Many people have told me that they have disconnected from the news because it is all so bad that they just cannot handle it. The loudest, most brash, biggest bullies, and filthiest name-callers all seem to rise to the top of the media coverage with their version of the latest issue. The next problem is bigger than the one before, and they seem to be building on one another far faster than we can mentally process them. There are those who predict the end of America. Others say judgment has come. Still others are oblivious to anything but their daily schedule. But they all feel the frustration. It is like a demonic spirit that has engulfed our nation and is strangling its good sense. In this time, remember who you are.

If you are a follower of Christ, the Messiah, then you know his promise. The entire Bible is given to us as the word of God, as is Jesus Christ. In Christ is our salvation, and in the Bible is instruction on how we are to work out our salvation here on earth.

Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, “And fear not them who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

The promise of eternal life, knowing the end game (so to speak) should give us all the confidence to speak boldly as we ought to speak and having done all, to stand.

Jesus said in Matthew 24:6 “…see that you are not troubled, for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.”

Isaiah 54:17 says, “No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, says the LORD.”

Likewise, Isaiah 33:14-16 says, “The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness has surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walks righteously, and speaks uprightly; he that despises the gain of oppressions, that keeps his hands from the holding of bribes, that stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, and shuts his eyes from seeing evil; He shall dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the fortresses of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.”

As the LORD says, your heritage–your prophetic place–is in his righteousness, and it is you who shall have a place of defense in the fortress of rocks, dwelling on high with bread and water.

Do not be overwhelmed by the things of this world. As Paul said in Romans 12:21, “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Let’s not sit around wringing our hands over the unrighteous, but rather seize our place in the righteousness of the LORD. You don’t have to be enslaved by oppression–it has no authority over you. So stand in that gap. Be that royal priesthood. Obey God rather than man, for the night is far spent and the day is at hand. Cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, and let your light so shine.

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Given the already nasty nature of the current political climate and the mind-boggling issues facing the United States, the outcome of the upcoming elections is going to have a pivotal impact on the future of our nation and our families. Unfortunately, there are few who will stand up for what is right; and when they do, the news media, the cancel culture, and the political opposition cry loud and hard. It is arguable that we have become a nation where morality, common sense, respect for others, and kindness have been replaced by moral relativism, political intolerance, and ideological bigotry. Given, however, the immense challenges we face as a people, many wonder if we can survive as a nation.

Christ said in Matthew 12:25, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.”

He later says in verse 39, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.”

Politicians are trying to consolidate their power by pitting class against class, black against white, liberal against conservative, have nots against haves, women against men, and children against parents. They are trying to divide rather than unite. If you do not understand, just look at the television ads for anything from politics to humanitarianism. Little is being said about how to unite together to fix problems. A lot of finger-pointing.

Many believe with good reason that this nation is on the verge of a civil war. Everybody has an opinion, but there are few solutions. Those who have an opinion are marginalized as hate-mongers or extremists or both. This kind of divisive rhetoric only further drives wedges into disagreement. But the problem is far deeper than the ranting of political opponents. Informed citizens should be able to discern between truth and lies. The real problem is what Christ said that “he that is not with me is against me.” The nation as a whole is not with Christ. So many memorialize sodomy, abortion, covetousness, idolatry, lies, and false teachings by “judging not lest we be judged.” Using the Bible to justify abomination.

We need to get back to finding what God wants for us. The first part of Jeremiah 6:16 says, “Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask about the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it, and you shall find rest for your souls…” This is good advice. If we as a people could find it in ourselves to find the good way on the ancient path, we would be on the way to healing ourselves, our families, our communities, and our nation. Unfortunately, like in Jeremiah’s time, our nation is so divided, the resolve of the people is as in the second part of Jeremiah 6:16, “But they said, We will not walk in it.”

The new normal is that America is divided and, in my opinion, it’s because she is separated from her true Savior, Christ.

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