and we are responsible for how it is run. And, may we remember that when someone promises us health and wealth and happiness, those things can never and will never be supplied by government. It is only God Who can “supply all our needs!”

Well, the election in on the road. Both the Republicans and the Democrats will be vying for our votes for the next two months, and before it’s all over with, we’ll just be glad when it’s over!

So, now that the decision is in our court, how do you decide who will get your vote? Well, I like to be biblical, so I wondered if there might be some biblical precedent for choosing a leader. As I gave it some thought, I remembered how Paul always had to gain respect as an Apostle. He wanted to lead the churches with credibility, and he knew that meant gaining the confidence of those he was leading. How did he do it?

In Philippians 3, he began by pointing to his past record. There was tangible evidence in the way he had lived his life to show his sincerity even before he became a believer. After he met Jesus, that sincerity became a fervent desire to serve the Lord no matter the cost. And, cost him it did! He paid dearly for the privilege of knowing Christ and being His follower.

Next, he shared his personal goal of setting aside the past with a firm resolve to sacrificially fulfill the mission to which he had been called. With that, he could say, follow me.

Now, if I use the biblical model, what do I discover when I examine the track record and resolve of the candidates running for the U.S. presidency? For me, it’s a no-brainer!

If ever there was a time when we needed to set rhetoric and stage presence aside and examine both the lives and the convictions of the candidates, it is now. So much is at stake. We must take our responsibilities seriously and seriously examine how we will cast our vote. Of course, that means vote, and that, too, is a no-brainer!

So, Michael Moore has decided there is a God! Speaking on MSNBC, the director of "Fahrenheit 911" said, "I was just thinking, this Gustav is proof that there is a God in heaven… To just have it planned at the same time, that it would actually be on its way to New Orleans for Day One of the Republican convention, up in the Twin Cities, at the top of the Mississippi River."

What a surprise! But, whose candidate advocates the freedom of choice to terminate the life of unborn, even partial birth abortion? And, who advocates the legitimacy of homosexual marriage as an acceptable lifestyle? Who is it that mocks the very Book which reveals why God casted out the previous inhabitants of Canaan; that infanticide, idolatry, and sexual perversion are an abomination to Him? (Deu 9:4-5, 12:31-32; Lev 18)

Mr. Moore, I fear there is a storm coming, but its course is not just towards Louisiana! Ring the bell; blow the horn; sound the alarm! God is alive, and He has not changed. He will not forever endure the obstinance of a people who ignore Him.

The liberal cries of liberal politicians are just another indicator that man is slipping to the lowest depths of sin. “Who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” (Ro 1:32)

In my devotional reading last week, I came across an interesting translation of 1 Corinthians 3:1-3. The Message has, "But for right now, friends, I'm completely frustrated by your unspiritual dealings with each other and with God. You're acting like infants in relation to Christ, capable of nothing much more than nursing at the breast. Well, then, I'll nurse you since you don't seem capable of anything more. As long as you grab for what makes you feel good or makes you look important, are you really much different than a babe at the breast, content only when everything's going your way?"

Is that contemporary or what! "…what makes you feel good… makes you look important… content only when everything's going your way?" When was the last time you saw church members acting like that?

We all have opinions, likes, dislikes, and preferences. Who gets their way? Do you cast lots, take a poll, or have civil war and see who wins? You can always just close and lock the doors and everybody go their separate ways! But, isn’t there something better than everyone trying to have it their way; a higher purpose that brings us all together and puts us all in sync?

Yes, and Paul knew what it was. It is partnering with God to build His church. Notice, it is "His" church! It’s not ours, yours, or mine! It’s His. He is the Architect, and we are builders working for Him.

Now, wouldn’t it be a hoot if a work crew started arguing among themselves because they didn’t like the tools others were using. "You shouldn’t use that new hammer; old ones are better. Put that ‘electric’ saw down! Use a handsaw." Or, suppose some started complaining because the carpenters were not hammering with a certain rhythm and others were not "in uniform!" The work would never get done; and, in most churches, we aren’t doing what we were called to do!

Babies! That’s what he calls them. They’re whining when they ought to be winning; bellyaching when they ought to be building. Paul implies that the church nursery is full but not populated by the children of prospective families. It’s full of church members who ought to be functioning at the university level.

Paul’s call echoes down through the centuries and challenges us to stop choosing sides and start filling seats. We must stop arguing among ourselves and start working together for the greater good; serving the Master and building "His" church!

Michael Phelps did it! I have not heard how many were watching when he broke the Olympic gold medal record, but I imagine it was a lot. I had to Tevo it myself. In fact, I recorded two events, Phelps and the Saddleback interview of Obama and McCain. I have watched Phelps win, but the other… I’ll have to get around to it!

Does that mean that I am not interested in the current political scene? Absolutely not! I care very much about the next presidential election; however, a man representing America who was about to put our nation in the record books… It commanded my attention more. We tend to rally when someone commands national attention.

Now, that prods my imagination. We are a nation in love with “self”, and materialism is the order of the day. Even the election is polarizing many who are looking for “what is best for ‘me’!” But, for one brief week, we had our eyes drawn to China and glued upon a man swimming in eight races. And, why did we want him to win? Because we are Americans, and he represented America.

I wonder, what will it take for us to want what is best for America rather than what is best for “me”? What would God have to do to strip our eyes off ourselves so that we could get back to our original focus of “God, Family, and Country”? Would He have to remove the “things” that are now preoccupying us? Like the “Walton’s”, would we have to endure a Great Depression in order to again see the value of family, family values, and national pride? And, if He did, would it be so bad?

Every year, we are moving further away from those who remember soup kitchens and bread lines. They tell me it was a difficult time but also a time filled with good memories. They didn’t have much, but neither did anyone else! It was enough to have a plate of food, a place to sleep, a change of clothes, to have a family, and to be Americans!

Michael, you did well! Too bad that we will soon forget how great it was to root for you.

Last night, I was teaching from Daniel in my in-home small group. You probably remember the story about Nebuchadnezzar’s dream; how he demanded that his counselors first reveal the dream prior to giving their interpretation. When they were unable to comply, the king gave the order to have all the counselors killed. Then, Daniel shows up. He and his three friends had taken their case before God, and He had revealed the dream.

As Daniel met with Nebuchadnezzar, the king must have listened with stark amazement. Someone had actually been able to honor his demands. Prophecy prognosticators love to expound upon the dream and its past and future events, but there is one statement in Daniel’s record that has previously escaped by notice. In verse 37 of chapter two, Daniel tells the king, “You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory.” Notice, “God did this, not you!”

What’s so important about that statement? Well, had Nebuchadnezzar listened to and believed that one statement, he would have been spared seven years of insanity! You see, if you fast forward to chapter four, you read about his second dream. In verse 25, Daniel warns Nebuchadnezzar that “They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”

Get the point? In that first dream, Nebuchadnezzar had been given the opportunity to know and place his faith in the One, True and Living God; but, he was so interested in the interpreter that he missed the interpretation!

Are we any different? We are so caught up in our expectations, demands, and preconceived ideas that we often miss the message when God speaks. We attend Sunday morning services with such a desire to “have it our way” that we miss God’s revelation of His way. Yet, whenever God speaks, He holds us accountable. Meeting with Him is serious business! Nebuchadnezzar missed his day of opportunity, and he ended up paying the price.

God is speaking. Are we listening? If not, what is blocking the reception?