Attention Parents and Students: Science Disproves Evolution

Public schools teach the theory of evolution as if it’s settled science.  But by definition, a theory is not settled science, it is an unproven idea.  So under the guise of settled science, evolutionary theory denies the existence of God and assumes that all life is the result of random events and chance.  Many Christian parents are concerned about the corrosive effect of evolutionary theory on the faith of their children.

The truth is, evolutionary theory is a form of religion because it requires faith to believe an unproven theory is true.  Because evolutionary theory is a faith based world view, and it’s promoted by public education, it equates to a State religion that violates the first amendment.  So evolutionary theory should only be taught in public schools within the context of world religions.

Fortunately, scientists like Douglas Ell are using science to disprove the theory of evolution.  Mr. Ell is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).  His undergraduate studies were in physics and mathematics, followed by graduate studies in theoretical mathematics.  As a child he believed in God, but as he progressed in his scientific studies, his belief in the Bible as the source of truth ceased.  But at age thirty his first child was born, and at the baptism, he noticed that Christians possessed a quality of life he lacked.

The Christian life sparked his curiosity but he could not believe in God unless his existence was supported by science.  So he embarked on a search for God that included molecular biology.  After reading how proteins combine with amino acids to produce cells, he did a quick calculation to determine the possibility that this could occur by chance.  He discovered that the chance creation of a cell was virtually impossible, and he could no longer doubt the existence of God.

As Mr. Ell continued his studies, he documented many recent scientific advances that demonstrate the existence of God and disprove evolution, i.e., the notion that life and matter have occurred by chance.  Check out this interview with Douglas Ell where he discusses his book “Counting To God”.  MIT invited him to speak about his book, and none of the attending scientists could dispute the science he used to prove that random events could not have produced life as we know it. 

Andrew Wommack runs a large Christian ministry based in Colorado. He did a series on creation vs. evolution which includes interviews with Dr. Carl Baugh and Dr. Grady McMurtry.  Both are former atheists who believed in evolution, but like Douglas Ell, they eventually realized that scientific evidence supports the existence of God and creation.

Dr. Baugh has doctorate degrees in education, theology and biblical archaeology.  Dr. McMurtry has a science degree from UC Berkeley and a doctorate in Divinity.  The following link has the first five shows from Andrew Wommack’s series “Observing All Things”.  The three shows dated July 16-18 have interviews with doctors Baugh and McMurtry, who present compelling scientific evidence supporting creation.  Dr. McMurtry’s website is Creation Worldview and Dr. Baugh’s is Creation Evidence.

As children, many people believed in God, but after entering the university system, belief in God seemed contrary to reason.  Those who doubt the Bible is true will find Jim Warner’s story particularly helpful.  Jim graduated from UCLA and became an LA detective specializing in cold case homicides.  As a staunch atheist hostile toward Christianity, he eventually had to admit he’d never taken an honest look at the evidence.

After applying the rules of evidence used to solve homicide cases, Warner came to believe the Bible was true and accepted Christ as his savior.  Now he pastors a church and gives interviews like this one on the Leon Fontaine Show.  During the show, Jim explains how rules of evidence used to build a legal case, can actually prove that the Bible, and New Testament in particular, are true.

Another good source for believers and skeptics alike is Ravi Zacharias.  He combines apologetics with evangelism in order to “make thinkers believe and make believers think”.  Mr. Zacharias is asked to speak at the world’s most prestigious universities where belief in Jesus Christ is ridiculed. So students often thank Ravi for bolstering their faith by helping them answer difficult questions.

You can find a number of Ravi’s videos at itbn, Trinity Broadcasting Network’s video on demand website.  As a young evangelist, Mr. Zacharias helped spark a Christian revival in Vietnam.  Many years later, while living in Toronto Canada, he received a call from the Vietnamese interpreter who traveled with him in Vietnam.  They hadn’t spoken to each other in seventeen years and he told Ravi the following story.

After the communist takeover, the interpreter was accused of being a spy and imprisoned.  The only books allowed were Marx and Engels and nothing written in English.  As time passed, he began to lose faith in Christ.  The day after he decided to give up prayer, he was ordered to clean out the latrines.  While removing a bucket of feces and paper, he saw English words on a piece of paper and put it in his pocket.  Back in his cell, he cleaned off the paper and it was a page from the Bible, specifically, chapter eight of the book of Romans.  He began thanking God for not letting him go a single day without prayer.  Hungry for more of God’s word, he volunteered to clean the latrines, and each day he found a few Bible pages the commanding officer had used for toilet paper.

Eventually he was released and decided to try escape the oppression in Vietnam.  One day, four communist soldiers confronted him and accused him of planning an escape.  He lied and they left.  Feeling guilty for lying, he prayed a pray he hoped would never be answered.  He said to God, if you want me to tell the truth, send the soldiers back and I will confess.  Well, the soldiers returned, roughed him up, and again accused him of trying to escape from Vietnam.  The interpreter confessed and to his surprise, the soldiers wanted to join him.  During the boat ride to freedom, a great storm arose, and if not for the expert seamanship of the soldiers, they all would have died.  When he called Ravi, he was in California planning to marry a beautiful Vietnamese girl.  God is good, all the time!

In the following verses, Paul says the eternal power of the invisible God has been revealed to all people through the creation made by God.  So those who deny God’s existence are without excuse, and having relied on the wisdom of man, they became as fools.  Romans 1:16-23 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

PRESIDENT OF CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY SUPPORTS CHINA’S TORTURE OF CHRISTIANS

Proverbs 6:16-19 lists seven things that God hates.  The seventh is “he that soweth discord among brethren”.  Most preachers don’t call attention to false teachers because Christ desired unity among his followers.  The apostle Paul also encouraged unity among Christians.  But both Christ and Paul called attention to those who attempted to deceive God’s people, and in some cases, they named names.  So we should not pursue unity if it means being silent while brethren are being deceived.

Many television preachers are teaching false doctrine for financial gain, and one pastor challenging false teachers is Leslie Hale.  Listen to his sermon titled “This is not the gospel, this is garbage”.

Don’t be fooled by pastor Hale’s humble appearance.  His knowledge of God’s Word is exceptional and God has used him to build a ministry worth more than 30 million dollars.

God said to Ezekiel, if the watchman fails to warn people of an approaching threat, the blood of the people will be on the watchman.  Ezekiel 33:2,6 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, If the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchmanbut the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.

The greatest threat to America and the church is not from without, it is from within.  This is evident when the President of a prominent Christian university supports China’s torture of Christians.

Nazi war criminals were executed for the crimes being committed by Chinese officials.  In 2012, a Congressional Commission exposed the Chinese government’s heinous crimes against women and children.  There aren’t enough wives for Chinese men because 100 million girls have been killed by sex selection and forced abortion policies.  Commission Chairman Frank Wolf said China has jailed many Catholic bishops and protestant pastors, and cited Chinese dissident Yu Jie who said “China is a greater threat than the Soviet Union ever was”.

Yu Jie had been tortured and said America needs a leader like Ronald Reagan who will stand up to the Communist dictators.  Congressman Smith said Americans need to become much more aware of the “systematic use of torture” in China, which is a “dictatorship” with “no due process of law”.   In the following interview, Reggie Littlejohn cites Chinese officials who “proudly say they’ve eliminated 400 million lives” via forced abortions. 

China’s Communist government recently said they’re changing the one-child policy to a two child policy.  So now they will start murdering children after parents have more than two children.  In spite of this continuation of a massive crime against humanity, many American leaders characterize the two child policy as a moral victory.  In the following interview, Reggie Littlejohn reveals the horrific truth about China’s new two child policy.

Unfortunately, many Christian leaders focus on Muslim persecution of Christians while ignoring communist China’s crimes against Christians, women and children.  This is strange because in the past sixty years, China’s communist regimes have imprisoned, tortured, and killed more Christians than all Muslim terrorists combined.

In 2012, Chinese Pastor Bob Fu testified before the Congressional Commission on human rights abuse in China.  He talked about the torture of Christian lawyer Gao Zhisheng.  Gao’s wife also testified and said Chinese authorities burned his eyes with cigarettes and put toothpicks in his testicles.

During the following interview, pastor Fu said Gao has been tortured so badly “he cannot speak one complete sentence”.  Christian media hype the horror of Islamic terrorists beheading Christians, but would you rather be beheaded or tortured until you are unable to speak one complete sentence?

Li Jing also testified before the Congressional Commission.  Her husband is a Christian professor serving a ten year prison sentence for promoting democratic reforms in China.  Click on the next link to hear Li Jing’s testimony and Rep. Smith responding by saying, China’s communist regime is holding “tens of thousands of political and religious prisoners”.  There is a shocking contrast between pastor Fu’s interview on WORLD OVER and Billy Wilson’s positive portrayal of China’s brutal regime.

Billy Wilson is President of Oral Roberts University (ORU) in Oklahoma.  Five days after pastor Fu’s interview, President Wilson hosted an ORU video about China and Chinese Christians.  His pro China commentary could have been a propaganda piece put out by China’s communist government.  Mr. Wilson’s politically correct white wash of China’s brutal abortion policies, and torture of Christians, was repulsive.  He never mentions forced abortion or torture but refers to it as “pressure” that’s good because it’s “purifying” the church.

What would President Wilson do if his wife and children were subject to forced abortions, imprisonment, and torture for their faith?  Would he say, “I love you and am praying for you, but I will not help you because torture is purifying your soul.”  This would be a cruel and sadistic response to a loved one in need, and yet, that’s President Wilson’s response to Chinese Christians enduring brutal persecution.

While in prison, the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy about Christians like Billy Wilson who abandon their persecuted brethren.  2 Timothy 4:16  At my first answer (legal defense) no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

Throughout the Bible, God used for good what others intended for evil.  Joseph’s brothers beat him, threw him in a pit, and sold him into slavery, but what they intended for evil, God used for good.  Joseph was speaking to his brothers in Genesis 50:20  But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.  Jesus described the persecution of believers as evil, but said God would bless those who suffered for their faith.  Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

So God works all things together for good to those who love him and are called according to His purpose.  But the Bible also warns against calling evil good.  Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  In President Wilson’s video, he clearly portrays China’s evil regime as doing good.

Billy Wilson’s report on China was in stark contrast to Pastor Fu’s, who fled persecution in China and now runs China Aid, an American foundation that helps Chinese dissidents.  Pastor Fu demonstrates the proper Christian response to China’s persecution of Christians.  He spent three years traveling the U.S. and Europe seeking support for the release of Gao Zhisheng.  Pastor Fu said 150,000 people of conscience signed a petition calling for Gao’s release and abolition of torture in China.  Fu cited Americans who died in the Civil War to free the slaves and said, “we must not forget the virtue of those who fought for freedom”.

In spite of China’s increased persecution, pastor Fu says the church is growing, but “America must support the persecuted, not the persecutors.”  Unfortunately, many Christian leaders seem to support the persecutors.  Their silence, if not support, has emboldened the communist dictators who mock Gao’s wife saying, “she can go to the White House everyday, so what, we can make Gao Zhisheng disappear.”

President Wilson repeatedly says “pressure” is purifying the Chinese church.  But he never mentions China’s torture or forced abortions, let alone opposition to them.  If he believes torture and forced abortion are justified because they purify the Chinese church, I shudder to think what he would support in America.

President Wilson’s video is approximately 28 minutes long.  A little after 11 minutes Mr. Wilson says China has been “overtaken by capitalism”.  This is a blatant lie as the communist government owns a controlling interest in most major industries. The following paragraph is an excerpt from a Financial Times article titled, “Hu rejects calls to reform state’s role”.

China’s President Hu Jintao rejected calls for change to the state’s dominant role in the world’s second-largest economy on Thursday in an address to past and present leaders of the Communist party.  With just one week to go before he steps down as the party’s general secretary, Mr Hu insisted China would “unswervingly” adhere to “the basic economic system in which public ownership is the mainstay and economic entities of diverse ownership develop together”.  In his speech to mark the opening of the Communist party’s 18th National Congress, he also said the party and government “should steadily enhance the vitality of the state-owned sector of the economy and its capacity to leverage and influence the economy”.

Christian media rightly describe Islamic terrorism as evil.  But few in Christian media describe the deeds of communist China’s regime as evil.  Why not?  Political correctness.  It’s not politically correct to call the actions of China’s regime evil because partnering with them generates huge profits for US companies.  While Muslim persecution of Christians is condemned, the US rewards China with “free” trade deals that funnel Trillions of dollars to communist dictators.  And because of large trade deficits with China, domestic U.S. industries are sold to the government of China.

If US leaders sold large chunks of the U.S. to Iran’s Islamic government, it would be considered treason.  So why isn’t selling U.S. industries to a communist government considered treason?  Republicans oppose U.S. government ownership of domestic industries, but they support foreign government ownership.  Hmmm?  And China’s government continues to make large acquisitions of hard assets in America.  Because of a Supreme Court decision regarding campaign finance (Citizens United), China’s Communist Party can influence U.S. elections and legislation

Raymond Arroyo is the EWTN host that interviewed pastor Bob Fu.  Raymond said we hear a lot about Muslim persecution of Christians, but little about the “savage” persecution of Christians in China.  This media bias seems intentional because in the past 60 years, China’s government has imprisoned, tortured and killed more Christians than all Muslim countries combined.  Even though Chinese dissident Yu Jie said “China is a greater threat than the Soviet Union ever was”, Pat Robertson’s 700 Club continually reports Muslim brutality while ignoring China’s crimes.  

Billy Wilson and Pat Robertson are staunch supporters of Israel.  As such, they would denounce anyone saying terrorism directed at Israel is good because it’s purifying the Jews, so why the double standard when it comes to Chinese Christians?  The New Testament apostles said trials and tribulation refine our faith, but Wilson’s cover up the communist regime’s evil deeds demonstrates deceit and tacit support.   Mr. Wilson’s tacit support for China’s brutal policies should concern American Christians because he’s “educating” young people at ORU.

The governments of Iran and North Korea sponsor terrorism directed at America, and both are client states of China.  In fact, China is arming both countries with nuclear and chemical weapons.  Evidence of this came out in a Senate hearing to confirm the US ambassador to China.  You can find links to the Senate hearing in this post: US TRADE SUBSIDIZES CHINA’S FORCED ABORTIONS AND TORTURE OF CHRISTIANS.

Why are Christian media silent when communist China uses Iran and North Korea to threaten America?  Telling the truth would threaten “free” trade with China and the economic interests of companies like Apple.  Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, recently admitted he’s gay and said, “I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me”.  In today’s world, free markets and free trade mean a global economy free from God’s law.  The Bible says it best in 1 Timothy 6:10, the love of money is the root of all evil.

The love of money also affects Christian media analysis of the War on Terror.  They rightly criticize Obama for not linking Islam to terrorism, but never mention that Saudi Arabia, a US ally, is the primary sponsor of ISIS and al Qaeda.  Western governments (and Christian media) play down the connection between Saudi Arabia, its Wahhabist faith, and jihadism, whether of the variety espoused by Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda or by al-Baghdadi’s ISIS.  There is nothing conspiratorial or secret about these links, 15 of the 19 hijackers on 911 were Saudi and all were Wahhabis, as was Bin Laden and most of the donors who funded the operation.

The former head of British intelligence, Richard Dearlove, says Saudi Arabia is the primary source of funding for ISIS and al Qaeda.

Media misinformation is pervasive.  Most portray Iran as the primary sponsor of Islamic terrorism.  Iran does sponsor terrorism, but being Shiite, Iran is at war with Sunni jihadists.  And nearly all terrorism since 911 has been perpetrated by Sunni groups with close ties to Wahhabism, the Saudi government’s official sect.  Sunni terrorist groups include the Muslim Brotherhood, al Shabaab, Boko Haram, al Nusra, ISIS, al Qaeda, and the Taliban.

Iran allowed US planes in Iranian airspace during the invasion of Afghanistan because Iran opposes the Taliban.  And Iranian backed militias are fighting ISIS in Iraq.  Furthermore, Iran could not threaten the West without support from China, and communist China could not support Iran without Trillions of dollars of US investment capital.  What a tangled web they weave…  In his farewell speech, President Eisenhower warned Americans about the military industrial complex.

America has been fighting Saudi backed terrorists for more than ten years.  During that time, tens of thousands of Americans have been maimed and killed, and we’ve spent Trillions of dollars only to see Islamic terrorists grow in number and strength.  How is this possible?  The only rational conclusion is that perpetual war is the goal.  Why is perpetual war the objective?  During a state of war, tyrants can force citizens to give up liberty for security.

The War on Terror is a means to an end, i.e., global tyranny.  All around the world, terrorism is used as a pretext to continually erode individual liberties and consolidate power in despotic governments.

