The US presidential election is heading into its final forty days. Most of the polls are close, and much is being said about the importance of the debates which are scheduled for October.

As I look at the current race–in what many are saying is a pivotal contest in America’s history–I am reminded of one unmentioned advantage that President Barack Obama holds. 

It relates to human nature.

I’m also aware of a different kind of strength that might propel Mitt Romney in 2012. Let’s call it Mitt Romney’s secret weapon.

First, a bit of perspective.

The main predicament we find ourselves in in America during this early part of the 21st century is a titanic battle of worldviews that has become a struggle for the future of the nation.

The mainstream media blurs our understanding of this battle by naming it “gridlock”–as in Washington, D.C. They don’t  define gridlock nor explain why it is worse now than it was thirty years ago. They imply that the answer is for Republicans and Democrats to be more tolerant and humble toward one another which would translate into bi-partisan accomplishments.

But a change of attitude is not the problem. The two major parties in this country have come to strongly represent two diametrically opposed political ideologies that are battling for America’s soul.

There is little room for compromise. One will win and the other will lose.

Here’s what I mean.

For the first two hundred years of American history, various political parties participated in our national life. They had differences on numerous issues, but not on the fundamental American worldview which was Judeo-Christian. They all generally believed in God, the American experiment in freedom, the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and America’s just-war role in world affairs.

Thus a progressive Democrat like Franklin Roosevelt, as recently as the 1940s, could go on the radio and, almost like the “pastor” of the nation, lead the citizens of the United States in prayer as they faced the dark days of World War II.

His Republican alternative could have done the same. At that time, the atheist or secular view of life was present in this country but had not become a dominant player in government, the media, or the high echelons of education–or either political party.

But, from the 1960s onward, secularism rose to become a powerful force in America life and politics. Its champions created a dubious interpretation of the First Amendment, and under the newly minted mantra of “separation of church and state” began to battle at every turn the Judeo-Christian foundations of the nation.

Prayer in schools fell in the 1960s; Abortion on demand became law in the 1970’s; Families began to crumble under the onslaught of immorality and easy divorce became the norm; Free enterprise capitalism became disrespected and controlled; America’s role as a beacon of liberty began to be questioned in the world (think Viet Nam), and this change began to affect the two political parties.

For those who like labels, we are told that the Republicans went right and the Democrats went left.

If life was based on geography, then this branding might be true. But it’s not. Life is based on ideas that emanate from a person or group’s concept of reality.

Here is the better perspective: Republicans continued to believe in the biblical worldview of life, liberty, and government, and the Democrats began to embrace secularism.

So in 2012, Republicans generally promote the historic Judeo-Christian worldview whose issues focus on pro-life, family, freedom, hard work, small government, national defense and believe that America is a God-blessed nation.

The Republican platform of 2012 backs up that analysis. You can read it here.

The Democrats, on the other hand, are now anti-life (abortion), want to legalize same sex marriage (re-define family), want the government to restrict the freedom of business and religion in this nation, desire to provide substantial entitlements to people, want a larger and more powerful central government, and are committed to scale back national defense.

The Democratic platform of 2012 also clearly backs up the above analysis. You can read it here.

It is not being unfair to say today that Republicans “trust in God” and Democrats “trust in government.” Voting trends in past elections show that faith-based people vote Republican nearly 70% of the time and the same number of secular-oriented people vote Democratic.

In fairness, there are Republicans that take secular positions on some issues, and there are Democrats that take biblical stances in various areas. No human or party is perfectly consistent.

But the stark contrast remains. One party believes in freedom anchored in God-given truths. The other professes a freedom that evolves from human sources.

So we come to the clearest-choice election of all of American history. Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan and the Republican Party–despite their many weaknesses–want to steer the American nation back to its biblical foundations and moorings. Barack Obama, Joe Biden and the Democratic Party–despite their many strengths–want to take America into a humanistic future.

Barack Obama has a decided advantage in this task which relates, not to his secular outlook, but to the teachings of the Bible. It explains and history verifies that human beings are depraved, sinful, have missed the mark of God’s glory (Romans 3:23)–and hence, find it easier to be selfish than do right.

We call this truth human depravity.

What this means in elections is that if a sizable minority or majority of Americans no longer believe in God and do not have biblical faith that produces character, self-control, sacrifice, and in a word, morality–then those people will use their freedom to vote for more money from the Treasury.

