I memorized the opening of the Declaration of Independence in grade school. I would wager  that most kids these days don’t know what it really means. As we celebrate  the July 4th holiday, please be encouraged to share your favorite parts of the Declaration with your family and friends:

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve  the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

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. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the   right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their Safety and Happiness.

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.

The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

Some of the 27 grievances listed included:  A refusal to assent to laws—“the most wholesome and necessary for the public good;” obstructed administration of justice; made judges dependent on his will alone; made a multitude of new offices which harass the people…

Sound familiar?

Galatians 5:1 says, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

Let us remember the blessings of our nation and the price of liberty.

Have a blessed and powerful day!

Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com

Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump met with leaders of the Christian community  to discuss politics. From reports circulating by those in attendance, Trump did a pretty good job convincing a wide cross-section of Christian leaders that he will, in fact, stand up for Christian values if he is elected president.

In general, he is reported to have committed to choosing pro-life, conservative values driven Supreme Court justices, and working to allow Christians with government-approved 501C3s to speak openly about politics. Some came away convinced that Trump was the right presidential candidate in comparison with the presumed Democratic Party nominee, Hillary Clinton.

With the aging Supreme Court, there is a possibility that the next president could actually select up to five justices, which could establish the court’s political direction for the next 30 years. Imagine how the continuation of leftist, godless, Communist-oriented court decisions would impact our nation’s future if Hillary Clinton were able to make those selections.

I have heard many Christians criticize Trump, and many do it by just making general statements without any documentation to back them up. Trump, however, has made a commitment to appoint justices that are pro-life and values oriented. That is a differentiator that Clinton will never be able to make. For this reason alone, Trump should be seriously considered.

Trump announced a new advisory board of evangelicals. The list is an eclectic mix of people. There are those who support Israel, those who are politically active for conservative social values, those who are controversial, those who are well respected, those who are genuine nut cases, and those who are keepers of the Word of God.

This is not necessarily a group of people who will be able to turn the country around, but a    group of people who are representative of the Christian community. It is a smart move by Trump, but only a handful are part of the solution; meaning the rest have been part of  the problem (promoters of emotional, extra-biblical, self-indulgent doctrines).

Trump, unlike his Communist opponent has made some pretty straight-forward declarations. He says he is for Israel and will reverse the anti-Israel, pro-Islamic policies of the past eight years. He said he would fight to allow pastors with 501C3s to speak freely about politics.

He said he would appoint pro-life judges. He said he would stand firm on not allowing threats into our nation through open immigration. This is a good start. We know that Hillary Clinton will do none of these things.

Let us be reminded of Exodus 18:21 in choosing “able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness.” There are only two legitimate choices with a chance to sit in the White House. The choice is not perfect. Choose wisely. No vote at all will be a  vote for Hillary.

Have a blessed and powerful day!

Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com