It’s not unusual for tyrants to play both sides of a war.  For example, Saudi Arabia is a US ally in the War on Terror, but Saudi Arabia funds ten thousand Islamic schools in Pakistan that produce graduates “perfectly prepared for a career in jihad”.  So America sends troops to fight terrorists produced by their Saudi ally.  Saudi and US leaders are playing both sides of the War on Terror.

Their motive is simple, acquire power and wealth to advance globalization, a.k.a., GLOBAL COMMUNISM.  The spoils of war used to go to the victors, not so in the War on Terror.  CNBC reported that STATE OWNED companies from China and India are mining a Trillion dollars of minerals in Afghanistan, and much of Iraq’s oil is going to communist China.

The War on Terror is best described by Proverbs 1:10-19 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. 11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: 12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: 13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: 14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:

15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: 16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. 17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. 18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. 19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

Like legalized abortion, the purpose of the War on Terror is to destroy our nation’s soul, and destroy the souls of those who falsely believe they’re fighting to protect America.  Most Bible believing Christians openly oppose abortion based on their belief in the sanctity of life.  But the same Christians blindly support every US war.  This blind support for war is an example of political correctness silencing Bible believing churches and causing them to call evil good.

The Bible clearly supports the right of self defense for individuals and nations, but murder is sin.  Fighting terrorism begins with holding US leaders accountable for aiding the Wahhabist enemy.

The religious aspect of terrorism will be used to restrict the preaching and teaching of Christianity.  Why?  True Christians believe Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, and this is characterized as intolerant and therefore responsible for fomenting conflict.  So if religion leads to World War III, in the interest of “peace”, Christianity as defined by the Bible will be illegal.

But the greatest threat to America and Christians is not Islamic terrorism or communist China.  An even greater threat is bipartisan leaders who hide their antichrist agenda behind a Christian facade.  And the greatest threat to America is a church that’s deceived and silent while America is destroyed by evil masquerading as national security, free trade, and social justice.

2 Thessalonians 2:8-14 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Is America Becoming a Police State?

The Posse Comitatus Act is the United States federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1385, original at 20 Stat. 152) that was passed on June 18, 1878, after the end of Reconstruction and was updated in 1981. Its intent (in concert with the Insurrection Act of 1807) was to limit the powers of Federal government in using federal military personnel to enforce the state laws.  In order to circumvent the Posse Comitatus Act, under the guise of improving security, the Federal government has passed legislation giving it ever more control over local and state police.

The vast majority of police officers are honest, hard working individuals who put their life on the line while protecting and serving the people.  However, at the highest levels of Federal, State, and local government, there’s an organized attempt to militarize the police and consolidate power in the hands of a few.

So it’s imperative that citizens support law enforcement officers who are taking a stand for the Constitution.  The Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA) is an organization that’s informing the public and standing up for our rights.  Please check out CSPOA to inform yourself and support their work.

President Obama’s Fast and Furious program put 2500 firearms in the hands of known criminals.  This included AK 47s and 50 caliber sniper rifles.  I’m raising this issue to shine light on some of the heroes working in U.S. law enforcement.  Three brave Alcohol Tobacco and Firearm (ATF) agents blew the whistle on Fast and Furious when one of the illegally trafficked guns was used to murder U.S. Border agent Brian Terry.  Listen to the ATF agents opening statements during a Congressional investigation into Fast and Furious.      

After the 911 attack, the Patriot Act and Homeland Security gave the Federal government broad powers over State and local police forces.  Ben Franklin said, People willing to trade liberty for safety deserve neither.  If you believe the government narrative justifying the exchange of freedom for security, check out the post on Saudi financing of terrorism.  The consolidation of power in the Federal government, especially the executive branch, is a trend that will result in a dictatorial police state.

The leadership of both political parties support the concept of a unitary executive, which is the ideological basis for the trend toward an imperial presidency.  In order to move their dictatorial agenda forward, they must divide the public and promote violence as a pretext to restrict individual liberties.  The New American recently reported that Justice Department grants are linked to a rap video glorifying the murder of police.

Judge Andrew Napolitano had a popular show on Fox News, until he started getting too close to the truth, i.e., both political parties are sabotaging the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.  Judge Napolitano recently appeared on The World Over, a television show that airs on the Catholic network EWTN.  During the interview, he talked about his new book titled Suicide Pact, which documents the radical expansion of presidential power in America.

The first half of Suicide Pact covers presidential abuse of power from George Washington to Bill Clinton, and the last half of the book covers the rapid move toward an imperial presidency under George W. Bush and Barak Obama.  Judge Napolitano’s interview is a must see for those concerned about unchecked violations of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.  For more info check out the Judge’s website at judgenap.com.

Business Insider reported on a “black site” in Chicago where citizens are detained and treated like terrorists.  The following paragraph is an excerpt from the article:

Chicago’s police department is detaining US citizens for days on end in a secret compound where suspects have no contact with the outside world, the Guardian reports today.  Lawyers compare the off-the-books interrogation warehouse in Chicago’s Homan Square neighborhood to the CIA’s so-called black sites offshore that are used to interrogate terrorists.  Police at the site in Chicago reportedly carry heavy military gear, and huge armored tanks are parked outside.

Check out this article from the legal journal of the American Bar Association (ABA).  It raises some important points about the militarization of America’s police force.  I don’t agree with everything it says, but truth is not exclusive to the left or the right, it’s usually found somewhere in the middle.  The following are the first three paragraphs of the article.

Are cops constitutional?  In a 2001 article for the Seton Hall Constitutional Law Journal, the legal scholar and civil liberties activist Roger Roots posed just that question. Roots, a fairly radical libertarian, believes that the U.S. Constitution doesn’t allow for police as they exist today. At the very least, he argues, police departments, powers and practices today violate the document’s spirit and intent.  [Roots writes], “Under the criminal justice model known to the framers, professional police officers were unknown,”

The founders and their contemporaries would probably have seen even the early-19th-century police forces as a standing army, and a particularly odious one at that. Just before the American Revolution, it wasn’t the stationing of British troops in the colonies that irked patriots in Boston and Virginia; it was England’s decision to use the troops for everyday law enforcement. This wariness of standing armies was born of experience and a study of history—early American statesmen like Madison, Washington and Adams were well-versed in the history of such armies in Europe, especially in ancient Rome.

If even the earliest attempts at centralized police forces would have alarmed the founders, today’s policing would have terrified them. Today in America SWAT teams violently smash into private homes more than 100 times per day. The vast majority of these raids are to enforce laws against consensual crimes. In many cities, police departments have given up the traditional blue uniforms for “battle dress uniforms” modeled after soldier attire.

BIBLE VERSES TO REMEMBER

For a translation other than the King James, click on an individual verse.

Psalm 19:1-11 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Proverbs 3:5-8  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Psalms 103:1-5  Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Christian mission is twofold: 1) surrender our life to Christ who then lives in us and through us. 2) Share the gospel with others and teach them what it means to make Christ the Lord of our life, i.e., bring our thoughts, words and deeds into obedience to Christ who leads us via the Holy Spirit.  This is only possible if we seek God with all our heart, pray, and study of God’s word.  Then by God’s grace, Holy Spirit leads us and empowers us to become followers of Jesus Christ.  The following You Tube video is the first of three where Ken E. Hagin teaches us how to be led by the Holy Spirit.

 After hearing of the Colossian’s faith in Jesus Christ, the apostle Paul wrote the following to the new believers.  Colossians 1:9-22 For this cause we also, since the day we heard [of your faith], do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son (Jesus Christ) 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him (Jesus Christ) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, to reconcile all things unto himself; whether things in earth or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled  22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

                    INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL (GOOD NEWS)

Because Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, all of humanity has been born with a sinful nature.   Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one (Adam) judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one (Jesus Christ) the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

Sin, suffering and death came into the world because of Adam’s sin.  But God immediately made a promise to redeem humanity.  Genesis 3:15 (God was speaking to Satan) And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

God put enmity between the seed of Satan and the seed of the woman.  The seed of the woman is a reference to the genealogy of Jesus Christ.  But the world became so corrupt, it could have destroyed the genealogy that was to produce the Savior.  So God flooded the world to preserve Christ’s genealogy through Noah.  Then God called Abram (Abraham), who by faith produced a son (Isaac) whose descendants (Hebrews/Jews) God used to fulfill his promise of redemption. 

John alluded to the fulfillment of God’s promise in 1 John 3:8 …for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God (Jesus) was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.  The apostle Paul also referenced God’s promise of redemption in Romans 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

In the process of fulfilling His promise to Abraham, God gave the law to Moses as a holy standard meant to steward God’s people until the coming of Jesus Christ.  Most people know about the ten commandments (laws) given through Moses, but there are 613 laws.  And the law is not a smorgasbord from which God’s people can pick and choose.  If we break one law, we’ve broken them all.

Fortunately, Christ fulfilled the law and now we are commanded to love one another, including our enemies.  Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  The apostle Paul defines what it means to love our neighbor as ourself in 1 Corinthians 13.  The King James version of chapter 13 substitutes the word “charity” for love.

Even good people have sinned, so Christ lived a perfect life for us, died on the cross for our sins, was resurrected from the dead, and sits at the right hand of God where he intercedes on our behalf.  All we have to do is believe this good news and make Jesus Christ the Lord of our life.  Romans 5:19 For as by one man’s (Adam’s) disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one (Jesus Christ) shall many be made righteous.

God is love, but God also hates sin and there’s a penalty to pay because we all have sinned.  Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.  God cannot excuse sin because that would not be love or mercy.  That would be lawlessness, and as a result, evil would reign supreme in the world.  So love requires justice and God must judge sin.  However, God does not want to judge us, but he must judge sin in order to be just, holy, and loving.  1 John 4:10  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation (payment) for our sins.

So God’s son, Jesus Christ, came to earth as a man, was tempted like us, and kept all God’s laws perfectly.  This qualified Jesus to become a sacrifice for all the world’s sins, and on the cross, he took all our sins on himself.  As a result, all God’s righteous judgement fell on Jesus Christ, and all the demands of the law were fully met, fully paid by Christ on the cross.  Whoever believes Jesus Christ died for their sins and was resurrected from the dead, is in right standing with God.  Romans 10:9 if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

So now we can stand in God’s holy light with a clean conscience and an emancipated heart, knowing we stand righteous before infinite holiness because we are in Christ. Hebrews 4:14-16 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

During Christ’s ministry, no one worked harder to obey God’s law than the Pharisees, and yet, Jesus said their righteousness was not sufficient to get them into heaven because they rejected him. Romans 10:3-4 For they (Pharisees) being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes [in Christ].

In order to escape God’s judgement, one has to obey the law perfectly like Christ.  But the Pharisees refused to admit their failure to be perfect under the law, as a result, they refused to believe that Jesus came to free them from the curse of the law and give them a free gift of righteousness.

Only God’s grace, and faith in Christ and HIS righteousness, qualifies us for heaven.  2 Corinthians 5:21 For he (God) hath made him (Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (Christ).  Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Applied grace is believing in our heart that we have exchanged our sin for Christ’s righteousness, which frees us from the bondage of fear and condemnation.  Applying grace in our lives enables us to walk into a holy, sanctified life in Christ.  Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Regarding law and grace, the apostle Paul warns us about two pitfalls:

1) Falling back into legalism, i.e., believing obedience to the letter of the law is salvation.  Galatians 5:1,4-5 1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you who believe you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

2) Using the liberty of grace to justify the practice of sin. Romans 6:1-2&6 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [Christ], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Grace is not a license to sin, but living with one foot in the Old Testament covenant of law, keeps us in bondage to condemnation and death.

2 Corinthians 3:6-8,17 6 [God] hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter [of the law] killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7 If the ministration of death, written and engraved in stones was so glorious, that the children of Israel could not behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away with, 8 Shall not the ministration of the spirit be more glorious? 17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ

Matthew 5:17-20 Jesus said, 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Is Jesus saying lawbreakers will enter the kingdom of heaven?  All have broken the law, but those who receive the gift of righteousness by faith in Christ, will enter the kingdom of heaven.

John 6:28-29 28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. Acts 13:38-39 38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man (Jesus Christ) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39 And by him, all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

The law is holy and righteous, but it cannot bring salvation because only Christ was able to keep the law perfectly.  In the Old Testament, a system of sacrifice was set up to atone for sin and the sacrifices had to be performed regularly for atonement.  But Jesus Christ offered himself as the perfect sacrifice, which was payment in full for all past, present, and future sins of the world.  So everyone who believes in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior stands righteous before God and inherits the gift of eternal life in heaven.  This is the good news of the gospel.  Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

There is a difference between going to church on Sundays and having a saving faith in Jesus Christ.  Have you asked Jesus Christ to be your Savior and made him the Lord of your life?  Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Pastor Charles Stanley does a great job explaining the difference between a Sunday Christian and a true follower of Christ.  Whether you are a believer or not, please watch Pastor Stanley’s message on what it means to be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.  Then enjoy Ken Hagin’s uplifting teaching about fighting the good fight of faith.

                              THE GOSPEL, A.K.A. THE GOOD NEWS

In order to share the gospel effectively, we must understand it.  The gospel is summarized in the following paragraphs.  Luke 1:26-35 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 

30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.  Galatians 4:4-5 When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

John 1:19,25,26,29 19 And this is the record of John (the Baptist), when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? 25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? 26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; 29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Acts 10:43 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him (Jesus Christ) shall receive remission of sins.

Romans 3:19-28  Now we know that whatsoever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare at this time his (Christ’s) righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 

27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.  Romans 5:1-2  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Philippians 2:21  I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain  Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  Romans 5:8 God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Romans 10: 9-13  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Titus 3:5-7  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Ephesians 2:2-7,12-18 In time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

12 …ye [Gentiles] were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both [Jew and Gentile] one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, the law of commandments contained in ordinances; to make in himself of the two, one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Because God is in Christ, and Christ is in us, we are one with God. This is a key aspect of the gospel.  Read John chapter 17, much of the chapter is Jesus praying to the Father that we would be one with him. Colossians 2:9-10,13-14,16-17 9 For in him (Christ) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;  16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  Hebrews 4:14-16 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

1 John 1:9-10 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 2:1-2  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Ephesians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

1 John 4:16-17  And we have known [Christ] and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he (Christ) is, so are we in this world.

2 Corinthians 5:17-19,21  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them… 21 For he hath made him (Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1 Peter 2:24  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

2 Timothy 1:8-10  Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: (the apostle Paul was in prison) but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

John 1:1-4,9,14,17-18 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

John 6:35,38,40 35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.  John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  John 8:32,36 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.  Luke 4:18 [Jesus said] The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

Matthew 11:28-30 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

John 14:16-17,26-27 16 And [Jesus said], I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Acts 1:8-11 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me (Jesus) both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the [second] coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Revelation 19:6-9 6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb (Christ) is come, and his wife (the church) hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, these are the true sayings of God.

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Matthew 28:18-20 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

                                 A CHRISTIAN MISSION STATEMENT

Galatians 4:3-6  When we were children, we were in bondage under the elements of the world:  4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,  5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 Because ye are sons [and daughters], God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Galatians 5:22-25 …the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Romans 6:12-14  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Phillipians 3:13-14  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended [perfection]: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4:29-32 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 5:1-4, 15-20 1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Romans 12: 14-21 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Philippians 4:6-9,11-13  Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 9 Do those things which ye have learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me (Paul): and the God of peace shall be with you. 11for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Romans 8:35,37 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 1 John 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he (Christ) that is in you, than he that is in the world.  2 Timothy 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-24  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.  15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.  16 Rejoice evermore.  17 Pray without ceasing.  18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.  19 Quench not the Spirit.  20 Despise not prophesyings.  21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.  23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.  Philippians 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Titus 2: 11-15 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

1 Timothy 6:12,17-19 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

1 Timothy 2:1-6  I exhort therefore that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Colossians 3:1-4,9-10,14-16  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Ephesians 6:10-17 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 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.

13 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. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Jesus taught us to follow his example as a humble servant.  John 13:3-5, 12-15 3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.  John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

1 John 5:2-5,13-15,20 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 20 And we KNOW that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.  Matthew 10:7-8 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

                                             WALKING IN THE SPIRIT

Without the Holy Spirit living in us and leading us, accomplishing the mission set before us as Christians would be impossible.  Before Adam sinned, the Holy Spirit led him by spiritual revelation.  After sinning, Adam was separated from the Holy Spirit, so he was led by information that came to him through his five senses.  Jesus Christ came to redeem us and reclaim our bodies as temples for the Holy Spirit.  After the fall of Adam, Jesus was the first born man who was also the temple of God.  This was foreshadowed by Zechariah when he wrote about Zerubbabel rebuilding the temple, which represents the future Body of Christ, a.k.a. the church.

