Tag: government

Is Government Our God?

by Jan Grace • February 11, 2016

Have we, the citizens of the United States, transferred the trust we once had in God over to our president and government?

To hear the politicians’ spiels, and the comments of many people throughout social media land, I’d have to say yes. I’m just wondering when the national motto will be altered to reflect the change. It should read, “In Government We Trust”.

It’s really a shame; and an indicator of the true character of our nation.

The truth once known by many, “For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding ‘Yes!’…”(2 Corinthians 1:20 NLT), has been replaced with, “All the presidential candidates’ promises are fulfilled in their party, with a resounding, ‘You’ve got my vote’, by us.”

“Jan, aren’t you being a little judgmental?” No, because whenever I hear men and women name the Name of Christ in one breath, but carry on for their candidate as if they were God incarnate with the next, I’d say we have a problem.

And why is it easier for people to believe the promises their candidate makes, than believing God’s inherent word?

Like I said, it’s a shame.

In the eyes of many, the role of the president is that of God. “Provide for me, give me what I want, make me comfortable, solve all my problems without it costing me any time, money, or sweat equity.”

We’ve taken the Oval Office and turned it into the throne room of God, and relegated our religious activity to nothing more than an ancient talisman. When problems come, such as 9/11, we dig out our sacred amulet from its dusty footlocker which had been buried in the attic under boxes packed with mothballs and old clothes we haven’t worn in thirty years, and wave it back and forth while we lift the appropriate incantations heavenward. Once the crisis is over, it’s business as usual.

Back to the attic.

A crying shame.

I know I’ve shared part of this message before, but I believe it bears repeating. Our president, cabinet, politicians, and ALL those running FOR public office (whether for the presidency or a local school board) are not omniscient, omnipotent, or omnipresent. They are mere human beings who want to be elected. They want our vote. So they say what we want to hear.

I’ll even go so far as to say I think every candidate sincerely believes they know what’s best for our country. Perhaps they do. But mark it down lest you forget, they are only human.

They may deserve our vote, but they are NOT worthy of our faith, dedication, or total allegiance. They are NOT God.

Think about some of the promises these folks are making; especially those running for POTUS. Listening to them makes me wish I had a little dog named Toto, and could send him back behind the curtain during a campaign speech.

“Pay no attention to the man (or woman) behind the curtain”, the imposter would instruct us. “Listen to the voice of your leader.”

But the majority would blame the dog, and the dog’s owner for not playing fair, and for being judgmental.

“Don’t interrupt our savior! Their voice isn’t the voice of a man or woman; it’s the very voice of God!”

Someone please ask Herod how well that turned out for him.

Would you like some interesting reading? Go to this link and read what the Constitution says are the duties of our President.

POTUS Job Description

Note, there isn’t one word about making sure the people are fat and happy. Nor will you find a smorgasbord of freebies listed. Sorry.

Nothing about free lunches, free college, or free healthcare.

Not a word about policing the world, either.

One of these days every one of us will stand face to face with God Almighty. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The One Who gave His Son so that every person on this planet; Jews, Arabs, Communists, Socialists, Democrats, Republicans, Atheists, Buddhists, and anyone else could have eternal life.

We will stand before Him as He looks into the Lamb’s Book of Life; looking to see if our name is listed. Those who’s name has been entered will be ushered into the glories of Heaven, where they’ll forever be with the Lord. Those who’s name is absent from the Book will be escorted to the lake of fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels. (Note-John 1:12; Romans 10:9-10, and 1 John 5:11-13 will point you in the right direction for making sure your name is listed)

God has proven, by the resurrection of Christ Jesus, that He alone is God and can be trusted.

How about you and I remembering that, while the politicians may be wonderful, they aren’t God.

Okay?

It will help us AND our nation.

We Must Have The Truth

by Jan Grace • January 28, 2016

Yesterday, as I turned on my iPhone, I got a CNN notification which read something like this: “Oregon standoff leader Ammon Bundy and others arrested, and one person killed in gun battle.”

So, naturally, I tapped the link and read the articles.

And others. And yet, more articles. Some by Fox News; you know, the “We report, you decide” people.

Then, I went to the Bundy Ranch Facebook Page. Maybe I’m too naive, but there I found a completely different story.

What am I to believe? And is it important for me to know the real truth? If so, why?

What does it matter to the rest of the nation what goes on in the little Oregon town of John Day? I mean, really. With a population of less than 2,000, why would anyone care?

And why should anyone care about the struggles of the Bundy family, the Hammonds, or even Robert “LaVoy” Finicum, the man who was killed in the alleged gun battle?

Maybe for one reason.

Truth.

Truth. What REALLY happened?

Why is truth so important?

Because truth is the foundation of any relationship. Relationships require trust, and trust must have truth.

Among the many things which have been changing over the past 20-30 years, or should I say decaying over time, the most important one is trust.

People don’t trust the government. A LOT of people don’t trust the government. Why? Because they don’t believe the government is telling them the truth.