Many years ago, John Adams warned us that , “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

When we cease to be faithful and moral due to our human depravity, we will vote for those things that take away freedom (and bring God’s judgment).

This is the 47% that Mitt Romney got in trouble for mentioning. There is a growing segment of the American population that want the government to take care of them (depravity) as opposed to putting their trust in God (faith & morality).

I blame this sad state of affairs on the Church. We have failed to bring the message of Christ’s love, grace, power and hope to the masses in our nation. We have not expanded the culture of faith and morality that freedom requires to be sustainable.

So a growing percentage of the people want a government savior, not the Prince of Peace.

We, the Church, are at fault.

We need to repent.

Going into the November 6 election, this neglect is Barack Obama’s advantage. If a majority of people act out of their self-interest (human depravity), he will win the election. And if he does, secularism just might become the majority religion in our nation as it is in many European countries. And we will accelerate down the destructive pathway our European brethren are treading.

Mitt Romney doesn’t have the power of human depravity on his side. But he does have a secret weapon that is quietly amassing behind him: the power of prayer and repentance.

Many different prayer movements are launching in the next forty days among American believers to soften our hearts, ignite our faith, and invite the gracious hand of God to invade our double-minded nation.

One movement is America for Jesus–led by Anne Gimenez–which will take place in Philadelphia a few days from now. Shirley and I were a part of the original Washington for Jesus on April 29, 1980 that brought a season of renewal to our nation. Anne’s visionary husband, John, is now in heaven, but she has picked up the torch to call the country back to the Lordship of Christ. If you’re able to participate in AFJ 2012, here are the details.

Also this week another friend of mine and his team are starting forty days of worship on the Washington Ellipse near the White House. It is called “David’s Tent” and if you live in the DC area, please go down to the Mall night or day to join those that are worshipping Jesus 24-7.

Next week I will be in the DC area for another prayer thrust called “The Summons” in which intercessors are descending on the capital city for pray for our leaders and the coming elections. If you want to participate, here is the site to look up.

And if you are in other parts of the country and world, there are a number of prayer thrusts that are happening to call the Church to intercession, humility, repentance, and fundamental change. One takes its name from the famous 2 Chronicles 7:14 passage – “if my people“- and the other is a call to fasting and prayer for the next forty days.

When I got home from a meeting last night, I saw yet another announcement from Dr. John Hagee, American pastor and leading advocate for Israel:

“I am asking the Christians of America to join us in 40 days of prayer for this presidential election. These 40 days of prayer will begin on Sept. 28, 2012. You can do it individually or in groups, but prayer is the most powerful force God has given us to bring our nation back to righteousness. I’ll be saying more about this as the year progresses, but mark it on your calendar and start telling your family, friends, and church members now about the 40 days of prayer.”

A huge groundswell of prayer is beginning. Some of it will be for Barack Obama’s re-election, but most of it will be a cry for repentance and revival that will benefit Mitt Romney’s candidacy.

Will it be advantage “depravity” on November 6 or the secret weapon of answered prayer?

Only God knows what we deserve.

Let us pray.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The eleventh anniversary of 9-11 ignited a fire storm of jihadist sentiment throughout the Middle East and around the world.

The Obama Administration said the outbreak was due to a YouTube video trailer of the prophet Mohammed that had been released in July (not likely). Others believe that the current mixed signals and weakness in US foreign policy are emboldening those who hate America (more likely).

Bill O’Reilly on The Factor kept asking his guests this week what is it about about Muslim culture that lends to this type of mob hysteria and violence? (No one seemed to give a clear answer.)

Here’s my take: You have to understand “domains” to respond to radical Islam. And you must keep those domains separate in knowing what to do.

Here’s are four ways we must respond to the Islamic uprising.

Whenever I watch a mob scene on television, or ponder a senseless death like that of Libyan US diplomat Christopher Stevens, I go through an array of emotions that all seem to be correct. I am angry at the perpetrators and desire to see them brought to justice. But I also understand the words of Jesus who tells us to “love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44).

I also see the need for humanitarian outreach to suffering people who seem to release their pent-up feelings on the rich and powerful around them. And I’ve known all my life that evil people will remain evil people until they are evangelized, meet the Savior of the world, and allow him to change their hearts.

So my response can be varied from hatred to compassion.

To be honest, blowing their head off is the easiest response. The temperate responses take more character and work.