Zerubbabel faced great opposition, but an angel said he would overcome by the the spirit of the Lord.  Zechariah 4:6-10 6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. 7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. 8 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. 10 For who hath despised the day of small things?

The “day of small things” is a reference to the kingdom of God as preached by Jesus Christ.  Matthew 13:31-32 31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.  Jesus was that mustard seed, i.e., the first born of God’s kingdom and human temple for the Holy Spirit.  John 2:19-22 19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 21 But he spake of the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

Paul and others laid and built the foundation of the church upon Christ, the headstone, and first born seed of God’s kingdom.  1 Corinthians 3:6-17 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that plants any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that gives the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay or stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.  1 Corinthians 6:19-20  19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Because we are temples of God’s Holy Spirit, Paul tells us to be careful about our associations.  2 Corinthians 6:14, 16-18 14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.  Ephesians 2:19-22 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

After Adam sinned, blood sacrifices were the only way to restore fellowship with God.  And God’s spirit did not dwell in man, he dwelt in the ark of the covenant behind the veil in the holy of holies, which was in the wilderness tabernacle and later in the temple.  But after the perfect blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our bodies have become the temple of God and we have free access to the holy of holies. Hebrews 10:12-23 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified 15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for he had said before [in Jeremiah 31]16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)  2 Corinthians 3:18 …beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.

The intimacy we can experience with our heavenly Father, can only be fully realized when we understand what it means to have our conscience sprinkled with the blood of Christ.  Even though we still sin as Christians, we can stand boldly in the Father’s presence with a clean conscience.  This grace wherein we stand, also transforms our bodies into vessels of honor fit for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus emphasized the importance of receiving the Holy Spirit, which empowers us to be witnesses for Christ.  The disciples had walked with Jesus, been taught by him, had seen him perform miracles, and had spent time with him after his resurrection.  But in order to be effective witnesses, Jesus said they must receive the Holy Spirit because, (John 14:20) At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

Before ascending into heaven, Jesus told his disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them.  Luke 24:44-49 44 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. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.  Acts 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Before his death, Jesus explained the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.  John 14:11-20, 25-27 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  John 15:26-27 26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

John 16:7-15 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Paul explains the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Romans 8:1-2,4,10-11,14-17,28-32 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Paul said God, who sent his only Son to die for our sins, will freely give us all things.  Jesus made this same point in a parable about parents and their children.  Luke 11:10-13 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Without the Holy Spirit, we are just going through the motions of being a Christian.  With the Holy Spirit, we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us.  After Jewish leaders commanded the apostles to stop preaching in Christ’s name, they prayed for boldness.  Acts 4:29-31, 33 29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

God sent the Holy Spirit to live in us, through us, and do for us what we cannot do for ourselves, i.e., be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.  Romans 8:29  For whom he (God) did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Walking in the Spirit means living moment to moment in submission to our Lord Jesus Christ.  This requires a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit which enables us to be obedient to his initial promptings.  For example, when we’re tempted, the Holy Spirit will guide us into obedience.  All relationships require time and commitment to develop, so be patient and faithful while getting to know the Christ within you.   We wake up everyday with three enemies: 1) the antichrist world system  2) our carnal mind which is inclined to fulfill the desires of our flesh  3) Satan.  But with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us, we can live each day in victory.  1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

                              KNOW YOUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST

The apostle Paul puts great emphasis on teaching believers what it means to be “in Christ” because it is the key to living in victory.  We will live a defeated life if we think our works can make us righteous before God.  Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.  It’s important to note that Isaiah says our righteousness is as filthy rags, not our sins. So believe with all your heart, the Holy Spirit’s words spoken through the apostle Paul, and the knowledge of Christ living in you will produce a holy, sanctified life.

2 Corinthians 5:17, 21 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  21 For he (God) hath made him (Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.  Isaiah 61:3 …to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.  Psalms 112:6-8 6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. 7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. 8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid…

Paul emphasized knowing our identity in Christ because it’s the key to becoming a mature Christian, a vessel of honor fit for goods works in the kingdom of God.  Ephesians 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.  The first thing we must grasp is our standing before God, i.e., Christ’s death, resurrection, and indwelling Spirit, makes us righteous in God’s eyes, not our obedience.  Believing this gives us a clean conscience, without which, we live in a constant state of spiritual poverty.  This mindset makes us feel unworthy and greatly limits our ability to receive what God wants to freely give us.  1 Corinthians 2:12  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.  Romans 3:24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 

In Ephesians, Paul reveals the mystery of the church and Christ becoming one flesh, like a man and his wife.  Ephesians 5:22-32  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.  28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Ephesians 4:4-6, 14-16, 23-24 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, Christ 16 From whom the whole body fits together by that which every joint supplieth, and according to the effectual working of every part, increases the body by the edifying of itself in love. 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Ephesians 1: 17-23 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:  18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,  19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,  20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,  21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:  22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,  23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Ephesians 2:5-10 5 Even when we were dead in sins, God hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)  6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.  10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.  Philemon 1:6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3:14-21  For this cause I (Paul) bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,  15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,  16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;  17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,  18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;  19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.  20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,  21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

The apostle Peter exhorts (encourages) us to realize our full potential in Christ by seeking knowledge of Christ.  We gain knowledge of Christ by committing to daily study and meditation on God’s Word, prayer, and quiet time listening to the Holy Spirit.  2 Peter 1:2-8  2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.  We are partakers of God’s divine nature because Christ lives in us.  It is a gift from God received by faith.

                            PUT GOD’S WORD INTO PRACTICE

Taking time everyday to seek God seems impossible while trying to raise families and pursue careers.  But we should consider daily time spent with God as a tithe, for our lives have been purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ and we have no life outside of Christ.  If we acknowledge that we owe God some time each day, and take a leap of faith, the time we yield to God will bring more blessings than the perceived loss of time.  John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

God reminds the children of Israel, and us, that our lives are totally dependent on his Word.  Deuteronomy 8:2-3 2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.  3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

If the Israelites had trusted God, they would not have wandered forty years in the wilderness.  Likewise, if we commit time each day to seek God, and trust him to provide for us, we will avoid wilderness experiences.  Isaiah 55:6-13 6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and returns not thither, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

                                        LESSONS TO LIVE BY

Matthew 6:24-33 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought saying, what shall we eat, or what shall we drink? Or, with what shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Seek first the Savior, then comes salvation, seek first the Healer, then comes healing, seek first the One who can bless, then comes blessings, seek first the One who can make you prosper, then comes prosperity.  Genesis 15:1  After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

The apostle Paul warns us about the love of money.  1 Timothy 6:5-12, 17-19 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Proverbs 3:5-14 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. 9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. 11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. 13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding 14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

Jesus warned the church in Laodicea to repent because they put their trust in worldly riches.  Revelation 3:17-22 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Isaiah 40:28-31 28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.  Isaiah 64:4  For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.

Joshua 1:9  Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.  Romans 5:1-5 1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.  James 1:2-3 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into temptations3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

              TRUST IN GOD OUR FATHER DURING TIMES OF TROUBLE

From the time Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, there has been trouble and suffering in the world.  Isaiah 59:1-2 1 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God… God’s plan for us was to live a glorified sinless life without suffering or death, so after sin entered the world, God put a plan in motion to redeem the world.  God chose to make a covenant with Abraham, which promised that his descendants would eventually produce the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

After Christ ascended into heaven, Peter explained to unbelieving Jews that Jesus fulfilled God’s promise to Abraham.  Acts 3:25-26 25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. 26 Unto you first, God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.   Acts 3:19-21 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.  The “times of restitution” refers to the second coming of Christ when there will be a new heaven and new earth.

Followers of Christ have been forgiven of all their sins, past, present, and future.  And God has promised us an eternal life free from all pain and suffering, so be patient and trust God because all the troubles of this present world are temporary.  When Jesus comes again, the struggle between good and evil will be ended, and all the struggles of the past will be forgotten.  Revelation 21:4-5 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

The following verses are a conversation between the pagan king Balak and Balaam the sorcerer.  They demonstrate the trustworthiness of God’s promises. Balak wanted Balaam to put a curse on the Israelites, but God put a blessing in Balaam’s mouth instead. Numbers 23:18-21 And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor 19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? 20 Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it. 21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.

God did not see iniquity in the nation of Israel, which was not without sin, but because of his promise to Abraham, God counted their faithfulness as righteousness.  Likewise, Christians are righteous in God’s sight because Jesus fulfilled the promise God made to Abraham in Genesis 12:2-3 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.  The fulfillment of Abraham’s blessing was also foreshadowed in Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.  Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 2 Corinthians 1:20  For all the promises of God in him (Christ) are yes, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Abraham waited twenty four years, and was nearly one hundred years old when God blessed him with a son whose descendants produced the Messiah, Jesus Christ.  Regarding promises, God is never early or late, he’s always right on time.  It’s up to us to have faith and patiently wait on God.  In Romans, the apostle Paul explains that Abraham received God’s promise based on faith, not because he kept the law.  Abraham lived before God gave Moses and Israel the law, so for all nations to be blessed through God’s promise to Abraham, we too receive redemption through Christ Jesus by faith alone.  Acts 13:39  And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Romans 4:13-25 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,)…Abraham believed God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

1 Peter 1:3-7 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

In the following verses, Paul is writing to the congregation in Corinth about Christian persecution, which is a “light affliction” compared to our eternal rewards.  2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 16-18 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.  Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Hebrews 11:1-3, 24-27 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ as greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him (God) who is invisible.

Romans 8:22-25 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Philippians 2:5-9 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being fashioned as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:  Jesus said this to his disciples shortly before he was crucified: John 16:32-33 32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Revelation 21:1-4 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

FRAMING THE FINANCIAL CRISIS

During the 1980’s and 90’s, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund made loans contingent upon a nation’s ability to uphold the rule of law.  These financial institutions defined lawless nations as those where financial elites had achieved exemption from the rule of law and created a culture of corruption.

This post contains evidence that US financial elites and their bipartisan cronies have achieved exemption the rule of law.  The resulting culture of corruption is evident to all who’ve been paying attention.  For example, Congress voted to exempt themselves from insider trading laws.

For those who think this post is a leftist attack on Wall Street bankers, you should know that the CEO’s of JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs are registered Democrats.  And based on the information in this post, they’re hardcore socialists.  In fact, insiders have given Goldman Sachs the name “Government Sachs”.

The Congressional Budget Office says it will cost taxpayers 8.6 Trillion to prop up banks after the 2008 financial crisis.  Some politicians say the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) caused the crisis because it forced banks to make home loans to poor people.  But most of the subprime loans were originated by lenders exempt from the CRA.

It’s important to remember that many Wall Street banks were buying subprime mortgages on the secondary market, not lending to homeowners who could not repay their loans.  No government agency forced Wall Street banks to buy worthless loans, securitize them, leverage them 50 to 1, and sell them around the world with fraudulent Triple A ratings.

Simon Johnson is a former chief economist for the International Monetary Fund and a current member of the CBO council of advisers.  He wrote a book titled “13 Bankers: The Wall Street Takeover and the Next Financial Meltdown”.  During a presentation on CSPAN, Mr. Johnson said the six largest banks have “captured the State” and have power to “extort” money from government.

President of the Kansas City Federal Reserve, Thomas Hoenig, gave a speech on Obama’s finance reform (Dodd-Frank).  He said it didn’t eliminate the threat of future Wall Street bailouts, and Too Big To Fail banks are “inconsistent with the concept of capitalism.”  Mr. Hoenig is calling for the reinstatement of Glass Steagall as a means to break up big banks and reduce the threat of future bailouts.

In 1933, Glass Steagall was enacted to curb bank speculation that caused the 1929 market crash and Great Depression.  However, President Clinton repealed Glass Steagall in 1999.  It only took nine years to repeat the crash of 1929 and Great Recession.

During a Congressional hearing,  Rep. Brad Sherman said Dodd-Frank’s Resolution Authority gives the Executive Branch (Obama) authority to spend Trillions on future Wall Street bailouts, without a Congressional vote.  This eliminates one of our core Constitutional rights, i.e., no taxation without representation.

Presidents Bush and Obama said the 2008 financial crisis was unforseen and could not have been prevented.  They lied.  Phil Angelides was Chairman of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, which concluded the crisis was preventable.  Listen to 7 minutes of Chairman Angelides speech starting at 7min/55sec.  The left blames George Bush for the financial crisis, but the PBS documentary The Warning puts most of the blame on President Bill Clinton.

The Warning  demonstrates that the policies of Clinton and Greenspan laid the foundation for the financial crisis.  And President Bush went along with Greenspan’s elimination of underwriting standards, which created Trillions of dollars of home mortgages, without proof of income, job, or assets.  Oops!  Greenspan admitted his flawed ideology contributed to the crisis, but now the Fed is praised for it’s QE to infinity, which is an ongoing Wall Street bailout.

Also watch CNBC’s House of Cards.  It demonstrates that ratings agencies used fraudulent computer models to give junk securities Triple A ratings.  The models were inherently fraudulent because they were based on the notion that house prices would increase 6% per year, forever.  Historically, this notion is false, so the fraud inherent in the models seems to be intentional. 

President Obama said Wall Street’s actions leading up to the financial crisis were “legal”.  He lied.  William Black was Deputy Director of the Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation during the 1980’s financial crisis.  He helped obtain a 1000 criminal convictions of “elite” bankers.  Mr. Black says public losses from the 2008 financial crisis are “70 times greater” than the Savings and Loan meltdown, but despite compelling evidence demonstrating Wall Street fraud, there have been few criminal prosecutions.

During this radio interview, Black said in 2004, the FBI testified before Congress about an epidemic of mortgage fraud and predicted it would cause a financial crisis.  In 2006, all major lenders were warned that “liars loans” had a 90% incidence of fraud.  But the mortgage industry increased subprime lending to the point that 1 in 3 loans were liars loans when the bubble burst in 2008.  Mr. Black said this constitutes one million cases of fraud per year by the industry.

The interview with Mr. Black includes securities law expert Lynn Stout, who disagreed with Black’s position on the prosecution of bankers.  She wrote an article explaining the role of derivatives in the financial crisis.  It’s fairly short, requires little knowledge of financial markets, and provides important information regarding the prevention of another derivatives related meltdown.

If you watch The Warning, listen to the interview with William Black, read Ms. Stout’s article, and watch this short clip on naked credit default swaps, you’ll have a solid understanding of the financial crisis.  The clip is Michael Greenberger, former director of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).  Greenberger and Stout explain how British common law successfully regulated derivatives for 200 years, and returning to the old regulations may prevent another crisis.

Neil Barofsky was Special Inspector General for TARP, the 700 billion dollar bailout program.  Regarding the nine largest banks, he said “it didn’t matter if they were cooking the books on their balance sheets, Treasury was giving them money anyway, in fact, if they had even larger holes on their balance sheets due to FRAUD, that would’ve been only more reason for Treasury to give them money.”

Mr. Barofsky had spent the prior eight years prosecuting bank fraud, and when he made the statement about Wall Street fraud, he did not qualify it by saying alleged fraud.  And yet, Obama’s Justice Department has not prosecuted a single executive of the nine largest banks.  During debate over TARP, Rep. Marcy Kaptur said “high financial crimes have been committed…these criminals have so much political power, they can shut down the normal legislative process of the highest law making body of this land.”

Rep. Brad Sherman led a bipartisan revolt against the TARP bailout bill because much of the money was going to foreign banks.  During an interview with Larry Kudlow on CNBC, he said “the bank of Shanghai can transfer all of its toxic assets to the Bank of Shanghai in Los Angeles, its subsidiary, which can sell them the next day to the Treasury”.  He continued saying “foreign markets are being told they are getting the money….assets now held in China and London can be sold to U.S. entities on Monday and sold to the Treasury on Tuesday”.

During debate in the House, Sherman said some members were told the U.S. would be placed under martial law if TARP was not passed.  Sounds like extortion to me.  Rep. Paul Ryan was also on Kudlow with Brad Sherman.  It’s interesting that Ryan, a Republican, was for the TARP bailout which allowed government to pick winners and losers rather than the market.  Oops!

The banks Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were allowed to fail.  They were holding 6.3 TRILLION of toxic assets and liabilities when they collapsed and were dumped on taxpayers in 2008.  The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission (FCIC) investigated the collapse of Fannie and Freddie.  Commissioner Byron Georgiou said both institutions were “cooking the books”, and lobbyists on both sides of the isle protected the banks while they engaged in illegal activities.

The FCIC concluded: 1) the financial crisis was preventable.  2) Regulators looked the other way rather than take action to prevent the crisis.  3) Big banks took irresponsible risks and taxpayers are stuck with bill.

In order to cover up the cost of toxic assets dumped on taxpayers and Trillions still held by banks, Congress pressured the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) to relax mark to market rules.  These rules were put in place after Enron’s collapse and require large companies to mark balance sheet assets to current market value.  But now, the relaxed rules allow gov’t and banks to falsify the value of toxic assets on their balance sheet.  Small business owners would be charged with fraud for engaging in similar accounting practices.

Desmond Lachman is a former Deputy Director of the International Monetary Fund.  He said, ”if the Federal Reserve balance sheet is marked to market, the Fed would have an enormous negative position”.  Systemic fraud is the new accounting standard for government and Wall Street.

Political leaders say cutting spending is a priority for restoring fiscal soundness.  But if my accountant is cooking the books and embezzling from my business, I can cut  spending to zero and still go bankrupt.  So the first priority is holding Wall Street and bipartisan criminals accountable, then cut spending. 

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) did a partial audit of the Federal Reserve’s response to the financial crisis.  It revealed that 16 TRILLION has been lent at near 0% interest, much of it to foreign banks, meanwhile, the U.S. economy is starved of capital and investment.  The link will get you to Table 8 on page 131 of the GAO report.

The Federal Reserve has a dual mandate: 1) Price stability  2) Full employment.  These mandates apply specifically to the domestic U.S. economy, not the global economy.  But as noted below, the Bank of International Settlements says US banks are one of the largest providers of credit to foreign markets like China.

Investors Business Daily ran an article saying “…despite the commitment of nearly 20 TRILLION in taxpayer funds to prevent another crisis, lending has stalled or shrunk”.  So while bailed out banks are starving the U.S. economy of capital, they’re lending to emerging markets.

The absolute numbers for big foreign banking systems’ exposure to China are as follows:

George Soros was on CNBC and cited data from the Bank of International Settlements (BIS), he said US and EU banks are the largest supplier of credit to emerging markets like China.  So bailed out banks are financing Communist China’s 8% GDP growth while U.S. growth is near zero and the real unemployment rate is 15.1%.

President Obama never mentions the 8.6 Trillion needed to prop up failing banks.  Why?  According to Open Secrets, Wall Street is one of his biggest campaign contributors.  And in return, Wall Street has never had it better, the stock market has nearly tripled in value while economic growth is stagnant.

The Fed’s money printing (QE) policies are driving up the stock market, but it also devalues the dollar so our dollars are worth less, which means we pay more for goods and services.  Economists define this inflation as a tax, so when the Fed purchases 40 Billion per month of toxic mortgage backed securities to prop up Wall Street banks, it’s really a tax.

President Obama and the Fed’s policies have dramatically increased income inequality in America, and the top 1% have never had it better.   So the Democrats alleged desire to reverse this trend demonstrates their grotesque hypocrisy.

President Obama and bipartisan leaders say economic policies are intended to grow the domestic economy.  But it’s not growing.  Is this just another oops moment?  The evidence indicates otherwise.  US policies are designed to subsidize the global economy, a.k.a., globalization.  Why?

Bipartisan and corporate leaders prefer China’s totalitarian model.  Evidence of this can be found in a Wall Street Journal article titled China’s Superior Economic Model.  The article is written by Andy Stern, former President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and the premise of the article was based on comments by Andy Grove, founder and Chairman of Intel.

When Brad Sherman was Chairman of the House Foreign Relations subcommittee on trade, he said US trade with China is “the most unbalanced trade relationship in the history of international trade”, and this “cancerous” trade relationship is driven by “enormous corporate power”.   Mr. Sherman forgot to mention union leaders like Andy Stern who also prefer China’s totalitarian economic model.  Under the guise of free trade, US leaders are transferring American capital, technology and jobs to communist China.

Rep. Sherman also talked about trade deficits resulting from trade with China, and the effect on the U.S. debt.  He said, “you have to have some really bad policies to take the most productive nation in the world with the best workforce, and I mean the United States, and turn it into the greatest debtor nation in history.  And by God, we’ve had bad trade policies that have achieved that objective.”

It’s worth noting that Rep. Sherman used the word “objective” when describing the catastrophic effects of free trade.  Even Warren Buffet said trade deficits are changing America from a shareholder economy to a sharecropper economy, where foreigners own us and we work for them.  Free trade and globalization are an attack on U.S. sovereignty and unalienable rights.  Contact your elected officials and tell them so.

Wall Street and their bipartisans cronies have structured the global economy (globalization) in a way that subsidizes China with U.S. capital and technology.  The decline in growth resulting from free trade and de-industrialization was masked by the subprime bubble.  Given a 2003 warning that Fannie and Freddie posed a systemic risk to financial markets, and the 2004 FBI warning that mortgage fraud would cause a financial crisis, it’s difficult to believe financial and political leaders did not foresee the crisis.

It’s possible the subprime bubble was intentionally created to cover up the economic contraction caused by free trade and outsourcing.  When the bubble burst, average citizens were blamed for living beyond their means, but the structural decline resulting from free trade and de-industrialization wasn’t mentioned.

Some say the electronic trinkets produced in China would be too expensive if manufactured in America.  But virtual slave labor has always existed in foreign countries, and before free trade, America’s economy thrived without exploiting cheap labor abroad.  Many leaders say government should be run more like a business.  Well, multinational corporations spend billions implementing policies that PROTECT their market share and global competitiveness.  They even engage in corporate espionage to gain competitive advantages that US leaders give away via free trade.

Businesses don’t engage in anything remotely resembling free trade.  Why?   Because providing the competition with capital and technology guarantees failure.   Doing so would cause shareholders to demand criminal prosecution of the Board of Directors and top officers, which is what should be done to politicians who have intentionally traded away America’s economic future.   Manufacturing is the engine of economic growth, so outsourcing manufacturing in exchange for cheap trinkets is like the Native Americans selling their sovereignty for beads and blankets.

American history teaches the concept of manifest destiny.  But how many fur traders, homesteaders and gold miners were thinking about manifest destiny when they moved West?   Few if any, they didn’t even know what the phrase meant.  Manifest destiny is the language of ruling class elites, i.e. merchant bankers and industrialists.  They moved common folk across the American West like pawns on a chess board.  Ruling class elites wanted conflict with the Indians so they could call in the cavalry and manifest their destiny.

The new frontiers for today’s ruling class are Communist China and emerging markets.  Free trade is preparing the way for the global cavalry and final phase of manifest destiny.  For all intents and purposes, US financial elites and industrialists have seceded from the Union.  They’ve allied themselves with China’s totalitarian regime and are engaged in economic terrorism against the United States.  Media and politicians support this treasonous alliance and they exploit class and race divisions as part of a divide and conquer agenda.  They want divided Americans to blame each other and fight over the economic crumbs left behind by free trade and the financial crisis.  We’re all Indians now.

During a hearing on Dodd-Frank’s Resolution Authority, Republican Don Manzullo said it’s a safety net for “you guys that screw up on Wall Street”.  Economist Jeffery Miron replied saying the Resolution Authority is a “blank check” for future bailouts, and it will  “institutionalize TARP” for bank holding companies.

Dodd-Frank gives the F.D.I.C. resolution authority.  The FDIC is under the jurisdiction of the executive branch so future bailouts can be made without Congressional approval.  The Constitution states that all spending bills must originate in the House of Representatives, the branch of government most accountable to the people.  So allowing the executive branch to spend Trillions without Congressional approval violates a core Constitutional principle, no taxation without representation.  

The 2014 budget is another example of taxation without representation because bipartisan members of Congress admitted they didn’t read the bill.  If they’re not reading spending bills, they cannot be representing the interests of their constituents, i.e., taxation without representation.  The following text and next paragraph are from an article in USA TODAY:  The nearly 1,600-page spending bill includes all 12 of the individual annual spending bills packaged into a $1.012 trillion “omnibus” spending bill.  The bill will have gone from unveiling to law in just six days, while the normal appropriations process is structured to take months and allow for more lawmaker input.

Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., holding up the thick bill on the House floor, criticized the House for voting on a bill “that nobody has read.”  McGovern cited a concern held by lawmakers in both parties that the details of the omnibus are likely to trickle out after the bill has become law.  ”I’m willing to bet in a week or so we’re going to read an article about something being in the bill that nobody knew about,”.  Jenny Beth Martin, co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots, characterized the bill as a “monstrosity.”  She said ”while Americans suffer the consequences of Obamacare, Congress is trying to rush through another massive bill before reading it,”

The key principle of our founding documents is equality before the law, which means no one is above the law.  But the U.S. is becoming a nation of women and men who can impose their tyrannical aspirations on sovereign citizens.  Criminal elites have created a legal double standard and placed themselves above the law.  This was the fundamental problem facing American colonists before the Revolution.

Thomas Jefferson addressed this problem in the Declaration of Independence, which was a criminal indictment of King George that provided a moral and legal basis for the Revolution.  The founders ended with these words: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor”.

America’s founders understood the price of freedom, and if we are going to preserve the rule of law they fought and died for, we must be willing to commit time and resources to restore the rule of law.  Business Insider reports that Congress has legalized the use of domestic propaganda, which was used to legitimize Germany’s Nazi regime.

This website provides evidence for a criminal indictment of US leaders, however, I’m not advocating for armed rebellion as a remedy.  The Constitution and Bill of Rights are still the law of the land, and the law is on the side of “We the People” who believe in unalienable individual rights.  We need to create a groundswell of support that will force our public prosecutors to take legal action against criminal elites.

Media and politicians cover up the effect of the financial crisis on the national debt.  Check out the post Fraud and the Federal Debt for evidence of the cover up.  Use the evidence compiled in the website, share it with your friends, business associates, local prosecutor, Sheriff, State Attorney General and U.S. Attorney.

Fast and Furious, Guns, and Safe Schools

Alcohol Tobacco and Firearm (ATF) agents testified before Congress about Obama’s Fast and Furious program.  They said 2500 firearms, including AK 47s and 50 caliber sniper rifles, were allowed to “walk” into the hands of known drug cartel members.  One of those weapons was used to murder U.S. Border Patrol agent Brian Terry.

The three ATF whistleblowers were all veteran law enforcement officers.  They said walking guns into the hands of known criminals was something they had never seen before, or after, Fast and Furious.  But has Obama or other gun control advocates expressed  concern about Fast and Furious?  Not that I’m aware of.  Given this blatant double standard, Obama appears to be using the children murdered at Sandy Hook for political gain.

The opening statements of ATF whistleblowers demonstrate Obama’s gross hypocrisy on the issue of gun control.  Agent Forcelli said the Department of Justice and Arizona’s US Attorney approved of Fast and Furious, and “we weren’t giving guns to people who were hunting bear, we were giving guns to people who were killing other humans”.

Contrary to the left’s portrayal of gun dealers, Agent Forcelli said they helped the ATF make a lot of cases, but dealers objected to Fast and Furious because it encouraged the sale of guns to criminals.  ATF agents made it clear that existing laws could have prevented all 2500 weapons from getting into the hands of criminals.  Concerned citizens should email this post to local attorneys, prosecutors, Sheriffs, State Attorneys General and U.S. Attorneys.

The Bismarck Tribune ran an AP article about Mexican citizens who’ve taken up arms to protect themselves against drug cartels.  They’ve done so because their government has been unable to protect them.  In spite of the Mexican government’s ban on citizen ownership of guns, the article said they have “hunting rifles, old pistols, and small bore shotguns”.

Guess what kinds of weapons the drug cartels have?  According the the Fast and Furious hearing, drug cartels have heavy caliber, fully automatic machine guns and sniper rifles.  Organized crime is a growth industry in America and all around the world, so why would U.S. citizens want to put themselves in the same position as these poor Mexican citizens?  

Free societies cannot exist without the right of self defense.  That’s why the States refused to ratify the Constitution without a Bill of Rights that included a second amendment, which established self defense, not hunting, as an unalienable right.  Self defense is the ability to defend oneself, family, and property, independent of government.  There have always been corrupt elites who want to enslave the people and it’s up to citizens to stand up for their rights.

America’s founders acknowledged the persistent threat of tyranny in the Declaration of Independence, which was a criminal indictment of King George III and his cronies.  They said when a government fails to secure the unalienable rights of its citizens “it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it and institute a new government”.  For those who support the second amendment, suicide rates, murder rates, school shootings, etc., are not legitimate reasons to infringe on our unalienable right to bear arms.  This  article demonstrates sound judgement of private citizens holding permits to conceal and carry hand guns.  It says only .0002266% of permit holders have been involved in crimes defined as “mass shootings”.

The education systems of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union produced great scientists and engineers, but there was no liberty for the individual.  Education can be used to promote tyranny or liberty, so societies based on democratic and republican principles should use schools to frame all knowledge in the context of our founding principles.  And the framers of the U.S. Constitution drew heavily on Judeo-Christian values when drafting America’s founding documents.

In William Federer’s book titled America’s God and Country, he documents references to God in the original charters of the colonies, State Constitutions, and other historical documents.  His work proves that Christian values were an integral part of American government, and they are the moral foundation making limited government possible.  We must restore the framers intent regarding the first amendment, i.e., freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.

Kelly Shackelford is president and CEO of First Liberty Institute, the largest legal firm in the nation dedicated exclusively to protecting religious freedom for all Americans.  But nearly all attacks on religious liberty are against Christians.

Dr. Charles Stanley had Kelly speak to his congregation.  He gave the people insight into his work by laying out the cases he took on over a two week period.  It was amazing, and Kelly received a standing ovation for his hopeful message.  You won’t find a more informative and encouraging presentation, please watch it.

The principles codified in the Constitution and Bill of Rights did not fall out of the sky in 1789. The framers of the Constitution were students of history.  They drew upon 2500 years of Western tradition beginning with ancient Greek democracy, the Roman Republic, the English Magna Carta, and Enlightenment.  Most had read books by Plutarch, Cicero, Montesquieu’s “Spirit of Laws”, John Locke’s “Second Treatise on Government”, and Adam Smith’s books “The Wealth of Nations” and “The Theory of Moral Sentiment”.

Legitimate representative government depends on the informed consent of the governed, so the Constitution and Bill of Rights should be taught K-12.  Schools should use interactive video games to teach children about the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the need to preserve second amendment rights as a bulwark against tyranny.

High school seniors should be able to write about, and articulate the ideas expressed in books written by Montesquieu, Locke and Adam Smith.  This would produce High School graduates prepared to utilize the public’s investment in higher education.  And high school graduates would be far more informed than most of the people currently holding political office.  If we had such a well informed citizenry, I don’t think we’d be experiencing the current problems with education and tyrannical government.

The video game and entertainment industries target children with products exhibiting the most irresponsible, immoral use of guns imaginable.  So in fifth and sixth grades, incorporate interactive gun safety training into video games as an antidote to the barrage of gratuitous media violence.  Interactive video games can simulate any situation and teach the proper response to home invasions and school shootings.  Do this in conjunction with martial arts training that teaches discipline and restraint with regard to the use of force.

In order to limit school massacres, have marksmenship training in high school and involve top student marksmen (seniors) in a conceal-carry gun program with teachers.  Students and teachers with conceal-carry permits should train with law enforcement and prepare a planned response to a school shooting.

Some say school sports build character and benefit society.  To some degree that’s true, but in spite the huge public investment is sports, our society continues to decay.  Money from traditional sports programs should be used to finance the aforementioned programs, including martial arts.  For those who think seniors are too young to be involved in a conceal-carry program, let’s remember that students could be in Afghanistan shortly after graduation. 

Implementing these educational programs would create a population trained in self defense and grounded in natural law and Constitutional rights.  They would also deter most individuals who might consider shooting children in schools.  It’s also preferable to the NRA proposal, i.e. police in every school, as this only leads us further down the road to a police state.

Bringing a child into this world is an inherently risky proposition, we need to accept this fact and teach our children to be self reliant.  That’s why Native Americans sent young boys, on their own, into the wilderness as a rite of passage to adulthood.

Framing education in the context of Constitutional principles will require taking control of local school boards, and that will require community organizing, which has been given a bad name by the left.  But the left’s commitment to community organizing is why they’ve been successful, so those who want a return to limited Constitutional government must do the same.

The founders ended the Declaration of Independence with these words: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor”.  They understood the price of freedom, and if we are going to preserve the Republic they fought and died for, we must commit time and resources to restoring limited Constitutional government. 

The term “assault weapon” is misleading because it simply refers to the cosmetic appearance of a weapon.  In other words, you can put the body of Corvette on a Prius, but it doesn’t change the performance of the vehicle.  The focus on assault weapons is a backdoor attempt to eventually ban all semi-automatic weapons.  Regarding high capacity clips, if a couple of armed individuals break into someone’s home, the homeowner will need a semi-automatic weapon and a very large clip to defend his/her family and property.

