It's Time to Make a Stand

 It’s Time to Make a Stand

I have, at times, been accused of being too political. Years ago, I chose not to waste my time responding to my critics. I do, however, believe the body of Christ desperately needs a greater understanding of our need to be involved in the governmental process. With that in mind, I want to share a few thoughts regarding this, then comment further on the Biden administration.

I define government simply as the authority to rule or manage a people, entity or organization. This could be a home, business, church, or nation. Politics is the process used to determine who is to implement governmental authority in some of these arenas. In America, this function (government) and process (politics) determine our freedoms, national values, safety and more. This being the case, wisdom, common sense, and responsibility demand high levels of informed involvement on the part of all American citizens. Even more so since our government continues to expand its influence. It now believes it has the right to determine:

• when life begins - and when it can be ended
• what and who defines gender
• who defines marriage
• what is and is not immoral
• when churches can gather to worship...and what can be taught while there
• whom churches and ministries have to hire
• how much government will tax us, and that they have the right to spend our tax dollars on abortions and buying the aborted babies’ body parts used for research
• what our children will be taught about life, morals, sex, gender, America’s history and more
• what we can say and not say
• what part of the Constitution they will honor
• and the list goes on.

In light of this, if you are not passionate about our U.S. and local governments, I can only wonder why. No American who does not involve himself or herself - actively and diligently - in the process of determining who gets to make decisions such as those above has ANY right to complain about what is decided. Personally, I also believe they are complicit in the evil generated by their lack of involvement.

Obviously, it is possible to operate in an inappropriate “political spirit.” (I am referring to an “attitude” of the mind and heart, much like a critical spirit. I believe demons do involve themselves in government, but this is not what I am referencing here.) When one blindly supports a political party, or uses the political process simply to gain power and control, they are operating in what many refer to as a political spirit. Being passionate about or actively engaged in who rules governmentally is certainly not inappropriate or operating in a political spirit, however.

I am unashamedly passionate about government, while guarding against a political spirit. I vote, support and fight for biblical values; I do not fight for a political party. As Joshua discovered when confronted by the Captain of the Lord’s host (Joshua 5:13-15), the appropriate question is not whose side God (the Captain) is on. The correct question was then and is now, “Who is on the Lord’s side?” He doesn’t choose sides, we do. Yes, God does fight for those covenantally aligned with Him, and supports those aligned with His truth and virtues, but He is not “politically” motivated. He is truth and justice motivated.

God’s intent is that ALL government, at every level - from a home to a nation - flows from Him and is based on His principles. Holy Spirit clearly spoke to me several years ago saying, “I’m going to teach you about government from a biblical perspective,” He continued, “I not only believe in the function of government, I AM government.” He then took me to Isaiah 33:22, which states that God is our “Lawgiver...Judge...and King.” Our government, with its 3 branches, was formed with this verse in mind. Our Founders intended for America's government to function under God’s authority. Many of them were pastors. They did not see government or their role in it as extra-biblical, a distraction from their “true” calling, or as being “too political.” Pastors were actually some of the leading voices for independence from Britain’s evil government - from their pulpits. These spiritual leaders would have been incensed and offended at the accusation that their involvement in the process was unbiblical. I concur.

This expression of authority we call government is one of God’s primary means of releasing His justice, peace and righteousness into the earth. It brings freedom, safety and order; without it there is anarchy and injustice. To separate government from God is to, by default, hand over rule to satan. He then influences humans to pervert God’s intent, using government to promote personal and selfish agendas, to oppress and control. These evils are to government what the spirit of religion is to relationship with God. Both are perversions of what He desired and established in Genesis: relationship with us as His family and Spirit-led management/government of creation (Genesis 1:26-28). We are to now bring His redemption into these two arenas, not abandon them. We should train ourselves to differentiate between government and inappropriate control, including a political spirit. If we do so, we can begin to think of the concept of government as good.

Having explained my position, I now want to comment on our current U.S. government. We must ask - not from a biased, political perspective but based on facts - is the Biden administration against the Bible and the church? You decide. Last month, Christians Engaged, a Garland, TX prayer group, which exists to pray and educate believers on their belief in the Bible as the inerrant Word of God, was denied tax exempt status by the IRS. The reason, in their own words: “Specifically, you educate Christians on what the Bible says in areas where they can be instrumental, including the areas of sanctity of life, the definition of marriage, biblical justice, freedom of speech, defense, and borders and immigration, U.S. and Israel relations.” 1

You might want to read that again.

The IRS continued, “The Bible’s teachings are typically affiliated with the D party and their candidates. This disqualifies you from exemption under IRS Section 501(C)(3).” (2) The “D party” is their code name for the Republican party. Did you catch that? The IRS stated that the Bible is more aligned with the Republican party and, therefore, disqualifies those who teach it for tax-exempt status.

First Liberty Institute counsel Lea Patterson said, “The IRS states in an official letter that Biblical values are exclusively Republican. That might be news to President Joe Biden, who is often described as basing his political ideology on his religious beliefs...Only a politicized IRS could see Americans who pray for their nation, vote in every election, and work to engage others in the political process as a threat. The IRS violated its own regulations in denying tax-exempt status [to] Christians Engaged [for teaching] biblical values.” 3

Only the most naive and deceived could fail to see the total determination of the Left, including those in government, to oppose the teachings of the Bible and silence Christians. It is past time for the church to wake up. From rewriting America’s biblical, Christian history, to intimidation by law enforcement, frivolous lawsuits and IRS attacks, one would have to be blind not to see the vicious attempt to silence us. The frog in the kettle - the church - had better wake up and jump!

The Epoch Times reminds us that, “The IRS under Obama singled out hundreds of conservative, Tea Party, and evangelical tax-exemption applicants for special treatment that included long delays and multiple requests for detailed information about the beliefs and activities of officials associated with the groups.

“Multiple lawsuits were filed against the IRS by such groups, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) agreed in two separate settlements to compensate them for undisclosed amounts.

“The DOJ also acknowledged(4) that the IRS had targeted the groups on the basis of their political and religious activities and beliefs for ‘heightened scrutiny and inordinate delays.’” 5

It is time to wake up, church. It’s time to make a stand, get involved and, most certainly, it is time to pray.

Pray with me:

Father, we thank You for this great nation. [Those of you in other nations, pray for yours.] We thank You for our freedoms and the abundant blessings we enjoy. We also thank You for the system of government we have. I believe You gave us this system of government and our Constitution.

We are in danger of losing much of this. However, we believe You are going to turn this around. We ask You to intervene in America‘s government - strongly. We ask for complete exposure of evil agendas and intentions, and that Your light will be shed on the darkness. We ask for the removal of those who oppose Your ways and principles. Give us honest leaders, righteous leaders and servant leaders. Give us leaders who honor You, the scriptures and Your ways. We know that in order to give us these leaders, it will require an awakening of Your people. We vote them in, You don’t.

Please give us this awakening. Awaken the church to her responsibility of involvement in government and prayer. Break off all deception that says believers should not be involved in government, that they should not be active and passionate about it, and that government is evil. Reveal to them that You ARE government and that You blessed us with the principle of government; reveal that we should passionately involve ourselves in it at a national level, just as we do in governing our homes. Amen.

Our decree:

We decree that the church will not be silenced and that she is awakening to her role in representing the government of God on the earth.

Copyright © 2021 Dutch Sheets Ministries, All rights reserved.

A Little-Understood Truth

 Today, April 30, is America’s National Day of Repentance. Our National Day of Prayer is May 6. Most Christians have not heard of our National Day of Repentance. In order to participate at an effective level we need to better understand this important subject. 

Biblical repentance is really a threefold process, defined by three New Testament Greek words. All are important and must be included in the process; and Holy Spirit must be involved in all of these phases. They are:

• Metamellomai – sorrow, regret, remorse
• Metanoia – a change of mind and heart; thinking differently; a new understanding; afterthought
• Epistrepho – turn; convert; go a different direction

Sorrow, regret or remorse are part of the repentance process, but do not complete it. One can be sorry for his or her sins and not fully repent, in which case, there is no forgiveness and salvation. Judas was “sorry” he betrayed Jesus (Matthew 27:3); he did not, however, find true repentance. Being sorry for/convicted of one’s actions can, however, lead to repentance (2 Corinthians 7: 9-10), in which case it is an important part of the process. The sorrow is a result of Holy Spirit, through our conscience, revealing our sin to us. This is important but, alone, is not enough. 

The second word, metanoia, is the word actually translated as repentance. It does not mean “turn and go in another direction,” as most Christians have been taught. It is, however, part of the process that creates the turning. The problem with this erroneous definition is that in oversimplifying it, part of what is necessary to the process is left out. Biblical repentance is not just of the mind; it is not simply changing the way one thinks in the brain. Biblical repentance is also a change of heart. To limit it to the mind or emotions removes the spiritual application, connection, and power.

The fact that it involves the heart means Holy Spirit has to be involved. He must bring conviction and recognition of sin, at the heart level (not just emotions), caused by what the Scriptures refer to as “lifting the veil” (2 Corinthians 4: 3-4). The biblical word for this lifting of the veil is “revelation”. (Greek: apokalupsis. Apo: “lift, remove, uncover;” kalupsis: “veil, covering, hidden”). 

I don’t want to bore or overwhelm you with technical definitions and Greek words, but this understanding is crucial. Without this unveiling, repentance is only of the mind and emotions. And until this revelation from Holy Spirit is received at a heart level there is no spiritual power released to bring forgiveness and create transformation; only mental power. 

The revelation Holy Spirit brings in the process also includes Christ’s solution: the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. This, too, is seen by revelation. Second Corinthians 4:4 says the god of this world blinds the unbelieving to “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” The lifting of the veil is needed, not only so we can see our own condition, but see God’s provision.

Charles Finney, the great evangelist of the second great awakening, would sometimes preach in a location for 1-2 weeks before he would give his first altar call. In his meetings, he was known to have had grown men run to the altar weeping, and him tell them, “Please sir, go back to your seat, you are not ready yet.” 

Astounding! Yet, Finney knew that until the remorse or sorrow for sin was deep enough, until revelation of their need had reached the heart level, and until revelation of God’s provision had produced true faith, there would not be sufficient power to transform. In his meetings, which saw hundreds of thousands of people saved, Finney had a 97% rate of true conversion – in other words, of those who became active, long term, followers of Christ. In our evangelism today, with its weak and watered down message, our rate of true conversion is around 5%. For every 100 people who pray the sinner’s prayer, only 5 of them become true believers! 

The third part of the repentance process is the turning (epistrepho). When the first two aspects are fully accomplished, we can “turn” – from our hearts. There is now power, resulting from Holy Spirit’s revelation, to walk out the decision. And this change of mind and heart will now result in different actions. The faith and commitment professed will no longer be “without works” (James 2:26). 

I am giving this teaching so we can pray for unbelievers and for our nation with true understanding. We must ask God to convict of sin; to reveal the depth of our depravity, our need, our deception. We must ask for the blindness to be removed from the heart – for the veil to lift – bringing true revelation.

Why can’t many unbelievers, and even some Christians, understand the heinous nature of abortion…of killing babies in the womb and even selling their body parts? Why do fathers abandon their children? Why do people rape, murder, steal? Why is there such violence in our nation? Because a veil covers their hearts, causing them to not see clearly. We must ask for this veil to be lifted, praying for the breaking of their hearts over sin and it’s devastation.

Then, we must ask for the spirit of revelation to be released over America. A rending of the heavens, a lifting of the veil at a national level, the very atmosphere charged with Holy Spirit power and influence. This produces revival! America must see her need . . .and God’s provision. Then the turning will come.

And it WILL come!

Pray with me:

Father, thank You for raising up this nation to be a light, a city on a hill, trumpeting the gospel of the kingdom to the ends of the earth. Though we have strayed from our purpose and destiny, You have not. You intend to resurrect it, and allow us to participate in the great billion soul harvest.

As we pray for America today, we focus on repentance. We ask You to reveal to us our great need for You. We ask that You break our hearts over our sin and rebellion, for the babies, sex trafficking, for those confused about their identities. Break our hearts over our self-sufficiency, even the pride, arrogance, and rebellion toward You. Break our hearts in the church over our lukewarm condition and compromise.

And Father, we ask You to send an explosive revelation into our nation regarding Jesus. Reveal Your love and grace that was demonstrated at the Cross, and the power released in the resurrection of Christ. Bring revelation of Your great redemption, Your healing power, and Your unconditional love for humanity.

And Father, we ask You for the great turning – turning to You; turning from our way to Your way; turning from sin to righteousness; turning from death to life; turning from selfishness to selflessness and love. We know this is coming quickly and we thank You for it. You are good, kind, and faithful. We declare and ask for these things in Christ’s holy name, amen.

Our decree:

We declare that the spirit of revelation, bringing repentance, is coming to America.

Too Much Strife?

"Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor." ( James 3:17-18)

Want to have a peaceful day? Don't stir up strife. Don't speak harshly to co-workers, or customers. Speak the peace of God over your workplace, your home, even your car. Go out of your way to be an instrument of peace!

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Romans 12:18)

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