“With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” (Isaiah 26:9)

The United States of America has just faced a grueling presidential election. A lot was riding on the outcome and many Christians were in earnest prayer seeking God’s guidance. I was one of those people and I hope you were too. For the last eight years, the president of this nation has waged a war against God and the values that Christians hold dear, such as the sanctity of life and the God ordained one man/one woman marriage.

Our Constitution has been shredded as liberal judges stepped outside of their Constitutional bounds in order to impose their own perverted ideas on morality. Most Americans have never read the Constitution so there was little outrage. On Tuesday, November 8, 2016, Americans voted against the destruction of America when Hillary Clinton was defeated in her bid for the White House.

Christians prayed and God has given us another chance to be a nation that blesses God. Is Donald Trump the perfect man for the job? Well, he’s against everything that Obama and Hillary stand for, and that’s a very good thing. Is he a perfect person? Of course he isn’t. He’s human with failures like everyone. Mr. Trump claims to have accepted Christ as his Savior, and that’s a blessing for him and for this nation.

One of the most moving pictures I saw just prior to the election was Mr. Trump surrounded by people laying hands on him and praying. That’s a good beginning, and as we move forward into his presidency, it will become clear if his conversion was real. God knows for sure.

With the election over, it’s time for America to heal. The wounds that Obama inflicted upon America almost caused the death of this great nation, but God has given us another chance to be a nation that rejects satanic ways and honors God Almighty.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance.” (Psalm 33:12)

Christians make up a large portion of the population of America. By accepting Christ as Savior we have become sons of God and we belong to Him. While we live on this side of heaven we need to do all that’s within our power to ensure that this nation doesn’t fail God. It’s important that Christians in every nation live their faith so that God is honored. Americans have much to thank our Lord for, including our freedom of religion. That’s a protection in our Constitution.

The past eight years have seen that freedom trampled upon as sin has been glorified and God has been openly mocked. Christians have been criminalized because we believe God’s Word, recognize sin, and don’t want anyone to spend eternity in the lake of fire. Over the last eight years we have seen our rights being diminished and the blessings that come from being a nation that honors God have been weakened.

Satan is behind those who mock God and weak-minded puppets were easily led down the path of destruction. It took the fear of Hillary Clinton being elected president to bring Christians to their knees in prayer for God to change the course of this nation. God answered our prayer and now it’s time to heal. That will happen if Christians continue in prayer. We also need to examine our own lives and live to please God.

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” (Proverbs 29:2)

The last eight years under Obama have been cause to mourn. Will Donald Trump be a righteous leader? Time will tell, but he needs our continual prayer. The disturbing thing is the reaction some Americans have to Mr. Trump’s election. Over the last few days since the election I’ve read many articles and watched many videos about the election results hoping to find people rejoicing.

People have reacted in astonishing ways. One college professor told his students that they didn’t have to take their exams if they were too upset by the election results; there have been riots, and newscasters (who are supposed to report the news) are openly shocked that Hillary lost. The comments below most articles are also astonishing. The language is vulgar and the messages are filled with anger and hatred.

Surprisingly, these comments are written by men and women who claim to be conservatives, and some even claim to be Christians. It’s shameful, and surely the result of the satanic leadership that has influenced America. One of the most insulting things Hillary Clinton said during her campaign was to call those who supported Mr. Trump “deplorables,” but that’s exactly how many people are acting. That has to stop.

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ” Philippians 1:27a.

Brothers and sisters, let’s be leaders in healing this nation. Stop the name calling and stop the vicious hatred. These actions don’t reflect the gospel of Christ. Remove vulgar words from your lips, and speak in Christian love. Let’s get busy living godly lives that show Christian values to the dark and evil world around us.

It’s time that Christians begin to walk in fellowship with God. There has been a decline of godly values in America, and even Christians have sided with Satan rather than opposing the wickedness in our government.

“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Psalm 9:17.

The leadership of a nation reflects the attitude of the people, especially in a nation wherein the people elect the leaders. Will Mr. Trump show leadership based upon Christian values that America needs? He is certainly surrounding himself with respected Christian people, such as Dr. Ben Carson. That shows wisdom and a desire to do right before God. Mr. Trump will certainly make mistakes, and the satanically inspired press will be sure to point out every error.

What Mr. Trump needs now is our prayers. We prayed and God answered by coming against Hillary Clinton. Now Christians need to turn from our own wickedness and begin fresh in our walk with God.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

God promised this to Israel, but the challenge was to those who are His people and called by His name. I’m a Christian and I take His name seriously. Do you?