Because of these dichotomies, we better come to grips with how to respond to the current fires of global jihad. The key is understanding the different domains of life.

I wrote a book in 1989 called Leadership for the 21st Century: Changing Nations Through the Power of Serving. It was one of the first treatises at the time on the different spheres or domains of life that make up human society. During my research for the book, I grew to appreciate Abraham Kuyper, Dutch theologian, educator, journalist and politician who, over one hundred years ago, clearly taught God’s sovereignty over all areas of life–but also explained man’s designated domains of authority.

Here’s a relevant quote from the book:

“The concept of sphere authority was foundational to Kuyper’s world view. God was the Supreme Sovereign, with all other authority delegated by Him. On earth were various jurisdictions, all responsible directly to God and designed to operate independently and in complimentary unity. The state, or civil government, was a sphere where officials were to operate according to God’s ordinances (Romans 13). But there were other spheres that were to be completely independent of state authority, but also directly accountable to God. These were the various “social circles,” like family, the Church, education, and the arts.”

You might want to read that paragraph again. The quick summary is:

• God is the ultimate authority but has created other authoritative domains on earth.
• The spheres are independent, responsible to God, but designed to compliment one another.

The important idea is because there are different domains, or authorities, there are also very different responses that are required toward human events, both good and evil.

Let’s now apply that understanding the fires of Islamic jihad that are currently scorching US embassies in over twenty nations around the world.

How should we respond?

Government Domain 

The primary role of human governments according to Romans 13  is to protect our God-given rights to life, liberty, and property (how we pursue happiness). Paul says that governments are responsible to punish evil–hence the need for police, courts of justice, and standing armies. Human governments are not the domain of forgiveness and compassion. They are the sphere of justice and force.

This used to be understood in Western society. We do not allow people to avenge their crimes–that is the role of government. We do not believe in vigilantism. That’s is the state’s responsibility. Our government is tasked with providing police, protecting our borders, and sending our troops to protect our national interests.

In the past fifty years, this correct understanding of government has become muddled as western states have become cradle-to-grave welfare societies where instead of simply protecting the people (the proper domain of government), they’ve taken over the functions of other domains by providing for every type of human need.

Stepping out of your domain is tyranny. It also messes up the actions of the other spheres. Government leaders are not called by God to be compassionate and “make friends” with the world. Their role is to protect, fight for, defend our people–in other words, to be strong in the face of evil.

This is the four-year error of the Obama administration. Governments do not bring peace through weakness or conciliation. As Ronald Reagan taught us, governments create peace through strength (the righteous use of force).

One reason the Islamic world is currently raging is that this administration has projected weakness to the world–both economically and in foreign policy. Evil doesn’t smile at weakness–it tries to cut off your head. How can evil be brought back into line? Through wise use of strength and force (justice) that is greater than its own.

The American government is truly missing George W Bush these days. For all his faults, he was a strong leader who commanded respect in the world through not tolerating evil. That’s government’s role–their domain. Our current president doesn’t understand that. We need a different kind of leader to put out the fires  by staring down the jihadists with a wise use of force.

Needed government response: Vote once again for leaders who believe in peace through strength.

Prayer Domain

Bill O’Reilly kept asking his guests, “Why are radical Muslims–their culture–so reactionary, violent, and murderous?” He continued, “When Al-Jezeera puts out commentaries that defame or make fun of Christ, we don’t storm the Arab embassies and murder their diplomats. We may protest or boycott, but we believe in free speech and not in mob violence and rule.”

So why is the jihadist world different?

One reason is the invisible demonic domain that is active throughout the earth. Satan was a murderer from the beginning, and his demons love nothing more than to hurt and destroy human beings (John 8:44). Cultures that do not embrace the love and forgiveness of God lay themselves wide open for the venom of demons in their social veins. Without godly self-control, they feel little conscience toward rioting, killing, or raping the innocent.

Anarchy is simply Satan unleashed in human beings. There is no better explanation than that for what is taking place right now all over the world. You are looking at human crowds that are being stirred up by devils. A spiritual reaction is required by a spiritual problem.

Needed prayer response: Dust off the Frank Peretti books and give yourself to fervent intercession against the demonic powers.

Individual Domain

This realm often requires a very different response for those who have been victims of evil, like the families of those killed on 9-11, or more recently, the loved ones connected with Ambassador Stevens and the others murdered in Libya.

But Jesus was very clear in the Sermon on the Mount how individuals–not nations–are to respond to evil. We are to turn the other cheek, walk the extra mile, and even pray for those who are persecuting us (Matthew 5:38-48).

Why? Shouldn’t we retaliate–blow off their heads?

No, that’s the government’s job–and they can do it better and impersonally with fairness and justice. Jesus doesn’t let us take violence into our personal hands because we end up becoming like those who hurt us.

Revenge destroys. It eats us up and ruins the gracious image of God in us. So when you see human injustice on the television screen, or experience it personally in your heart, don’t become like those who violated you. Support the government to bring evil-doers to justice. That’s not your domain.

Needed individual response: “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).

Church Domain

Finally, there is the domain of the Church that we must consider. We said that governments must work for justice through strength, intercessors must pray that Christ would bind the spiritual powers who enflame mob behavior, and, as individuals, we are to love and forgive those who would hurt us.

But there is one other vital domain that has a role in combatting global jihad–the Church of Jesus Christ. Mistakenly, we took on the role of “government” during the Medieval Crusades and fought the Muslims sword to sword. That was a huge mistake.

The Church must be the arm of compassion among the suffering masses of the Muslim world, and also a gentle voice of conversion to Jesus as Savior and Lord. There are over one billion Muslims in the world today because we have not adequately shared Christ’s Good News with them. They are the least unevangelized peoples on earth. Many have never heard of the God who died for their sins.

Throughout history, when the Church failed to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth, God used world events to bring the unsaved to them. The Vikings were allowed to conquer Europe because Christians of the era failed to go to the north to evangelize them.

So God brought them down from the north! Through this exchange, many became Christians and to this day, Scandinavia is a region that has known the ways of the Prince of Peace.

Is God using global jihad to get our attention? Have we failed to go, failed to pray for the largest unreached group of people on earth?

The riots indicate yes. If we don’t go to them (in mercy), they are coming to us (in judgment).

Needed Church response: Pray for the Islamic nations. Support missionaries who labor there. Go yourself as God leads and empowers.

And don’t forget the domains of life.

The ones you occupy determine everything you do.

 

 

 

 

Today as we prayerfully remember the unspeakable tragedy of 9-11, I am reminded that one of the strategies of the satanic world is get human beings to use words in manipulative ways to cover up the reality of destruction.

As the doomed planes were bearing down on Twin Towers in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the ground near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the hijackers purportedly shouted out “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great).

These words sounded lofty and good, but they really meant “You are about to die!”

This deceptive demonic strategy continues in many forms. Especially during this political season, we must ask God for discernment when we hear certain “words.” To the casual ear they may sound helpful and right.

But they are really code words for destruction.

Of course, the tactic of saying one thing while meaning another goes all the way back to the beginning of time.

The serpent in the Garden of Eden used a clever verbal smokescreen to deceive Adam & Eve. He deliberately lied to them, saying, “Did God actually say ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?’ and then assured them that if they did eat of the fruit, “You will not surely die” (Genesis 3:1,4).

It was a lie. When they disobeyed, they immediately experienced “death” (spiritual separation from God), and eventually that led to physical death which was a consequence of their transgression.

They had been fooled by words that sounded right and pleasant. They had failed to comprehend their true meaning. Thus the words were simply code words for their own destruction.

There are many code words in the current political debate. I will highlight a few of them and pray that God would lift the veil from many eyes.

Choice

This word was heard scores of times at a recent political convention. Many speakers, most of them women, applauded the concept of “choice” as “reproductive freedom,” “a woman’s right to choose” and many other positive spins.

Of course, the word “choice” is a decent word in itself. God uses it frequently in the Scriptures. In Deuteronomy 30:19, he tells us, “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!”

So God believes in choice. But, of course, in the Deuteronomy passage, the choice is “life.”

In a recent political convention it was exactly the opposite.

It’s amazing to me how “choice” has become some kind of virtuous code word for abortion. We believe in “choice, choice, choice” as if there’s something noble in choosing itself. However, there’s no morality in the idea of choice. The morality comes over what you choose.

So what are the feminists celebrating when they champion choice? I’m a straightforward guy and like to ask simple questions. What are they choosing? The honest answer is “I’m choosing an abortion.” Going a little further, with greater honesty, we might ask, “What actually happens in the choice to abort?” The truthful answer is, “I kill my baby.”

So choice is really death. I’m choosing to kill my own child (for a variety of personal reasons).

Here’s the bottom line of the abortion debate: You’re either pro-life (letting your child be born and live) or you’re pro-death (willing to kill your own offspring for almost any reason). That’s the true way to frame the argument. You are not pro-choice–which is a verbal hoax. You are pro-killing innocent babies.

Remember that the next time you hear the “choice” mantra.

Choice is a code word for destroying defenseless human beings.

Entitled

This is a word that is also being used extensively today, and the discussion will continue because it is a huge problem in United States and the Western world. We have been taught by our governments that we are “entitled” to certain monies for Social Security, Medicare, disabilities, food stamps, or other government benefits.

Another way of stating this is that you “deserve” something from the state.

Some of this is proper. In the case of Social Security, most people have contributed to a fund where, if the government was honest, the money should have been invested, caused a good return, and should be given back to the worker in their latter years of life.

So, for example, if you paid $200,000 in SS taxes over a lifetime, and it was invested properly, then you deserve to receive that amount plus interest when you retire.

But it is mostly a charade, and at the least, an abysmally-run program. The money you gave to the government was never invested, and it didn’t create a return. Besides, Social Security was designed to help people who retired at age 65 and died around age 71–not for people are living into their eighties and nineties.

So this poorly managed Ponzi scheme is forcing the younger generations to pay for the unrealistic promises that were made to the greatest generation. But there are not enough workers to do so, and the program is growing broke.

And we are building our “new society” on this kind of reasoning. In truth, the only thing that human beings are entitled to is to be separated from God because of our sins. That’s what we really deserve--not money and benefits for life.

Some human entitlements are appropriate. Many are not. Overall, the code word of “entitled” does three things to a society: It destroys human dignity, it kills personal incentive, and if it is not changed and re-defined, it destroys government budgets. Think Europe–and next–the United States.

Love

This has probably been the most satanically-manipulated word of all time. One example is the teenager who says he “loves” his girfriend as a prelude to asking her for sex. In this case, love is simply raging hormones that want to be satisfied by lust.

In the current cultural climate the most common mis-use of the word “love” relates to the secular promotion of homosexual marriage. This tactic was in full force at the recent political convention–even by the president of  the United States. He and others boldly stated: “You should be able to marry who you love.”

Sounds so good–but is really so bad. Humans beings have learned from revelation and experience over five thousand years that children need a mom and dad, and that having sex with “whoever you love” destroys the gene pool (incest), tears apart families (adultery), brings hurt and disease to singles (fornication), causes gender confusion (homosexuality), and brings man down to the level of animals (bestiality).

You can “love” anyone you want–but you can’t or shouldn’t have sex with them. The sexual prohibitions are there to help people not hurt them. Love is truly defined as “doing what’s best for another person from God’s perspective.” So the consummation of sexual love should only be between a married man and woman who can create children and protect and nurture them via their union.

The modern code word of “love” will further destroy the family–and many individuals along the way.

Investing -Fairness

Two other code words being thrown around in the political arena are the words “investing” in the future and being “fair” when it comes to taxes.

I think you get the political hoax of “investing.” It’s a clever political term for raising your taxes. Sounds like you’re loaning your money to the government and will get a return for it. No, they just want to tax you more for their own purposes. Because governments face no competition and easily become bloated, they are very poor at investing money, but very good spending and wasting it.

Hence the need for smaller government–not more “investments in the future.”

Tax “fairness” is the other word game. We are told endlessly by somethat the rich don’t pay their fair share in taxes and that they should pay more. And more. And more.

However, politifact.com tells us that the top 5% in America pay 57% of all federal income taxes, the wealthiest 25% pay 86% of the same, and 49% of Americans pay none at all.

Does that seem fair? It’s more than fair. “Taxing the rich” is simply a class warfare mechanism to grow the size of government.

“Investing” and being “fair” are modern-day code words for growing tyranny and destroying jobs.

Forward

President Obama is using the word “Forward” as the overarching slogan of his 2012 campaign. the word implies progress, goodness, prosperity, moving in the correct direction.

But I submit to you that this slogan is also a code word of the 2012 election cycle. In 2012, taking further steps in the current direction will take us off a social and economic cliff from which there may be no return.

The following video called “Words Matter” is quite an eye-opener.

My friends in America and the Western world: Don’t be fooled by the code words of destruction.

Listen carefully.

Search for the real meaning.

And discern and live for the truth in every area of your life.