The Sandy Hook shooter stole weapons from his mother, so no amount of background checks would’ve saved the children he murdered.  And only 2% of people killed by guns are killed by “assault weapons”.  More people are killed by bats and clubs.  Obesity probably kills more people than guns, so should we ban the forks and spoons that deliver those evil food bullets to the body?  Unfortunately, gun control advocates don’t seem to care about facts or rational arguments.  Instead, they hide their tyrannical agenda behind safety issues, and “protecting the children”, while chipping away at individual liberties.

When President Obama accepted his Nobel Peace Prize, he said his first responsibility was to “protect the American people”.  President Bush used this same phrase to justify the Patriot Act, Homeland Security, and indefinite detention of U.S. citizens without due process.  And President Obama has doubled down on policies that eviscerate the Bill of Rights.  The oath of office says a President’s first responsibility is to uphold, protect, and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, not the American people.

The world was just as dangerous when our founders created this oath, so why didn’t they write an oath that focused on protecting the people instead of the Constitution?  It’s because the “protect the people” argument can be used to endlessly chip away at the Bill of Rights until we live in a virtual dictatorship.  And that’s exactly what despotic bipartisan leaders are doing, meanwhile, they’ve partnered with China’s communist regime and turn a blind eye to the global network of Islamic extremism funded by Saudi Arabia.

Democrats tend to use environmental, gun control, and healthcare issues to chip away at individual liberties.  Republicans use national security to advance tyrannical policies.  They’re like tag team wrestlers, so no matter which party is in power, they can always find an issue to justify their incremental march toward despotism.  That’s why K-12 Constitutional curriculum should emphasize the States refusal to ratify the Constitution without a Bill of Rights.

Specifically the tenth amendment which states: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”  For more possible solutions based of America’s founding principles, check out the post, The Boston Tea Party, It Wasn’t Just About Taxes.

Another interesting source is the book Godonomics, which illustrates the Biblical principles behind private property rights and market economies based on moral principles.

THERE IS HOPE FOR AMERICA: Share this with Christian friends and leaders

In the following short video, President Reagan encourages Americans with the following words:

“Let us begin an era of national renewal.  Let us renew our determination, our courage, and our strength, and let us renew our faith and our hope.  It is time to realize that we are too great a nation to limit ourselves to small dreams.  We will again be an exemplar of freedom, and a beacon of hope for those who do not have freedom.  We are a nation under God and I believe God intended us to be free.”

There is hope for America if we put first things first.  So if you’re not sure of your salvation, stop reading and listen to Dr. Charles Stanley explain what it means to be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.  Because as Christ said, we can do nothing without him.

John 15:5 I (Jesus) am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.  But once we abide in Christ, the Holy Spirit can work through us to produce good works.  Ephesians 2:10 For we are his (God’s) workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

When writing to Timothy, the apostle Paul said praying for those in authority should be a priority.  1Timothy 2:1-6  I exhort that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Isaiah said the government shall be on Christ’s shoulder.  Isaiah 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  The apostle Paul said the church is Christ’s body on earth, which means Christ’s shoulder is already on earth.

Colossians 1:18 And he (Christ) is the head of the body, the church…  Matthew 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  The Body of Christ is on earth, and Christ has all power in heaven and earth, so why don’t Bible believing Christians control America’s government?

Jesus Christ said his kingdom was not of this world, but Romans 13 says God has ordained the rulers of this world to be a force for good.  And God ordained America as a government of, by, and for the people, i.e., we the people are the rulers and we elect public servants to represent our interests.

As a Constitutional Republic, our government makes decisions based on the consent of U.S. citizens.  And because America is a nation ruled by the consent of the governed, it’s our God ordained duty NOT to consent when our government sanctions evil.  Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.  

Many Christian leaders say government is not the solution and changing peoples hearts with the Gospel will change America.  This is true, but if a neighbor is beating his wife and children, should we allow him to continue abusing his family because government (law enforcement) is not the solution?

In other words, if a neighbor’s wife comes to our door, battered by her husband, asking us to call the police, do we send her home to tell her husband about Jesus because government is not the solution?  The apostle Paul said we are created to do good works.  Working to uphold Godly standards in government could only be a good work.  James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Most of the sexual content and profanity on television today was illegal in the 1950’s.  Why was it illegal?  Because the filth on television today is a major cause of the corruption of our nation, especially children.  All things are possible with God, so I believe Christians can restore the moral standards of the past.  It’s about living up to the standards Jesus taught in the good Samaritan parable.  For example, many of our neighbors do not carefully monitor what their children watch.  So by making the filth on television illegal, we are effectively watching out for our neighbor’s children.

When addressing corruption in society, Christian media tends to focus on the gay agenda, which is understandable because there is an attempt to redefine the family.  But the Bible focuses more on heterosexual sin, i.e. any sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman.  Jesus raised the standard to include looking lustfully upon others.

Ancient Israel and Judah were ruled by kings for hundreds of years.  During that time, both nations prospered when obedient to God and both suffered when they disobeyed God.  During times of disobedience, God placed most of the responsibility on corrupt leaders, i.e., kings, princes and priests.  Proverbs 29:2  When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.  God told Isaiah that Israel’s leaders caused the people to err.  Isaiah 9:16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.

Like America’s leaders today, ancient Israel’s leaders used government to decree evil.  Isaiah 10:1-2 Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; 2 To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!

Under the guise of social justice, bipartisan leaders implement laws designed to bankrupt America morally and financially.  Business and political leaders commit crimes with impunity.  If they are not held accountable, the people will bear the consequences of their leaders crimes.

Criminals are running America’s government, so if citizens do not hold them accountable under the law, evil reigns supreme.  In a letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul said the law is to be used on the lawless.

1 Timothy 1:9-10 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons

Jesus said we should love our enemies, so when our enemies are criminals, enforcing the law is an act of love because one purpose of the law is to bring people to repentance and Christ.

Instead of holding corrupt leaders accountable, many Christian leaders cite 2 Chronicles 7:14 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.  But if someone is robbing people in the neighborhood, do Christians blame themselves or demand the perpetrator be incarcerated?

Christians must examine themselves, pray, and be humble before God, but they should not assume responsibility for crimes they have not committed.  When Elijah believed he was the only godly man left in Israel, God said there were 7000 who had not bowed their knee to Baal.  So in a corrupt nation, God does not include the faithful among transgressors.

To be numbered among the faithful in a corrupt nation, Christians must practice the truth found in James 1:22-24 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 

When applying 2 Chronicles 7:14 to America, we must consider the biblical context.  The verse was spoken by God to King Solomon, and the key words are “my people” and “their land”.  Long before Solomon became king, God commanded the Israelites to possess the land by driving out the ungodly inhabitants.  And it did not become “their land” until God’s commandments, statutes, and judgments were imposed via government.

When God says “my people”, he’s referring to faithful believers.  So God does not consider supporters of abortion, gay marriage, and forcing God out of the public square, as “my people”.  Romans 9:6-8 …For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:  7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8 That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God…

America is not a theocracy so we do not drive ungodly people out of the land, but we must place God fearing men and women in positions of authority who will govern according to the Biblical principles upon which America was founded.  This can done peacefully and lawfully when the love of God for all people is the driving force in our hearts.

In William Federer’s book titled America’s God and Country, he documents references to God in the original charters of the colonies, State Constitutions, and other historical documents.  His work proves that Christian values were an integral part of American government, and they are the moral foundation making limited government possible.  We must restore the framers intent regarding the first amendment, i.e., freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.

When Moses set up the first tribal government over Israel, his father in law Jethro gave him this advice. Exodus 18:21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

The Bible says God raises up, and takes down kings.  But it also says men raise up kings apart from God.  Hosea 8:4 They have set up kings, but not by me (God): they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.

In my opinion, the leadership of both political parties are covetous liars who do not fear God.  And they raise up virtual kings, but not by God.  We can raise up leaders according to God’s will.

Kelly_Shackelford

Kelly Shackelford

Kelly Shackelford is president and CEO of First Liberty Institute, the largest legal firm in the nation dedicated exclusively to protecting religious freedom for all Americans.  But nearly all attacks on religious liberty are against Christians.  Go to their website and click on “resources” for info on legal cases.  The Institute provides free services for clients and works with top law firms whose attorneys “fight for the opportunity to donate their time” to religious liberty cases.

Kelly Shackelford is first and foremost, an outspoken Christian.  In the video below, he said his work is about standing up for Jesus Christ, and winning does not require a majority of people, winning requires a committed minority willing to stand up for Jesus Christ.  Kelly said they win over 90% of their cases because they operate on principles like those in Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee where ever you go.

Dr. Charles Stanley had Kelly speak to his congregation.  He gave the people insight into his work by laying out the cases he took on over a two week period.  It was amazing, and Kelly received a standing ovation for his hopeful message.  You won’t find a more informative and encouraging presentation, please watch it.

Joni Lamb also interviewed Kelly who said, “the only reason we will lose religious liberty in this country is if we don’t stand for them”.  Following Christ’s example as a humble servant speaking truth in love is the key to restoring America to a virtuous Republic.

Romans 13:10-14 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.  14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

There are humble Christians speaking truth in love while working to abolish abortion.  Reverend Frank Pavone is a Catholic priest and President of the National Pro-Life Religious Council.  The website promoting his book Abolishing Abortion states, “The battle against abortion not only can be won, but it must be won.  The soul of our nation depends on it.”

Rev. Pavone was a guest on the “Herman and Sharron” show.  Herman and Sharron Bailey are Protestants working to abolish abortion, and their interview with Rev. Pavone is a great example of Christian unity.  The website and interview provide valuable facts and exemplify the Christ like attitude that will restore America to a virtuous Republic.

With regard to restoring Godly standards in government, American Christians have been told prayer is enough, but prayer without faith, and faith without works, is dead.

Driving the ungodly out of power may seem an impossible task, but God loves doing the impossible through his people because He gets all the glory.  Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.  Jesus was talking about our authority to cast out demons, so we certainly have authority to remove corrupt officials from office.  When God’s people lead, the leaders will follow.

Many Christian leaders call attention to the moral decay causing America’s decline.  But many also talk as if America’s decline is inevitable. They sound like the ten spies (Numbers 13&14) that convinced the Israelites they could not drive God’s enemies out of the promised land.  God regarded the Israelites fear and unbelief as rebellion against his will.  As a result, God condemned the unbelievers to death and forty years of wandering in the wilderness.

Is that what Christian leaders want for American Christians, i.e., die in the wilderness because we didn’t believe God would help us hold corrupt leaders accountable?  God did not tell Joshua to pray and hope the heathens would leave the promised land.  The Lord told Joshua to combine his faith with action and drive the enemies out of the land.

Likewise, Ezra and Nehemiah didn’t pray and then sit around waiting for someone to rebuild the temple and walls of Jerusalem.   Nehemiah gave up his comfortable position in the king’s palace and went back to Jerusalem to serve his God and kinsmen.  Ezra also took action and helped restore God’s law in Jerusalem’s government and society while rebuilding the temple.

Listen to this sermon titled “There is hope for America”.  It’s a fourth of July special by Pastor Michael Youssef.  He uses Nehemiah’s example of prayer and action as a template for the American church. Pastor Youssef’s sermon demonstrates how faithful Christians can change America.  Let’s encourage each other by sharing this kind of positive message instead of predicting America’s inevitable decline.  There is a worldly definition of positive, but Christians are positive because we are children of the God who created heaven and earth.

Christians are literally the body of Christ on earth, and as such, we must combine prayer and faith with action.  We send our men and women to fight and die for freedom in foreign countries, so the least we can do is stand up for Christian values and freedom here at home.  To do anything less makes a mockery of the sacrifice made by our troops.  James 5:16 …The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.  James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Furthermore, it’s a tiny minority that’s pushing abortion, God out of the public square, the gay agenda, and paganism a.k.a. environmentalism.  Take California for example, a majority of citizens voted to make gay marriage ILLEGAL, but a single judge overturned the will of the people.  And yet, Christian leaders talk about America as if it’s Sodom and Gomorrah, which God destroyed because he could not find ten righteous men. There are millions of Bible believing Christians in America who are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

If Christians follow the examples of Joshua, Nehemiah and Ezra, we can restore godly government in America.  But Christian leaders must stop promoting unbelief in God’s ability to help us turn America back to God.  They must encourage Christians to pray and act on their faith, i.e., pray and stand up for what’s right.  All around the world, the economy and government of the United States are being used to lure people into hell.  Millions, perhaps billions of souls are at risk if we ignore our responsibility to stand up for Christian values in our government.

By the Providence of God, America is a nation ruled by the consent of its citizens.  So NOT consenting to the corruption of America is our duty as citizens.  The Body of Christ must do five things: 1) Repent of unbelief  2) Pray  3) Live the Gospel, i.e., act on our faith  4) Organize and vote because less evil is better than more evil  5) Starting at the local level, place Bible believing men and women in positions of authority.  Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Jesus Christ came as a servant and said the greatest in the Kingdom of God would be a servant of all.  Being a servant includes public service that promotes Christian values in government.  America was founded upon Biblical principles and we prospered because those principles were applied in government.  If millions of godly servants donate time and money, we can reapply Biblical principles in government and restore America to a virtuous Republic.  Praise God!

There are many things we can do.  Educate ourselves, families, and friends.  Get involved in your local school board or county government.  Start a non-profit dedicated to promoting Christian values in public and private life.  Support organizations like Obama Zone, which defends local communities from Obama’s attempt to control zoning law.  Or Get Liberty, which works for limited government.  Whatever you do, lead by example, use your God given creativity, and never give up.

In spite of many signs we are in the end times, now is not the time to be passive.  Believing it’s futile to stand up for Christian values in government is contrary to Biblical principles.  For example, in Isaiah chapter 6, the prophet hears the Lord saying  8 Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. 9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

God told Isaiah to call the nation of Israel to repentance.  But God also said the people would not listen and the land would become “utterly desolate”.  So why did God send Isaiah on a mission that seemed destined to fail?  God said a remnant would return to the land, and His promises would be fulfilled through the remnant.  We may experience short term failure, but long term, it’s never futile to stand up for godly values in government.

God expects us to act on our faith, even if things look hopeless and everyone seems to be against us.  Ezekiel 22:30  And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it…   God was looking for one person to stand in the gap for Israel.  We don’t need overwhelming numbers to turn America around, we need to believe in the God that created the heavens and the earth.  God often uses seemingly impossible situations to demonstrate his power.

Zerubbabel faced great opposition when trying to rebuild the temple, so God sent an angel to remind them that true power is spiritual, which is contrary to the world’s understanding of power.  Zechariah 4:  …This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.  The Bible predicts global corruption but we can take a stand on God’s Word and say, not on our watch.  All things are possible with God, and with his help, America will again be a light in a dark world.

IS GOD JUDGING AMERICA?

2 Corinthians 5:19  …God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  Many Christian leaders say God is judging America, but that contradicts the previous verse.  Through Christ, God is reconciling the world unto himself, including America.  And God is not imputing sin unto the world, including America.

The book of Revelation describes a time in the future when God will judge all people and nations.  But God is not yet imputing sin unto nations or individuals, so we must not speak legalistic curses (condemnation) over them.  John 3:16 For God so loved the world… God chastens those he loves, but that’s very different from God judging sin and pouring out his wrath.

Jesus said he did not come to judge but to save: John 12:47-48 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

The apostle Paul said we should judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes. 1 Corinthians 4:3-5 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

When God judges the world, the Bible says great tribulation will come upon all nations, including Israel.  Revelation 18:1-4 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

3 For ALL NATIONS have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. 4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Many Christians link America’s success or failure to it’s relationship with Israel, as if blind support for Israel will cause God to bless America.  They cite Genesis 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee…  This was part of God’s promise to Abraham, whose seed God used to bless all the world through Jesus Christ.

But using Genesis 12:3 to curse anyone that does not blindly support Israel, is a perversion of God’s Word.  In the Bible, Israel repeatedly went against God’s will, and those who supported Israel during those times, were against God.  And the prophets who did not support Israel’s rebellion, were speaking for God.

Matthew 23:34 [Jesus said] Wherefore, behold, I send unto you [Israel] prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: 37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Ruth Graham is the wife of evangelist Billy Graham.  While reading a section of her husband’s book describing the downward spiral of America’s morality, Ruth exclaimed, “if God doesn’t punish America, He’ll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah”.  Even though Americans give millions of dollars a year to their ministry, the Grahams seem to believe America is as bad or worse than Sodom and Gomorrah, and deserves similar punishment .

The Graham’s attitude toward America was very different from Abraham’s when the LORD told him Sodom and Gomorrah would be destroyed.  In spite of the total depravity of those cities, Abraham pled with God to have mercy on them.  As a result , God said he would not destroy them if He could find ten righteous men living in the two cities.  Apparently, Billy and Ruth Graham did not know ten American Christians who, by grace through faith, are righteous before God in Christ.

Billy and Ruth made the same mistake as James and John when they asked Jesus to destroy a Samaritan village.  Luke 9:51-56 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he (Jesus) should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, 52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.  So even Christ’s own disciples mistakenly entered into judgement contrary to God’s will, and yet, like Billy and Ruth Graham, God used them to do great things.  Praise God!

Like Abraham who pleaded with God to have mercy on Sodom and Gomorrah, Moses and the apostle Paul made similar pleas for Israel.  After the Israelites made a golden calf and worshiped it, God was going to destroy them.  But Moses pleaded with God to forgive them and even asked God to remove him from the book of life if He didn’t spare Israel.  Exodus 32:32 Yet now, if thou wilt, forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

The apostle Paul said he would choose to be accursed if it would result in Israel’s salvation.  Romans 9:1-4 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, 2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: 4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;  Given the examples set by Jesus, Abraham, Moses and Paul, why are Christian leaders are so quick to condemn America and the church?

TBN’s “Praise the Lord” recently featured four prominent teachers of Bible prophecy, all of whom speak curses over America and the church.  They say God is judging America for its sins and predict an imminent collapse.  But one does not have to be a prophet to know that evil forces are trying to destroy America from within.  In some cases, it seems like prophecy experts use fatalistic predictions of judgement to prevent Christians from holding corrupt leaders accountable.  Matthew 24:4,11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

Rabbi Jonathan Cahn was one of the prophecy experts featured on TBN.  His new book allegedly unlocks the mystery of Shemitah, and uses the Shemitah to predict God’s imminent judgement of America.  But before jumping on  Cahn’s curse America bandwagon, listen to Dr. Baruch Korman’s teaching on the Shemitah.

Dr. Korman is a Jewish believer in Jesus Christ and a Hebrew scholar.  He addresses the “sensational” and misleading use of the Shemitah for predicting judgement.  Dr. Korman cites scripture that says the misuse of Shemitah is “demonic”.  Please watch the following video so you’re not deceived by false teachers.  You can find many Biblically accurate teachings at Dr. Korman’s website: Love Israel.org

2 Peter 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you…  Christ saw the people as sheep in need of a good shepherd.  Unfortunately, today’s false teachers see people as sheep they can lead to the slaughter, for a price. 

Those who say the church is under the curse of the law are perverting the gospel.  Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for the just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but the man that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The following Declaration is being promoted by Andrew Wommack Ministries.  Andrew is placing full page ads in major newspapers and asking Christians to sign the declaration as a first step toward re-establishing America’s foundation on Godly principles.  You can sign the declaration at Dependence on God.

DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE
UPON GOD AND HIS HOLY BIBLE
 

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. Since our Creator gave us these rights, we declare that no government has the right to take them away. Among these rights is the right to exercise our Christian beliefs as put forth in God’s Holy Bible.

We therefore declare that God grants life at conception and no one has the right to take that life unless it is a direct threat to the life of the mother.

Marriage was instituted by God between one man and one woman. The Lord gave only this family unit the responsibility to have children and raise them in the fear of the Lord.

We therefore respectfully reserve the right to refuse any mandate by the government that forces us to fund or support abortion. We also oppose same sex-marriage, polygamy, bestiality, and all other forms of sexual behavior prohibited by Holy Scripture.

We proclaim that Jesus has provided the cure for all sin and therefore reach out to the sinner in love, but do not embrace the sin, knowing its destructive nature.

Therefore, we, the undersigned– not only as Christians but also believing we have the constitutional right as Americans to follow these time honored Christian beliefs– commit to conducting our churches, ministries, businesses, and personal lives in accordance with our Christian faith and choose to obey God rather than man. (The end) Go to Dependence on God and sign this declaration of dependence on God and His Holy Bible.

This post began with encouraging words from President Ronald Reagan. Today, we do not have a God fearing leader like Reagan to inspire us, so now we must make his words our own, renew our hope and faith in God, and once again make America a light in a dark world.

“Let us begin an era of national renewal.  Let us renew our determination, our courage, and our strength, and let us renew our faith and our hope.  It is time to realize that we are too great a nation to limit ourselves to small dreams.  We will again be an exemplar of freedom, and a beacon of hope for those who do not have freedom.  We are a nation under God and I believe God intended us to be free.”

Ephesians 1:2-3 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.  3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

Did CNN say Obama is a dictator and his policies are ruining America?

Fareed Zakaria has a show on CNN called “GPS”, and each week he does a segment called “What in the world?”.  On November 17,  2013, this segment was about “How to ruin an economy”.  Fareed went through the following checklist of policies that will ruin a nation’s economy:

  • Nationalize businesses
  • Create hyperinflation
  • Induce a currency crisis
  • Subsidize, subsidize, subsidize
  • Create a dictatorship

The segment was actually about Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez and his successor.  But the parallels with Obama’s policies are undeniable and it’s possible CNN was using the segment as subtle criticism of Obama’s failing policies.  In the past, the socialist policies of Hugo Chavez were held in high regard by CNN and other left leaning networks.  So on the surface, this criticism of Venezuelan socialism seems like an ideological shift, but it’s just another example of media hypocrisy.

Regarding Obama the dictator, it’s a historical fact that dictatorial regimes can only take power when there’s support from financial elites.  Propagandists on the left say big government is good and big business is bad.  Propagandists on the right say the opposite, i.e., big business is good and big government is bad.  But history proves that dictatorial regimes are almost always the result of a public-private partnership involving big government and big business.

The 2014 budget is an example of the same tyranny faced by pre-revolutionary colonists, i.e., taxation without representation.  The following text and next paragraph are from an article in USA TODAY:  The nearly 1,600-page spending bill includes all 12 of the individual annual spending bills packaged into a $1.012 trillion “omnibus” spending bill.  The bill will have gone from unveiling to law in just six days, while the normal appropriations process is structured to take months and allow for more lawmaker input.

Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., holding up the thick bill on the House floor, criticized the House for voting on a bill “that nobody has read.”  McGovern cited a concern held by lawmakers in both parties that the details of the omnibus are likely to trickle out after the bill has become law.  ”I’m willing to bet in a week or so we’re going to read an article about something being in the bill that nobody knew about,”.  Jenny Beth Martin, co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots, characterized the bill as a “monstrosity.”  She said ”while Americans suffer the consequences of Obamacare, Congress is trying to rush through another massive bill before reading it,”

If representatives aren’t reading spending bills, there’s no way they can be representing the interests of their constituents, which means there is no representation for taxation.

FRAUD AND THE FEDERAL DEBT

Most media and politicians seem to have trouble distinguishing between Federal budget deficits and the national debt.  But I suspect it’s just another attempt to confuse the public.  Budget deficits are the annual amount that government spending exceeds income.  And America’s national debt is the total of all Federal budget deficits.

When George Bush took office in 2001 the national debt was 5.7 Trillion (treasurydirect.gov).  By the end of his second term the debt was 10.7 Trillion.  Five years into Obama’s Presidency, the debt was approaching 17 Trillion.  It took over 210 years to accrue a 5.7 Trillion debt and only twelve years to triple the debt.  So what has caused the national debt to triple in 12 years?  The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) says it will cost taxpayers $8.6 Trillion to prop up big banks after the financial crisis. 

One of the most powerful positions in Congress is Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.  This position was held by Democrat Barney Frank until 2010 when Republican Jeb Hensarling became Chairman.  During a House debate over the $700 billion bank bailout (TARP), Jeb said the budget deficit rose 800% to 1.2 Trillion, and taxpayers are on the hook for 8 Trillion due to the financial crisis.  The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) says it will cost taxpayers $8.6 Trillion to prop up big banks after the financial crisis. 

The Federal Budget went over the fiscal cliff in 2008 because of the financial crisis and resulting “Great Recession”.  Simon Johnson is a member of the CBO council of advisers, an MIT professor, and former chief economist for the International Monetary Fund.  In the clips below from a Senate hearing, Johnson says budget deficits and debt are driven by a drop in government revenue due to the recession.  Budget Chairman Kent Conrad and ranking Republican Judd Gregg did not disagree with Johnson’s analysis of the numbers, only his solutions.

Johnson cites J P Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon and former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson who say they expect another financial crisis in “3 to 7 years”.  Based on their prediction, Johnson said another crash of “Too Big To Fail” banks represents a short term budget liability equal to 40% of GDP (5.6 TRILLION), and CBO rules require this be scored in the budget.  Ranking Republican Judd Gregg  replied, “we don’t score a lot of things around here”, i.e., we’re cooking the books.

Not scoring items in the budget, i.e., keeping items off the books, includes some very big numbers.  When Fannie and Freddie collapsed, their 6.3 Trillion of toxic assets and liabilities were dumped on taxpayers, but they are off budget.  This article by the Heritage Foundation explains the off budget funding of both wars, which includes 60 billion dollars of waste, fraud, and abuse.  Finally, Trillions of dollars of trade deficits have resulted in the selling off of America to foreign governments like Communist China. 

In response to exploding Federal deficits and debt, the Simpson Bowles Commission and Super Committee were formed to address the fiscal crisis.  They both failed so the Budget Control Act was adopted which allowed Bush tax cuts to expire and implemented spending cuts (sequestration) on January 1, 2013.

Taxes will increase and entitlements will eventually be slashed to deal with the after effects of the Wall Street meltdown(s).  But the media narrative never frames the fiscal cliff in a factual context, i.e., exploding deficits and debt are primarily due to the financial crisis and resulting Great Recession, not entitlements and tax policy.

The so called conservative media says welfare programs and tax policy are the driving force behind America’s financial woes.  I do believe there’s a seditious attempt to create a socialist culture of dependence, but the facts indicate that this is a top down agenda, not grass roots.

The costs of unemployment compensation, food stamps etc., are substantial, but welfare for the financial elite is an existential threat to our economy and Constitutional rights.  For example, Obama wants Trillions for future bank bailouts, without Congressional approval.  And yet, “conservative” media says big business needs a tax cut.  But Republican tax guru Grover Norquist said, “corporations don’t pay taxes, they collect them from you and me…”.

In order to cover up the cost of toxic assets dumped on taxpayers and Trillions still held by banks, Congress pressured the Financial Accounting Standards Board to relax mark to market rules.  These rules require large companies to mark balance sheet assets to current market value.  But now, the relaxed rules allow government and banks to falsify the value of toxic assets on their balance sheet.  Small business owners would be charged with fraud for engaging is similar accounting practices.

Desmond Lachman is a former Deputy Director of the International Monetary Fund.  During testimony before Congress, he said “if the Federal Reserve balance sheet is marked to market, the Fed would have an enormous negative position”.  Systemic fraud is the new accounting standard for government and Wall Street.

Political leaders say cutting spending is a priority for restoring fiscal soundness.  But if my accountant is cooking the books and embezzling from my business, I can cut spending to zero and still go bankrupt.  And that’s what will happen to America if accounting rules promoting fraud are the standard.

The President of the Kansas City Federal Reserve said Too Big To Fail companies “have the availability of different rules” …. “The United States has been the most successful economy in history…because for the most part over it’s history, it has been bound by the rules of capitalism, which does in fact reward success, but also compels participants in the market to play by open rules…and [participants] are compelled to fail when they make poor decisions”.  This keeps markets efficient and creates winners based on merit, not privilege. 

                       THE FINANCIAL CRISIS AND US DEBT

Some people say the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) caused the subprime bubble because it forced banks to make loans to people who couldn’t repay them.  But the CRA was enacted in 1977 and had little to do with the 2008 financial crisis.  Most of the subprime loans were originated by lenders exempt from the CRA and regulated by the Federal Reserve.  And FED Chairman Alan Greenspan had virtually eliminated underwriting standards for mortgage brokers.

Thanks mostly to Greenspan, when the bubble burst, one in three mortgages required no proof of income or assets.  As stated by Republican Don Manzullo in the previous link, the Fed could’ve prevented the crisis because it had authority to reduce risk by setting reasonable underwriting standards.  But it did not, so in response to the financial crisis, the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was created by Obama’s Finance Reform (Dodd-Frank).

This brings to mind Rahm Emanuel, President Obama’s former chief of staff.  He said we should never let a serious crisis go to waste because it allows us to do things we could not do before.

So the financial crisis was used to create the CFPB, which is under the authority of the Fed, which did not use it’s authority to prevent the last crisis. OOPS!  The CFPB is supposed to protect consumers via new banking regulations.  But during a House hearing, Republicans blasted Raj Date, the acting Director of the CFPB, which is just another redundant, unaccountable agency.

Raj said the CFPB would make regulation more efficient.  But Republican Mike Grimm said “more government is often the problem”, and if you think its going to be more efficient, “you should probably be medicated”.  After asking Raj about the role of mortgage fraud in the financial crisis, Grimm said existing laws could have prevented the crisis, but there was a “big lack of enforcement”.

The Inspector General for TARP said fraud by the nine largest banks led to the TARP bailout.  During an open House session in 2004, the FBI warned Congress about a pandemic of mortgage fraud.  In this radio interview, William Black begins with the FBI warning and lays out compelling evidence of Wall Street fraud.  Mr. Black helped obtain 1000 criminal convictions of “elite” bankers after the 1980’s Savings and Loan meltdown.

Republican Sean Duffy grilled Raj about the role of small banks in the financial crisis.  Duffy said his small banks and credit unions had nothing to do with the crisis, but they are bearing the brunt of costly new regulations.  Duffy said the original intent of finance reform was to “see what went wrong on Wall Street”,  but main street is penalized while Wall Street is bailed out.  Duffy compared the CFPB to a dictatorship with no accountability.

Republican Don Manzullo told Raj, “I find it quite frightening that you made the statement that there are tens of thousands of products to be examined to see if they should be regulated”.  Then Don talked about the “stupid” regulations he encountered as a practicing attorney closing real estate deals.  He told Raj… but now we’re adding more and more regulations… “This doesn’t work Mr. Date…trying to set up a new bureau to do the job that the federal government could’ve done before”. 

Wall Street banks use regulation to extract Trillions from taxpayers without Congressional approval.  So the Too Big To Fail banks are expanding and buying up the competition while community banks struggle with the compliance costs of new CFPB regulations.  This is the result of regulatory capture.

Another example of the fraudulent media narrative is the collapse of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (F&F).  When investigating their collapse, the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission (FCIC) discovered evidence of bipartisan fraud.  But you didn’t hear about it in the news.

When F&F collapsed, taxpayers were forced to assume their 6.3 TRILLION of toxic assets and liabilities, which are off the Federal budget.  F&F were Government Sponsored Entities (GSE’s) until they collapsed in 2008 and were dumped on taxpayers.  Prior to their collapse, the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO), had limited authority to regulate F&F.

James Lockhart and Armando Falcon were former Directors of OFHEO.   While testifying before the FCIC, James Lockhart said the 1.5 Trillion taxpayer investment in GSE’s “may never be worth anything”.  Mr. Lockhart said “there was no debt discipline for these two companies, people didn’t care if they couldn’t put out a financial statement for five years, people didn’t care if they were starting to lose money”.

The evidence demonstrates that bipartisan leaders worked together to cover up Fannie and Freddie’s systemic risk.  FCIC Commissioner Byron Georgiou said both companies were cooking the books.  Then he addressed the issue of bipartisan lobbyists who blocked oversight while Fannie and Freddie engaged in illegal accounting practices.

Georgiou said “this was an equal opportunity bipartisan lobbying push over the years when Fannie and Freddie were engaging in this practice…there were well connected people who were either former legislators, or former staffers, and others from both parties, who were retained by these institutions to lobby”. This was “a particularly egregious lobbying abuse”.

Fannie and Freddie’s mission was supposed to be affordable housing, which was the justification for their GSE status.  But when asked why F&F didn’t take steps to reduce risk, Mr. Lockhart said “the Boards were much more focused on profitability, they felt that was their fiduciary responsibility to shareholders, the mission was a distant, not even second”.

In the same clip, Commissioner Thomas replied, “my assumption is there was virtually no discussion about taxpayers rather than shareholders”.  Lockhart laughed and Thomas said “you don’t have to answer that”.  Thomas then cites a Barron’s article saying F&F are insolvent and will be bailed out, followed by an e-mail from Treasury undersecretary Steele saying “it’s way above my pay grade to double the U.S. debt in one fell swoop”.

In 2003, Armando Falcon released a report characterizing F&F as a “systemic risk” to financial markets.  A few days before the report was released, Falcon received a call from Fannie Mae CEO Franklin Raines.  According to Falcon, Raines “threatened to bring down me and the agency” if the risk report was released.