Sin in our lives hampers our fellowship with God and we all need to turn from any wickedness that we embrace. Brothers and sisters, seek the Lord daily and turn away from whatever sin is controlling your life. We humbly prayed, or maybe we prayed in desperation, and God answered our prayers. Those prayers should not stop.

In the recent past, the current president embraced sin and even Christians began to accept the unacceptable. There was a remnant who stood opposed to the evil inundating our government and our nation. Hillary Clinton was defeated and the evil turned aside. The healing of our nation has begun, but we need to follow through on our part. Each of us can be a leader of righteousness in our own community if we live for Christ. Seek God’s face and live to honor Him.

The fight isn’t over. I am neither naïve enough to think that Mr. Trump is the answer to everything, nor blind enough to think that Hillary was. I’ve heard Hillary’s stance on abortion and her angry “What difference does it make” speech about Benghazi. I also heard Bill Clinton say that Hillary communes with Eleanor Roosevelt, and that’s—a satanic practice. Brothers and sisters, our fight is not against people but against the powers of darkness and this fight is ongoing.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

Satan is our enemy, not people. Many celebrities promised to leave this nation if Mr. Trump won. They are all going back on their word and will be doing their best to be Satan’s voice in America. Stop buying their music, stop watching their movies, stop watching their satanic rituals during half-time at the Super Bowl. These people need our prayers, not our animosity, but we need to stop supporting them. Put on the spiritual weapons needed to fight this spiritual battle.

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13)

Fight like a Christian…with prayer and love, but do not compromise. We can’t expect God to heal this nation if Christians don’t repent and truly seek God’s face. Don’t join in the anger that is being flung about by those who supported Hillary. Show Christ’s love wherever possible.

“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:18.

Keep Jesus first in your life and let those who are rioting and spewing hatred see Christ living in you. Maybe your example will bring them to repentance, but you need to be separate from the sin around you.

Heavenly Father, heal this nation.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

Every word of Scripture is important. It’s a treasure of God’s truth and evidence of His love. It teaches us His ways and gives us the guidance we need to live our lives to please Him. Each of the 66 books are individual, but interwoven with each other to reveal full truth. The truth found within its pages must be sought after like a valuable treasure.

“For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” (Isaiah 28:10)

For instance, you won’t find a chapter that defines the Trinity, but you will find that Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

That rules out the big bang nonsense and evolution, and deeper study reveals that ‘elohiym is          the Hebrew word translated “God.” This word is plural and Hebrew plurals always mean at least three parts. This points to the Trinity. Going on we see that the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters, then God spoke and creation began. Jumping forward into the New Testament, John explains who spoke.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1. From there John explains that the Word was in the beginning and all things were made by Him. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…” (John 1:14a)

Just from a few verses found in Genesis and in the Gospel of John it’s easy to see that the Trinity is a fact and that Jesus is God. Further study reveals that all three Persons of the Trinity were present when Jesus was baptized. Studying line upon line and precept upon precept helps us to understand more and avoid false doctrine.

Most preachers today don’t teach the full counsel of God. Instead of teaching line upon line and precept upon precept, it’s more common to find that they pick a subject and scratch the surface. Because of that, important truths are missed. It’s easy to avoid talking about subjects such as sin and the congregation is left ignorant but happy in their lack of knowledge.

This lack of knowledge can lead to a person holding onto their sin, because they aren’t taught truth. For instance, the sin that caused God to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah was very grievous.

“And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.” (Genesis 18:20-21)

Homosexuality was the sin. In order to stop that abominable sin from spreading, those cities had to be destroyed. Is that just an Old Testament problem? No. Paul gets right to the point in his letter to the Romans. He says that because people know God but don’t glorify Him or thank Him, they became fools.

“For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their woman did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use  of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.” (Romans 1:26-2).

God hasn’t changed His mind about this grievous sin, but if the full counsel of God’s Word isn’t taught, this point is missed. When pastors compromise truth in order not to conflict with secular government and protect tax exempt status, only feel-good sermons are preached. God’s truth needs to be preached rather than government sin.

“Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” (Acts 20:26-28).

People make bad choices, but Paul knew that he had done all he could because he taught the full counsel of God. If a person chose to die in their sin Paul was without blame. Preachers today need to take heed.

You can’t walk close to Jesus unless you dig into all of His word, but many preachers refuse to teach from the Old Testament. These men deprive their congregation of understanding. The New Testament has its foundation in the Old Testament, and if you don’t study the Old you cannot fully understand the New.