Pick a subject.

Now mind you, I am NOT one of your conspiracy nuts, believing the United States Government was behind the JFK assassination, or the bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City. I don’t think Bush was behind the 9/11 attacks either.

But I’ve seen and heard enough to make me wonder, “What’s really going on behind closed doors?”

Do you remember Ruby Ridge? How about Waco, Texas?

And, even more recently, the Fast and Furious gun running debacle. Oh, and I heard drug kingpin El Chapo, after he was recaptured just the other day, had one of the Fast and Furious 50 caliber rifles at his hideout.

Maybe it’s true, maybe not.

But it only serves to reinforce my question, “What is the truth?”

Is it too much to ask? Maybe we can’t handle the truth. If that’s the case, maybe the government of the people, by the people, and for the people needs more than just a new leader.

Maybe it needs a major overhaul.

So, please, whoever reads this post, if you have anything to do with any level of government: federal, state, or local, would you please do just one thing?

It could be the beginning of a nationwide revival, if you would.

Would you please just simply tell the truth? Who knows, the American people may eventually begin to believe you.

(For a pretty detailed account of the Oregon occupation, check out this link)

Oregon Militia
I “think” it’s okay.

Civil Rebellion

by Jan Grace • July 25, 2015

One of my favorite movies is the first National Treasure, with Nicolas Cage. I don’t know how many times I’ve watched it. At least a dozen, I’m sure.

I especially like the part where Ben and Riley are looking at the Declaration of Independence, and Ben tells Riley he’s going to steal it.

Ben, reading from the Declaration… “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. –“

Sounds like revolution talk, doesn’t it?

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: this nation is a mess. And it appears the government is doing its very best to run every aspect of our lives, whether we like it or not.

So what’s this mean where you and I are concerned? Are we to start another revolution? To listen to some people, that’s exactly what we should do.

I’ve talked with people who say things like, “If the government wants my guns, just let them try and take them.” Really?

Mr. One Man Army, eh?

I know it may sound a bit like a cliche’, but I’ll say it anyway.

What would Jesus do?

If the Bible is true, and there are many of you readers who believe it is, then what do we do with scriptures such as:

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.” (Daniel 2:20-22 ESV)

“…to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.” (Daniel 4:17 ESV)

“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” (Daniel 4:37 ESV)

Should we ignore them?

And just in case you don’t care for the Old Testament scriptures, here are a couple from the New Testament:

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” (Romans 13:1-2 ESV)

“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.” (1 Peter 2:13-15 ESV)

Please keep in mind, when Paul and Peter wrote their letters to the churches, they weren’t saying the government or government officials were right. In fact, if they had been allowed by God to express their opinions about the leaders, they may have been tempted to say how bad things were, and how evil their government was.

As followers of Christ, I believe we have a responsibility to obey God first and foremost. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be patriotic, but the scriptures really don’t advocate patriotism.

Jesus said, “Give to Caesar what belongs to him, and to God that which belongs to Him.” That, in a nutshell means we are to obey the laws of the land, unless they contradict God’s laws.

Should we riot, or take part in a revolution with AR-15’s and the like?

I say no.

What we ARE to do I’ll refer to as CIVIL REBELLION.

Rebel against the world’s spirit and systems. Rebel against living like every other Tom, Dick, and Harry who complains about the president and every other politician who doesn’t agree with them.

Listen, there are a lot of things happening I don’t like, but I’ve got to rebel against the urge to waste my time moaning with people who, like me, haven’t the slightest idea what it would really take to turn things around.

Civil Rebellion.

Rebel against letting the world and its opinions squeeze you into its mold.

Vote for candidates who align best with the scriptures. As long as we can vote, we have somewhat of a say.

Pray for the leaders. Maybe, just maybe, God can reach their hearts and minds.

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” (Proverbs 21:1 NKJV)

Of course, and this may be hard to take, you and I COULD BE ignorant about what’s best for the country. Maybe, huh?

If we say we’re Christ followers, let’s follow Christ. To the polls, to the prayer closet, all the way to CIVIL REBELLION.

It’s best for the nation and for the kingdom of God.

And it’s best for you and I.

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1 – 2:4 ESV)

You Have Free Speech!

by Jan Grace • December 19, 2013

Free Speech. THE HOTTEST TOPIC in quite awhile.

But speech has always been free! Sure, there may be consequences from what is said, but anyone and everyone can freely say what they want.

Phil Robertson said what he wanted to say, in regards to homosexuality and sin in general. No one put a gun to his head before or after he spoke. Sure, he lost his job. He’d probably rather duck hunt, anyway. But he freely said what he wanted to say. And I applaud him.

I understand the First Amendment is part of our United States of America’s Bill of Rights. It gives each and every American the right to free speech. But the government can’t give you what God has already given every human being. They also can’t take away something they couldn’t give in the first place.

Free speech, like it or not, doesn’t mean people can say what they want without the risk of consequences.

Believe it or not, not everyone is going to love what you have to say!

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