Then, an official from Treasury called Falcon and said F&F lobbyists were pressuring other agencies to prevent the report’s release.  Finally, on the day the report was released, the Bush White House fired Falcon and media focused on his firing while giving “scant coverage” to the systemic risk report.  Falcon said this was “the result intended by those who engineered the timing of the announcement of my replacement”.

Who engineered the timing of the announcement?  It was the Bush White House who fired Falcon and refused to delay the announcement when Falcon asked them to do so.  And national media used the firing to cover up the 2003 risk report.  Think about it.  On April 9, 2010, Falcon testified under oath that Fannie Mae’s CEO threatened him, and the Bush White House carried out those threats.  In this clip, Mr. Falcon recounts the cover up of F&F’s systemic risk and the events leading up to his forced resignation 

Fannie and Freddie held 6.3 Trillion of toxic assets and liabilities when they collapsed in 2008, and for the preceding five years, bipartisan leaders in Congress, the Bush administration, and media, covered up the risk to taxpayers.  There’s only one reason why this was not a nationwide, front page story, i.e., left, right and center media colluded to cover up the crime.  And President Obama’s cover up of this crime makes him an accomplice.

Most of the previous information has been covered up by politicians and media, so it’s important to remember what the financial crisis did to the U.S. economy.  Phil Angelides was Chairman of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission (FCIC). His comments below are from a 2011 speech, they start at 7min/55sec and end at 15:00.

“Nearly 26 million Americans are out of work, cannot find full time work, or have quit looking for work.  Eleven TRILLION dollars of household wealth and retirement savings has been wiped away, vanished like some day trade gone bad…

The public stewards (government regulators) of our financial system failed us, the CEO’s of financial institutions drove their companies over the cliff and our economy with it…

The greatest tragedy coming out of this crisis would be to accept the idea that no one could’ve seen this crisis coming and thus, nothing could’ve been done.  If we accept this notion, I guarantee you, it will happen again”.

Presidents Bush and Obama have both said the financial crisis was unforeseen and could not have been prevented.  But the FCIC concluded otherwise, and yet, not one media story calls attention to the presidential cover up.

The left says Bush is entirely responsible for the financial crisis, and curiously, the right doesn’t point out President Clinton’s role, which is exposed by the PBS documentary The Warning.  It’s about former Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) director Brooksley Born.  The CFTC had authority to regulate derivatives and Born tried convincing President Clinton to reign in the 250 Trillion “dark” market.  But Fed Chairman Greenspan and Clinton’s economic advisers “shut her down and shut her up”.

Ms. Born predicted the derivatives market would blow up the economy, hence the  documentary’s name “The Warning”.   Instead of heeding Born’s warning, President Clinton and his cronies decided to repeal financial regulations that had kept Wall Street speculation in check since the Great Depression. 

Clinton’s deregulation of financial markets laid the groundwork for the subprime bubble, and President Bush let Wall Street run wild under the guise of creating more jobs and housing.  The Warning exposes bipartisan leaders who are ideologically opposed to regulating Wall Street financial fraud.

Dodd-Frank did not eliminate Too Big To Fail (TBTF) banks, so they’re effectively GSE’s backstopped by taxpayers.  This is demonstrated by Moody’s rating of Bank of America debt, which is rated five notches above what it would be without government support.  In addition to the explicit taxpayer subsidies for TBTF, Treasury is using Fannie and Freddie as a backdoor bailout for Wall Street.  President Obama, who allegedly opposes Wall Street fat cats, says nothing about the government backstop for America’s largest “private sector” banks.

It’s also important to remember that nobody forced Wall Street to BUY worthless subprime loans, securitize them, leverage them 50 to1, put fraudulent Triple A ratings on them, and sell them around the world.  In fact, the FBI testified before Congress in 2004 and warned that mortgage fraud would cause a financial crisis.  In 2006, mortgage industry experts warned all major lenders that “liars loans” had a “90% incidence of fraud”.

But the industry increased the number of liars loans to the point that 1 in 3 mortgages was a liars loan when the bubble burst.  That’s why Neil Barofsky, Inspector General for TARP, said fraud by the nine largest banks caused the need for the TARP bailout.  William Black helped obtain 1000 criminal convictions of “elite” bankers after the 1980’s Savings and Loan meltdown.  In this radio interview, Mr. Black starts with the 2004 FBI warning and lays out compelling evidence of Wall Street fraud, which has not been prosecuted by Obama’s Department of Justice.

Bottom line, bipartisan leaders were complicit in Wall Street fraud and irresponsible risk taking that drove the economy and budget over the cliff.  There’s no economic growth on the horizon that will make up for decreased government revenue due to the financial crisis, and we cannot tax our way out of Trillion dollar deficits.

In order to finance the exploding debt, Obama’s Treasury Secretary wants Congress to eliminate the debt ceiling.   In addition to removing the debt ceiling, the executive branch wants authority to spend Trillions on future Wall Street bailouts, without approval from Congress.  This will be accomplished via Dodd-Frank’s Resolution Authority, the part of the bill that institutionalizes TARP and gives Wall Street a blank check.

Simon Johnson wrote a book titled “13 Bankers, The Wall Street Takeover and the Next Financial Crisis”.  During a Book TV presentation, Mr. Johnson said the six largest banks have “captured the State” and have power to “extort” money from taxpayers.  Edward Kane is a senior research fellow at the F.D.I.C., he says the financial crisis and Dodd-Frank are examples of regulatory capture.

What does regulatory capture mean?  It means multinational corporations, which by definition are loyal to no country, have subverted representative government.  They have enough resources to hire the best accountants, lawyers and lobbyists money can buy, and use them to take over the lawmaking process in Congress.  That’s why Obama’s Department of Justice does not prosecute Wall Street CEO’s and their bipartisan partners in crime, let alone implement regulations that represent the interests of American citizens.

The Fed’s loose monetary policy, i.e., toxic asset purchases and 0% money for bailed out institutions, is another hit to the U.S. economy as it drives up  commodity prices and incentivizes irresponsible risk taking.  KC Fed President Tom Hoenig posed the following question:  What resource has ever been efficiently allocated when the price is zero?   He was referring to the Fed’s near 0% rate on capital.

Like Simon Johnson, Mr. Hoenig also recognizes the budgetary threat posed by Too Big To Fail banks.  He says Dodd-Frank widened the Federal safety net to include high risk gambling activities of large banks.  Hoenig proposed reinstating the Glass Steagall Act, which was enacted in 1933 as a response to the 1929 market crash.

Glass Steagall removed high risk investment bank activities from the Federal safety net (F.D.I.C.), but President Clinton repealed it in 1999.  It took only 9 years to repeat the crash of 1929.  Click here and listen to Mr. Hoenigs comments on TBTF banks.  If fiscal and monetary policy had focused on limiting home foreclosures and growing the Main Street economy, increased demand and economic growth would be reducing the deficit.

Congressional budget negotiations have nothing to do with getting deficits and debt under control.  The 2014 Federal budget is a prime example.  The following text and next paragraph are from an article in USA TODAY:  The nearly 1,600-page spending bill includes all 12 of the individual annual spending bills packaged into a $1.012 trillion “omnibus” spending bill.  The bill will have gone from unveiling to law in just six days, while the normal appropriations process is structured to take months and allow for more lawmaker input.

Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., holding up the thick bill on the House floor, criticized the House for voting on a bill “that nobody has read.”  McGovern cited a concern held by lawmakers in both parties that the details of the omnibus are likely to trickle out after the bill has become law.  “I’m willing to bet in a week or so we’re going to read an article about something being in the bill that nobody knew about,”.  Jenny Beth Martin, co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots, characterized the bill as a “monstrosity.”  She said “while Americans suffer the consequences of Obamacare, Congress is trying to rush through another massive bill before reading it,”

If members of Congress aren’t reading bills, they certainly aren’t writing them.  So who is writing legislation?  In the case of Obamacare, Dr. Howard Dean said the insurance industry and Democrat staffers wrote the bill (listen to the video in the link).  Congress not reading or writing legislation is the MO of Wall Street regulatory capture.

Even Republican tax guru Grover Norquist said, “corporations don’t pay taxes, they collect them from you and me…”.  Grover says corporations pass tax liabilities onto consumers by raising the price of their products.  But he doesn’t mention that small businesses, which may be corporations, bear the full cost of regulation and taxation because they have limited ability to shift costs to consumers.   For possible solutions to regulatory capture, check out the post on the Boston Tea Party.

This highlights the fiscal problem, i.e., large multinationals receive government subsidies while evading tax and regulatory costs.  And yet, bipartisan leaders want to lower tax rates for multinationals while raising taxes on small businesses and middle class individuals.  No politicians have done more to enrich Wall Street criminals and rob the middle class than Presidents Bush and Obama.

The stock market has nearly tripled in value under Obama while U.S. economic growth is stagnant.  Why?  Obama and the Fed have given Wall Street everything they want, including near zero percent money and immunity from criminal prosecution.  An interesting source is the book Godonomics, which illustrates the Biblical principles behind private property rights and market economies based on moral principles.

                            TRADE DEFICITS AND THE US DEBT

The fraud that led to the subprime bubble and Great Recession is only half the story behind America’s debt crisis.  Pat Mulloy is a member of the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission. He said trade deficits with China will change America from a “shareholder economy to a sharecropper economy”,  where China owns large chunks of our economy and we work for them.

In the same clip,  Mulloy said the U.S. has run 3 Trillion in trade deficits with China since they were given Most Favored Nation (MFN) status, and it’s “interesting”, China has 3 Trillion in foreign currency reserves.  He’s clearly suggesting that U.S. trade deficits contribute to China’s strong cash position.  Conversely, trade deficits increase U.S. debt and make America dependent on China for financing the debt.  

In the Wall Street Journal article China’s Superior Economic Modelformer SEIU President Andy Stern and Intel CEO Andy Grove favor China’s totalitarian economic model.  Which means they support China’s use of virtual slave labor, and imprisonment of those who dare speak about democratic reforms.  And yet, Obama tells students and union members they’re competing with China.  How can students and unions compete with slavery without first becoming slaves?

While U.S. workers and small businesses compete with China, US multinationals have formed  partnerships with Chinese State Owned Enterprises.  Hmmm?  Partners do NOT compete, they work together to achieve common goals.  Their goal is a command-control, low wage service economy in America, and global dominance for China’s totalitarian regime.

The origins of treasonous free trade policies can be traced back to Wall Street.  Charlie Rose interviewed Jim O’Neill, Chairman of Goldman Sachs asset management, who takes credit for creating the emerging markets, a.k.a. BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China).  About 29:45 into the interview, Rose mentioned the shift  of wealth and power to China and asked Jim what it means for America, a country “used to being on top”.  O’Neill said, “I’d like to hear Obama say, how do we adjust, before he says how do we compete”.

Then O’Neill referred to Obama’s former economic adviser Larry Summers saying, “he understands [China’s] relative advantage in international trade.”  The idea that America is competing with China is ludicrous.  Outsourcing and free trade in the NFL would be comparable to trading a team’s franchise player for the competition’s water boy.  Free trade is designed to pick winners and losers in the global economy and Goldman Sachs, a.k.a. Government Sachs, has picked America to lose.

The Federal Reserve has pumped TRILLIONS of dollars into the economy, and yet, U.S. economic growth is stagnant.  Why?  During an appearance on CNBC, George Soros cites data from the Bank of International Settlements (BIS), which says US and EU banks are the largest supplier of credit to emerging markets.  So bailed out banks are financing China’s 8% growth while U.S. growth is stagnant.

April 22, 2010, Rush Limbaugh cited an Investors Business Daily article saying “…despite the commitment of nearly 20 TRILLION in taxpayer funds to prevent another crisis, lending has stalled or shrunk.”  So US bank lending to communist China has grown while lending in the U.S. has stalled or shrunk.

The absolute numbers for big foreign banking systems’ exposure to China are as follows:

 Some say the electronic trinkets produced in China would be too expensive if manufactured in America.  But virtual slave labor has always existed in foreign countries, and before free trade, America’s economy thrived without exploiting cheap labor abroad.  Many leaders say government should be run more like a business.  Well, multinational corporations spend billions implementing policies that PROTECT their market share and global competitiveness.  They even engage in corporate espionage to gain competitive advantages that US leaders give away via free trade.

Businesses don’t engage in anything remotely resembling free trade.  Why?   Because providing the competition with capital and technology guarantees failure.   Doing so would cause shareholders to demand criminal prosecution of the Board of Directors and top officers, which is what should be done to politicians who have intentionally traded away America’s economic future.   Manufacturing is the engine of economic growth, so outsourcing manufacturing in exchange for cheap trinkets is like the Native Americans selling their sovereignty for beads and blankets.

American history teaches the concept of manifest destiny.  But how many fur traders, homesteaders and gold miners were thinking about manifest destiny when they moved West?   Few if any, they didn’t even know what the phrase meant.  Manifest destiny is the language of ruling class elites, i.e. merchant bankers and industrialists.  They moved common folk across the American West like pawns on a chess board.  Ruling class elites wanted conflict with the Indians so they could call in the cavalry and manifest their destiny.

The new frontiers for today’s ruling class are Communist China and emerging markets.  Free trade is preparing the way for the global cavalry and final phase of manifest destiny.  For all intents and purposes, US financial elites and industrialists have seceded from the Union.  They’ve allied themselves with China’s totalitarian regime and are engaged in economic terrorism against the United States.

Media and politicians support this treasonous alliance and they exploit class and race divisions as part of a divide and conquer agenda.  They want divided Americans to blame each other and fight over the economic crumbs left behind by free trade and the financial crisis.  We’re all Indians now.

Bipartisan leaders said free trade would transition America to a “low wage service economy”, a.k.a., de-industrialization.  Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, industrialized nations have dominated the global economy because manufacturing is the engine of growth.

Case in point, after WWII the German economy was literally a pile of rubble.  But seventy years later, in spite of high labor costs,  Germany has the strongest economy in the West.  Why?  They protect their manufacturing base.  Don’t buy the lie that America cannot do the same because, transitioning from the world’s largest manufacturer and exporter to a low wage service economy is by definition, a radical economic decline.

Wall Street and their bipartisans cronies have structured the global economy (globalization) in a way that subsidizes China with U.S. capital and technology.  The decline in growth resulting from free trade and de-industrialization was masked by the subprime bubble.  In my opinion, the subprime bubble was intentionally created to cover up the economic contraction caused by free trade and outsourcing.  When the bubble burst, average citizens were blamed for living beyond their means and the structural decline resulting from free trade wasn’t even mentioned.

                                      WAR AND THE US DEBT

CNBC reported that Chinese State owned companies are currently mining a trillion dollars of mineral reserves in Afghanistan.  The guest said Afghanistan is the “Saudi Arabia of lithium”.  Lithium is used in batteries for electric cars and battery storage for wind and solar farms.  So Afghanistan is the first war for “green” energy and U.S. blood and treasure are subsidizing Communist China’s totalitarian regime.

Green energy is a subsidy for China because lithium batteries and solar panels are produced by Chinese manufacturers. After the Iraq war, most of Iraq’s oil is going to China. The objective is to subsidize emerging markets led by China’s totalitarian regime.  This will create a neo-feudalistic world where China is the new home of the Global Military Industrial Complex (GMIC).

The US/China partnership allows the respective governments to play both sides of global conflicts, thereby providing guaranteed profits for the GMIC.  Iran, North Korea and Syria are prime examples.  The US government classifies North Korea and Iran as state sponsors of terrorism.  But the CSPAN clips below demonstrate that China supplies Iran with chemical, ballistic and nuclear weapons, and allows trans-shipments of weapons from North Korea to Iran, which then supplies Syria and Hezbollah.

US leaders condemn the actions of Iran, Syria and North Korea, all client states of China, while turning a blind eye to the fact that they could not be a threat to the West without Chinese support.  Link1, Link2, Link3, LInk4, Link5  Compelling evidence of bipartisan treason can be found in these posts on Saudi funding of terrorism and China’s totalitarian regime.

Real solutions for the debt crisis begin with enforcing the rule of law as described in William Black’s radio interview.  Then, follow Tom Hoenig’s advice and reinstate Glass Steagall, thus removing Wall Street’s high risk gambling losses from the Federal safety net.  Next, begin dismantling free trade agreements and replacing them with protectionist policies that have a two hundred year track record of successfully growing the U.S. economy.  For more detail, check out my pdf “Knowledge is Power” and the sections on financial markets and solutions.

Congressional Hearing: Obama has “become the very danger the Constitution was designed to avoid”

This clip is from a Congressional hearing on President Obama’s abuse of power.  It begins with Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte’s question to Constitutional scholar Jonathan Turley, who is a frequent guest on leftist news shows.  In spite of voting for Obama, Turley says Obama “has become the very danger the Constitution was designed to avoid”.  The following three paragraphs are from the clip.

REP. BOB GOODLATTE (R-VA): Professor Turley, the constitution, the system of separated powers is not simply about stopping one branch of government from usurping another. It’s about protecting the liberty of Americans from the dangers of concentrated government power. How does the president’s unilateral modification of an act of Congress affect both the balance of power between the political branches, and the liberty interests of the American people?

JONATHAN TURLEY: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The danger is quite severe. The problem with what the president is doing is that he’s not simply posing a danger to the constitutional system. He’s becoming the very danger the Constitution was designed to avoid. That is the concentration of power in every single branch.  This Newtonian orbit that the three branches exist in is a delicate one but it is designed to prevent this type of concentration.

There are two trends going on which should be of equal concern to all members of Congress. One is that we have had the radical expansion of presidential powers under both President Bush and President Obama. We have what many once called an imperial presidency model of largely unchecked authority. And with that trend we also have the continued rise of this fourth branch. We have agencies that are quite large that issue regulations. The Supreme Court said recently that agencies could actually define their own, or interpret their own jurisdiction. (House hearing, December 3, 2013)

Judge Andrew Napolitano had a popular show on Fox News, until he started getting too close to the truth, i.e., both political parties are sabotaging the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.  Judge Napolitano recently appeared on The World Over, a television show that airs on the Catholic network EWTN.  During the interview, he talked about his new book titled Suicide Pact, which documents the radical expansion of presidential power in America.

The first half of Suicide Pact covers presidential abuse of power from George Washington to Bill Clinton, and the last half of the book covers the rapid move toward an imperial presidency under George W. Bush and Barak Obama.  Judge Napolitano’s interview is a must see for those concerned about unchecked violations of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.  For more info check out the Judge’s website at judgenap.com.

January 28, 2014, Senator Ted Cruz was on Bill Bennett’s show talking about Obama’s “imperial presidency”.  Bennett asked what can be done and Cruz suggested three options: 1) Congress must exercise its Constitutional prerogative, i.e., use oversight authority to restore checks and balances.  2) The media must return to its role as an objective reporter of the news.  3) The people must stand up and demand accountability.  The rest of this post will address these three options, and being a conservative, I will focus on what I consider failures of “conservative” media.

When asked what Congress can do, Senator Cruz referenced the select committee appointed to investigate Watergate and explained that select committees have broad investigative powers, whereas regular hearings only give members five minutes to ask questions.

Cruz said the the House of Representatives should immediately appoint two select committees.  One to investigate the IRS targeting Obama’s political opponents and a second to investigate Benghazi.  He said “Speaker Boehner has the power today to appoint a select committee and I have no idea why he doesn’t”.

Select committees won’t be created without pubic pressure, so contact your representatives and demand the creation of select committees to investigate Obama’s abuse of power.  Listen to Congressman Gowdy’s statement during a hearing on the IRS.  He exposes Obama’s lie that there’s not a “smidgen of corruption” at the IRS.

This is a link to the hearing on Obama’s abuse of power.  If you believe President Obama should be held accountable for abuse of power, the hearing will give you ammunition to educate others.  Make clips of the hearing and send them to your attorney, local Sheriff, District Attorney, State Attorney General, and U.S. Attorney.  Concerned citizens must get organized and demand a return to Constitutional checks and balances.
 
The Constitution guarantees our right to representation when being taxed.  But the 2014 budget is an example of taxation without representation. The following text and next paragraph are excerpts from a USA TODAY articleThe nearly 1,600-page spending bill includes all 12 of the individual annual spending bills packaged into a $1.012 trillion “omnibus” spending bill.  The bill will have gone from unveiling to law in just six days, while the normal appropriations process is structured to take months and allow for more lawmaker input.
 
Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., holding up the thick bill on the House floor, criticized the House for voting on a bill “that nobody has read.”  McGovern cited a concern held by lawmakers in both parties that the details of the omnibus are likely to trickle out after the bill has become law.  ”I’m willing to bet in a week or so we’re going to read an article about something being in the bill that nobody knew about,”.  Jenny Beth Martin, co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots, characterized the bill as a “monstrosity.”  She said “while Americans suffer the consequences of Obamacare, Congress is trying to rush through another massive bill before reading it,”  

 

The hearing on Obama’s abuse of power, the IRS hearing, and the 2014 budget, received little attention from allegedly conservative media hosts like Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin.  They play meaningless clips that dumb down listeners but ignore hearings that present facts regarding Obama’s abuse of power.  Do they think Constitutional principles have been achieved when the people’s representatives don’t read budget bills?  If representatives aren’t reading spending bills, it’s taxation without representation.

Why would “conservatives” like Levin and Limbaugh, sweep an official inquiry into Obama’s abuse of power under the rug?  Maybe they fear people like Shane Harger, Police Chief of Jemez Springs, NM.  He was ordered to disband his Police Department because he attended the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA) Convention.  The CSPOA provides information and defends the Constitution, so check out their website to inform yourself and support their work.

Obama has committed many potentially impeachable offenses.  Lying about citizens keeping insurance policies and doctors under Obamacare, arbitrarily changing the healthcare law, using the IRS to target political opponents, letting Americans die in Benghazi, arbitrarily granting amnesty to illegal immigrants under the guise of “prosecutorial discretion”, and arming drug cartels with his Fast and Furious gun running program.  Obamacare probably would not have passed if Obama had not intentionally deceived the American people.  Unfortunately, Levin and Limbaugh do not make impeachment a priority.

The House of Representatives is controlled by Republicans and the impeachment process starts in the House.  If the House voted to impeach Obama, the Democrat controlled Senate would not convict him, but a special prosecutor would be appointed to investigate all the aforementioned crimes.  The investigations could be used to educate and inform the American people.

At some point, we have to defend Constitutional principles, irregardless of the political costs.   Homeland Security has said veterans and conservatives who support Constitutional government are a threat to national security. How far down the road to tyranny do we have to go before Rush and Levin call for impeachment?

Like Ted Cruz, Mark Levin is a Constitutional scholar, but he never mentions select committees as an option to check Obama’s abuse of power.  If Levin used his legal foundation and radio show to develop legal arguments for impeachment, many conservatives would offer financial support.  Michael Connelly is doing what Levin should be doing.  Connelly is a veteran and Constitutional lawyer who uses media to build a case for impeaching Obama.  He also does pro bono work for veterans losing their second amendment rights due to medical issues.

Go to Michael Connelly’s website and find out what a real conservative is doing to protect and defend the Constitution.  I think Levin and Limbaugh’s weak support for impeachment is a betrayal of the men and women fighting and dying to uphold the Constitution.

The Declaration of Independence was a criminal indictment of King George III, and it provided the legal and moral justification for Revolution.  If you read the list of grievances, most of them apply to today’s bipartisan tyrants.  The Declaration ends with these words: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor”.

Against all odds, they defeated the British empire and drafted the U.S. Constitution, but the States refused to ratify the Constitution without a promise to include a Bill of Rights.  The States were willing to dissolve the Union if the Constitution didn’t include amendments protecting their unalienable rights from a tyrannical central government. 

The founders, framers, and States understood the price of freedom, and they knew how to protect their unalienable rights from tyranny.  If we’re going to preserve the Republic they fought and died for, we must take a stand against the current assault on our founding principles.  Our founders and troops put everything on the line in defense of our Constitution, so putting some time and resources into educating ourselves and others is the least we (civilians) can do.

Thomas Paine’s distribution of “Common Sense” was instrumental in building the ground swell of support necessary for the Revolution, and in the age of the internet, we have we have no excuse for not following Paine’s example.   

Rush Revere is a character in Rush’s new children’s book.  Rush is obviously comparing himself to Paul Revere.  But Paul Revere was willing to fight the British tyrants to the death, and Rush has repeatedly said if things get too bad in America, he’s going to haul his cowardly carcass on a plane and go to “Costa Rica” or “New Zealand”.  Rush’s cut and run attitude is the same as British loyalists who opposed the American Revolution, i.e., when things got tough, they went back to England and sucked up to the king.

Rush’s cut and run attitude makes a mockery of the sacrifice made by our founders and troops.  Rush and Levin support “free” trade that is selling America off to Communist China.  And let’s not forget that Rush was a big supporter of the Dubai Ports World deal, which would’ve allowed an Arab government to control U.S. ports.  And Dubai is one of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that were funding the Sunni insurgents killing our troops in Iraq.

In my opinion, Rush Limbaugh is nothing more than a prostitute who bends over for wannabe kings and queens in exchange for a bit of glitter.  Violating the oath of office is a felony.  And trade policies that make America dependent on Communist China are a clear violation of the oath to protect and defend the Constitution.

Mark Levin puts out good information about the Constitution, but like Rush, he’s a big supporter of the Patriot Act, Homeland Security, and indefinite detention of Americans without due process, all of which have the potential to eviscerate the Bill of Rights in exchange for alleged security.  I think Levin’s idea to amend the Constitution via Article 5 is an exercise in futility.  Why?  Because corrupt bipartisan leaders violate current amendments at will, with no consequences.  So why would more amendments be effective without first enforcing existing law?

More amendments won’t be effective, that’s why I’ve concluded Levin’s proposal is an attempt to keep Tea Party Indians on the establishment reservation.  This will be accomplished via an endless focus on the political process, and not enforcement of the rule of law.  The founders created a nation based on equality before the law, not equality of income or outcome, and bipartisan leaders who’ve placed themselves above the law have created a Constitutional crisis.  But I rarely hear Levin or Limbaugh advocate for equality before the law.

Another example of a legal double standard is the government’s relaxation of mark to market rules.  These rules were put in place after Enron’s collapse and require large companies to mark balance sheet assets to current market value.  But now, the relaxed rules allow government and banks to falsify the value of toxic assets on their balance sheet.  Small business owners would be convicted of fraud for engaging in similar accounting practices.

Desmond Lachman is a former Deputy Director of the International Monetary Fund.  He said, ”if the Federal Reserve balance sheet is marked to market, the Fed would have an enormous negative position”.  Systemic fraud is the new accounting standard for government and Wall Street.

Political leaders say cutting spending is a priority for restoring fiscal soundness.  But if my accountant is cooking the books and embezzling from my business, I can cut spending to zero and still go bankrupt.  And that ‘s what will happen to America if we focus on amending, not enforcing the Constitution and market principles.

Many are calling for a balanced budget amendment, but it wouldn’t do any good because Congress cooks the books with impunity.  For example, Fannie and Freddie’s 6.3 Trillion of toxic assets and liabilities were placed off budget when they were dumped on taxpayers.    And Too Big To Fail banks, which are Government Sponsored Entities (GSE’s) like Fannie and Freddie, will cost taxpayers 8.6 Trillion.  So a balanced budget amendment will not prevent the debt from exploding when politicians cook the books during the next financial crisis.

By law, the public airwaves must be used to serve the public interest. But left and right media deliberately use our public airwaves to misinform and divide citizens.  It’s a classic divide and conquer strategy.  I’m a conservative, so I’m going to illustrate how phony conservatives like Limbaugh spread divisive misinformation.

For example, when talking about the socialist agenda, he spends 99% of his time talking about food stamps, unemployment benefits and the minimum wage.  But that’s only half the story.  The other half is the Fed’s Quantitative Easing (QE), which is subsidizing the stock market and big banks with Trillions of dollars at near zero percent interest.  And there is no free lunch, QE devlaues the dollar so we pay more for goods and services, economists define this inflation as a tax.

While Republicans work on legislation to cut foods stamps by 40 Billion over the next ten years, the Fed is buying 40 Billion per month of toxic mortgage backed securities from Wall Street.  Some people call this crony capitalism, but cronyism has nothing to do with capitalism.  Cronyism is socialism trending toward fascism, and it’s a threat equal to or greater than welfare for the poor.

Using crony capitalism to describe socialism only supports the arguments of those like Obama and the Pope, who seek to discredit capitalism.  Words matter, so when discussing the failures of socialism, we must make it clear that cronyism is an example of socialist redistribution that causes wealth inequality.

Dodd-Frank, Obama’s finance reform, is an example of crony socialism.  It gives Obama authority to spend Trillions on future bailouts of Too Big To Fail banks, without Congressional authority.  This is not capitalism.  An interesting source is the book Godonomics, which illustrates the Biblical principles behind private property rights and market economies based on moral principles.

The left criticizes corporate welfare, and the right criticizes welfare for the poor.  They both tell half truths as a means to support socialism for their respective constituents, divide citizens, and eliminate accountability for bipartisan leaders.  It’s a criminal bipartisan scheme to create a culture of dependence, usurp our unalienable rights, bankrupt America, and create a dictatorship.

If citizens take back their public airwaves and force broadcasters to serve the public interest, it would be possible to unite this country based on the facts and restore Constitutional government.  For some possible solutions, check out my post on the Boston Tea Party.

Levin recently mentioned a Drudge Report story about the 55 million children aborted in America.  But he’s a big support of US free trade policies that subsidize Communist China’s forced abortions a torture of Christians.  Cheap labor has always existed in third world countries, and the U.S. economy thrived without outsourcing our industrial base to communist countries.  There aren’t enough wives for young Chinese men because the communist government has murdered 100 million girls via forced abortion.

Levin opposes US government ownership of industry, but a company owned by the Chinese government recently bought Smithfield Foods, America’s largest pork processor.  While Levin yaps about a “free” market, he says nothing about foreign governments buying up U.S. industry.   Ronald Reagan didn’t allow the Soviet Union or Communist China to buy up U.S. assets. 

Republicans like Limbaugh and Levin say they support free markets.  But based on the “free” market, Aramco, a Saudi State owned company owns half of America’s largest refinery, and the governments of China and Qatar are acquiring U.S. Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) facilities.  Apparently, foreign government ownership of U.S. industry is their definition of a free market.  The Saudis use their stake in the Motiva refinery as a market for their crude.  Is it more efficient to ship crude from Saudi Arabia to the U.S. instead of using the glut of North American oil reserves?

The point is, free markets have nothing to do with market efficiency or freedom from government intervention.  The term “free market” is a euphemism for managed global markets that serve the strategic interests of monopolistic multinationals and their political cronies, who despise the notion of sovereign representative governments and unalienable rights.  That ‘s why State owned companies, which are fronts for totalitarian regimes, are given free reign in the imaginary free market.

The framers of the Constitution wanted a market economy, not a free market, i.e., a market free from legal and moral Constitutional constraints.  By putting the Commerce Clause in the Constitution, they made market principles subordinate to the principles of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.  But the ability of the Commerce Clause to interfere in economic activity is limited.

In his ruling on Obamacare, Chief Justice Roberts said the “individual mandate is not a valid exercise of Congress’s power under the Commerce Clause,” but he betrayed the intent of the framers and ruled it a Constitutional tax.  Likewise, Levin and Limbaugh betray the intent of the framers by supporting the sale of U.S. industry to Communist and Islamo-fascist governments, a.k.a. globalization.

Some say the electronic trinkets produced in China would be too expensive if manufactured in America.  But virtual slave labor has always existed in foreign countries, and before free trade, America’s economy thrived without exploiting cheap labor abroad.  Many leaders say government should be run more like a business.  Well, multinational corporations spend billions implementing policies that PROTECT their market share and global competitiveness.  They even engage in corporate espionage to gain competitive advantages that US leaders give away via free trade.

Businesses don’t engage in anything remotely resembling free trade.  Why?   Because providing the competition with capital and technology guarantees failure.   Doing so would cause shareholders to demand criminal prosecution of the Board of Directors and top officers, which is what should be done to politicians who have intentionally traded away America’s economic future.  

Manufacturing is the engine of economic growth, so outsourcing manufacturing in exchange for cheap trinkets is like the Native Americans selling their sovereignty for beads and blankets.

American history teaches the concept of manifest destiny.  But how many fur traders, homesteaders and gold miners were thinking about manifest destiny when they moved West?   Few if any, they didn’t even know what the phrase meant.  Manifest destiny is the language of ruling class elites, i.e. merchant bankers and industrialists.  They moved common folk across the American West like pawns on a chess board.  Ruling class elites wanted conflict with the Indians so they could call in the cavalry and manifest their destiny.

The new frontiers for today’s ruling class are Communist China and emerging markets.  Free trade is preparing the way for the global cavalry and final phase of manifest destiny.  For all intents and purposes, US financial elites, industrialists, and their political cronies have seceded from the Union.  They’ve allied themselves with China’s totalitarian regime and are engaged in economic terrorism against the United States.

Media and politicians support this treasonous alliance and they exploit class and race divisions as part of a divide and conquer agenda.  They want divided Americans to blame each other and fight over the economic crumbs left behind by free trade and the financial crisis.  We’re all Indians now.