Jesus answered and said unto them, ‘Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.’” (Matthew 22:29)

The Scriptures Jesus referred to are what we call the Old Testament. Why should we study Leviticus or any other Old Testament book? So that we can understand God’s expectations. God’s law teaches us to recognize sin and helps us to understand that we are sinners who cannot do anything to save ourselves. Scripture shows us that we need Jesus for salvation.

“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” (Galatians 3:24-25)

Jesus fulfilled the law, but didn’t abolish it. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, but the sin in our life needs to be recognized and turned away from. Unless you study all of Scripture you’ll continue in your sin. God’s grace should change your way of thinking and draw you into fellowship with Him.

Another subject that’s ignored when all of God’s Word isn’t taught is prophecy. The Old Testament is full of prophecy, and many have already been fulfilled. Their fulfillment confirms that God’s Word is true. Many were fulfilled by the birth, life, and death of Jesus. Isaiah foretells the virgin birth, Micah records that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, and Matthew and Luke give us details of His birth which fulfilled prophecy.

Zechariah prophesied that Jesus would ride into Jerusalem, Daniel gives the calculations to determine the exact day that would happen, and Matthew records the fulfillment. If the Old Testament isn’t studied we miss the importance of events recorded in the New Testament. On  the day of His resurrection Jesus met with two of His followers who were walking to Emmaus. As they walked they discussed the crucifixion and the empty tomb. They were trying to put it all together and understand what had happened.

“And it came to pass, that while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.” (Luke 24:15)

They didn’t recognize Him, but continued to discuss all that had happened. Jesus listened, then explained it to them.

“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)

What an amazing talk that must have been! This is proof that we need to study the Old Testament in order to understand the New. The Old Testament foretold the coming Messiah and the New Testament confirms the fulfillment of prophecy.

After Jesus finished speaking with those two men, He broke bread with them. It was then that their eyes were opened and they recognized Him. Then, He vanished! They were amazed and hurried back to Jerusalem to tell the others what had happened. As they spoke, Jesus suddenly appeared in the midst of them. They were terrified! Jesus put them at ease and explained…

“And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.” (Luke 24:44-45)

I’s all there. Prophecy in the Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament. Jesus confirmed that we need to study God’s word line upon line and precept upon precept. Pray over your Bible study and the Holy Spirit will help you understand.

What about the times in which we live today? Scripture has a lot to say about these end times and what is soon to take place. Ezekiel, Psalms, Daniel, and more give prophecy regarding today. If you ignore the Old Testament you will miss the importance of events taking place in the Middle East and how close we are to the fulfillment of prophecy spoken through the prophets and by Jesus.

The Rapture will happen prior to Daniel’s 70th week, and if you study Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians you’ll understand this. The Old Testament gives examples of how God removes people who love Him prior to His judgment being poured out. Enoch and Lot are used as examples. We read in the Old Testament

“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” (Genesis 5:24)

This was prior to God’s judgment…Noah’s Flood. The writer of Hebrews tells us:

“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had his testimony, that he pleased God.” (Hebrews 11:5)

Lot’s story is also used to confirm that the Rapture will occur prior to God’s judgment. Lot lived in Sodom among those who committed the grievous sin, but Lot didn’t participate in that sin. Two angels were sent to destroy the cities but Lot had to be removed prior to the destruction.

“And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.” (Genesis 19:16)

Jesus lets us know just how significant this was.

“But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in that day when the Son of man is revealed.” (Luke 17:29-30)

Peter also wrote about this incident:

“And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; and delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds). (2  Peter 2:6-8)

Enoch and Lot both lived among people who committed sin against God, but neither of them participate in it. Nor should you. Christians will be removed prior to God’s judgment, so be sure that you won’t be left here to face God’s judgment as described in Daniel, Matthew, Revelation, and other places in God’s Word.

Don’t neglect any part of Scripture. Use it to witness to the lost and also for your own edification.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good  works.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

When Paul wrote these words the only Scripture was the Old Testament, which he used to reason with others about Jesus.

“And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures.” (Acts 17:2)

Philip also demonstrated the importance of knowing Scripture when he explained to the Ethiopian eunuch how a prophecy in Isaiah was fulfilled by Jesus.

“Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” Acts 8:35.

Apollos knew Scripture and used it to show Christ to the Jews.

“For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.” (Acts 18:28)

These men were regular people who knew the power of God and used Old Testament Scripture to explain Jesus to others. You can too.

[Jesus said,] “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39)

His words are as important to us today as they were so many years ago. Search all of Scripture and study line-upon-line and precept-upon-precept. Don’t neglect the full counsel of God.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham