Category: Current Events

by: Dr. Allen Domelle

It seems like every election cycle we hear that this is the most important election of our lifetime. This election cycle is no different. However, I do believe this is the most important election of my lifetime because so much is at stake for the future of our country and our religious freedoms.

What troubles me is how many Christians have declared that they are not going to vote because they feel they don’t have a choice. My response to these Christians, as sincere as they are, is that you do have a choice. Your choice may not be what you desire, but you still have a clear choice. You can vote for someone who is morally and criminally corrupt and has made it clear that they are going to limit our religious freedoms, or you can vote for someone who definitely has moral baggage, but they have vowed to be sure that our Christian liberties will be protected.

Deuteronomy 30:19 says, “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” I believe this election is truly about life and death.

It is about the life of little babies in their mother’s womb. You can vote for Hillary who is willing to kill a baby, even at 9-months pregnancy, or you can vote for Trump who has vowed to protect the life of unborn babies.

This election is about whether our “seed” will have the same freedoms we hold dear, or whether they will be forced to silence because of the balance of power which is at stake in our Supreme Court. I firmly believe that this could be the most important aspect of this election. Hillary has vowed to appoint justices who will further the leftist, progressive, socialist and anti-God agenda; whereas, Trump has already given a list of justices he would appoint, all who are strict Constitutionalist who don’t believe that they have a right to change what was given to us by our forefathers.

The three reasons I am voting for a major candidate are simple.

First, Trump is the candidate who holds closest to what I believe.

He certainly isn’t a good Christian, but please name me one good Christian who has held the office of the presidency in our lifetime. The idea that we won’t vote because the candidate isn’t a Christian is absurd. If that is your position, may I kindly suggest you stop doing business with anyone who isn’t a Christian. You can say you have to live with your conscience, but you better check your conscience because I’m positive you voluntarily do business with people or organizations who don’t hold to your beliefs.

Second, a vote for a third-party candidate is a vote for corrupt Hillary.

I don’t care how you put it; not voting is voting. Every time there is a major third-party candidate, they pull votes away from the candidate who does hold a chance of being elected. We saw Bill Clinton get elected because of Ross Perot. Sadly, we are still paying for this with a Hillary Clinton candidacy. The only thing you are doing by voting for a third-party is assuring that the most corrupt candidate in American history will be elected.

Third, I’m not voting for a pastor, but for a president.

I know this will get some people upset with me, but I’m tired of Christians sitting out because there are no candidates who strictly hold their so-called Christian convictions. I say so-called because these same people will eat at restaurants that serve alcohol, shop at stores that give money to organizations that don’t hold their Christian convictions, watch sports teams that promote unChristian values, and they probably watch television networks that clearly hold positions that are against just about everything they believe in. (I could go on.)

The same people who use their “moral conscience” as their excuse wouldn’t have voted for Ronald Reagan either if they used the same arguments they now hold. (Oh, I forgot, they do think he was one of the greatest presidents.) Before you cast stones at me, you might want to check Reagan’s record as a California governor. You might find that he signed legislation that promoted abortion, which he later regretted. You will also find that he was divorced, cursed, drank alcohol, and was also a part of the liberal Hollywood for many years. The difference now is that you are looking back and realizing that his direction moved right throughout the years, and may I say, so has Trump’s. No, Trump is no Reagan, and yes, Trump’s past is sinful, but at least he is moving in the right direction, even if it is a small movement.

Yes, I’m voting for a major candidate because I believe “rendering to Caesar” is a clear guide from our Saviour that I can fulfill my civic privileges and rights even if the one for whom I vote isn’t everything I believe the Scriptures says a person should be. Of course with the mindset that a candidate should be everything the Scriptures say, you couldn’t run for office either because nobody is everything a person should be, or is Romans 3:10 no longer in the Scriptures.

My friend, I beg you for the sake of your children and grandchildren not to sit out this election. Vote for the candidate who at least holds closest to what we believe. It may not be a great choice, but you still have a clear choice. If you choose to sit out, don’t complain when your religious rights are further limited or taken away. Always remember that not voting is a vote because it’s one less vote that could have helped the candidate who holds closest to what you believe from being elected.

by: Allen Domelle

I was preaching in Seattle, Washington, when my phone rang early in the morning. I picked up the phone and it was my wife on the line. As soon as I greeted her, she asked, “Did you see what happened in New York?” I had not turned on the television, so I asked what happened. She said, “Apparently a plane was hijacked and was flown into the World Trade Center building.”

I quickly turned on the television to see what was happening. I had barely turned on the television when I saw the second plane fly into the second World Trade Center building. I sat stunned! There was no mistake in my mind that this was a terrorist attack. As I continued to look at the news from these shocking events, I then saw the buildings collapse. Again, I was in shock! How could this have happened? Then I learned of another plane that terrorists crashed into the Pentagon. All I could do was sit in shock. Of course, over the next few hours the stories began to come out of all the tragedies that happened that day, and how some heroic passengers on another plane because they wouldn’t let the cowardly terrorists take their plane and use it as a weapon.

Here we are fifteen years later, and I wonder, have we forgot? Just in case, let me give you some statistics.

Deaths by Area of Attack

• World Trade Center – 2,606
• Airlines – 246
• Pentagon Building – 125

Total number who died in 9/11 were 2,977 (This number does not include the terrorists)

• Casualties in the World Trade Center and Surrounding Area Deaths
• Residents of New York – 1,762
• Persons in North Tower (Tower 1) – 1,402
• Persons in South Tower (Tower 2) – 614
• Residents of New Jersey – 674
• Employees of Marsh Inc. – 355
• Firefighters – 343
• Employees of Aon Corporation – 175
• Port Authority police officers – 37
• Police officers – 23
• Paramedics – 2
• 1 firefighter was killed by a man who jumped off the top floors

Casualties on the Airplanes

• American Airlines Flight 11 (North Tower) – 87
• United Airlines Flight 175 (South Tower) – 60
• American Airlines Flight 77 (Pentagon) – 59
• United Flight 93 (Shanksville, PA) – 40

Casualties inside the Pentagon

• Military and civilian deaths – 125

(Source: 9/11 Commission)

I fear that America has moved on so quickly that we forgot each of these numbers represents a soul. Each person had a dad and a mom who they left behind. Many of these people were either a husband or a wife. These people left behind a spouse and children, parents and siblings, friends and neighbors, work partners and fellow Americans. These people were not Republican or Democrat, THEY WERE AMERICANS! Sure, they were affiliated politically, but beyond their political affiliation they were red-blooded Americans that cowardly terrorists, who hide behind their turbans and masks, took airplanes and used them as missiles to kill thousands of innocent people and leaving behind many brokenhearted people.

I wonder, have those in Washington D.C. forgot what happened on that treacherous day that changed America forever? Have they forgot, as judges rule God out of our country? Have they forgot, as Senators, Congressmen and Congresswomen continually vote and take the freedoms of Americans away? Have the city council members in our country forgot what happened on that day as they legislate rules against Christians who stand by the principles of the Word of God?

Let me bring this a step further. Have American citizens forgot what happened on that ominous day? On that day we had national prayer, and churches were packed with American citizens looking to God for answers. Yet today, churches are empty and sports stadiums are filled. Where every ballgame started with the song, “God Bless America,” now we have become an apathetic people who continue to push God out of their lives and country. Have we forgot as we accept a terrorist Islamic religion and say that they really don’t hate America? REALLY? If that is the case, then why are they killing Christians in the countries they control. Make no mistake, if the Muslims get what they want in America, Christians will be martyred here as well.

Let me remind you that God says in Psalm 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” If America ever wants God’s blessings back, then she is going to have to get back to God. Christian, we can blame it on judges and politicians, but are you faithful to every church service? Are you involved in the outreach ministries of your church? The best way to remember those who are lost is to do what you can to bring God back into our country.

I challenge you today to take some time to remember. Remember what made America great was that she was founded upon Christian principles. Those Christian principles will only become part of America again if individuals make those principles an every day part of their lives. It is up to you as an individual. If you are going to truly remember those who lost their lives twelve years ago, then you must make God the LORD of your life again!

Allen Domelle is the editor of the Old Paths Journal which is more than just a Christian’s publication. It is an excellent place to learn how today’s headlines will forge tomorrow’s laws and statutes. Keep yourself in tune with what is happening around the world, as well as in your own backyard with our daily updates and devotionals.

by: Dr. Allen Domelle

Unless you have had your head in the sand, you have no doubt heard about the San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick’s choice to sit during the national anthem. His explanation for this act is strange considering his past. He said about his decision, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.”

This act and explanation have set off a firestorm across social networking and the news media. Many of his fans have burned his jersey, and he has only begun to see the impact this decision will bring on his life. The choice to brand himself as an American betrayer, and that is what he is, will follow him for many years to come.

For Kaepernick to say that the American flag has so oppressed black people, apparently he is referring to all the white people who gave him a chance in life. I guess he has forgotten about his white adoptive parents who raised him and made sure he had an opportunity to play football. Apparently, he forgot about the white people who drafted signed him to a $114 million dollar contract for his mediocre play. It is very apparent that he forgot about the white people who bought tickets to see him play and purchased jersey’s that benefit his finances.

Mr. Kaepernick must have forgotten about all those people who would love to have a chance to stand for the national anthem, but can’t because they gave their legs for his freedom to sit. I think of men like Tim Lee who sacrificially served our country and gave his legs in Vietnam for Kaepernick to have the freedom to disrespect the flag and our national anthem. I think of Pat Tillman who had more respect for his country than a paycheck from the NFL. Maybe Mr. Kaepernick ought to go to the grave of Pat Tillman and tell him how much America has oppressed him. If Mr. Kaepernick thinks America has oppressed him, then he ought to go to every mom and dad who lost their child in combat and tell them how oppressive America has been. If Mr. Kaepernick truly believes the American flag is a symbol of oppression, maybe he should talk to Brian Mast, the Republican candidate for Senate, who lost his legs defending the freedom of this great land.

Mr. Kaepernick’s sincerity is suspect. His skills as a quarterback are questionable, and this stunt may have saved him a few weeks of play instead of being cut. However, if Mr. Kaepernick is sincere about helping those who are “oppressed,” then I am sure he will quickly sell his fancy home and move to the ghetto’s and help those who are “oppressed.” Maybe out of concern for the “oppressed,” he will invite them to come live with him in his million dollar home. I am also sure he will give up most of his $114 million dollars to help the “oppressed” get out of their oppressive situation. Of course, he won’t do this because this is a branding political stunt that I believe he will regret for many years to come.

Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” The “good name” in the verse above is a branding. This verse is talking about for what you are going to be known. God says that having a “good name” or a good brand is a better choice than “great riches.” In other words, don’t let the desire for money motivate you to be branded with a bad name. The Kaepernick situation is a good teaching moment that should remind us of three things.

1. There are consequences to every action.

What you do today will often brand you for life. Galatians 6:7 says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” You can pick your actions like Mr. Kaepernick did, but you can’t choose your consequences. Sadly, you are always remembered for your last act. You will be known tomorrow by what you do today. You must be careful because you may never have a chance to rebrand yourself. This is why you must be careful with every action, because if today’s actions are your last chance to brand yourself, you must ask yourself if you are willing to live with their consequences. You may say that you made a youthful mistake, but often those youthful mistakes are the branding you carry for the rest of your life.

2. Be careful about branding yourself with emotional decisions.

Throughout the Scriptures and history, many men branded themselves in an emotional moment. Cain was branded as a murderer because of an emotional decision based on jealousy. Esau was branded as a man who gave up his birthright because his physical emotions got the best of him. Saul branded his life with jealousy and spite because of an emotional decision to destroy David. Judas was branded a traitor because of his emotional decision to turn on Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver. Benedict Arnold will forever be branded a traitor because of his emotional decision to turn on the American troops because of his disagreement with George Washington. Emotional decisions have branded many people; brands they were never able to outlive.

Proverbs 3:1 says, “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:” The best way to keep from allowing an emotional decision to brand you is to be guarded with your decisions. God teaches that your heart should be kept in check with His commandments. Most bad decisions can always be traced back to emotions. You may feel emotional about a situation, but you better be careful about involving yourself in something that will brand you. Once you’ve branded yourself, you will have a difficult time changing what you burnt into the minds of those you influenced with your actions. Instead of letting emotional decisions dictate your actions, allow principles to dictate what you do.

3. Don’t brand yourself differently from who you really are.

The psalmist says in Psalm16:6, “The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” Don’t destroy your heritage because of a foolish desire to brand yourself differently from whom God made you to be. Matthew 16:26 says, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Many people have changed their brand but lost the soul of who they were. God teaches that it is not worth it to “gain the whole world, and lose” your own soul.

Mr. Kaepernick may have successfully rebranded himself, but I’m afraid he lost the soul of who he was. He came into the league with a reputation of being a humble guy who worked hard, but will now always be branded as the guy who disrespected the thousands of people who gave their life and limbs for his freedom to sit during our national anthem. He was known as a guy who had white parents who adopted him and gave him a chance to make something with his life, but he will be branded as the guy who dishonored those parents with his foolish decision to sit for the “oppressed.”

My friend, you have one chance in life to brand yourself. Very few times do people get a chance to rebrand who they are. Be careful about branding yourself with a reputation that you will regret years down the road.

by: Dr. Allen Domelle

Judges 12:3
“And when I saw that ye delivered me not, I put my life in my hands, and passed over against the children of Ammon, and the LORD delivered them into my hand: wherefore then are ye come up unto me this day, to fight against me?”

The children of Israel were facing extinction. The Ammonites had come against Judah, Benjamin and Ephraim, and there seemed to be no deliverer. The children of Israel cried to the LORD in their distress, knowing that if God didn’t come through, they would be destroyed. It was desperate times for these people. They responded to the LORD’s word and set aside the idols and heathen worship, but there seemed to be no man who could deliver.

As is always the case, God always has a man to use in the time of need. In Isreal’s case, that man was Jephthah. What is interesting about Jephthah is that when he asked others to help him, nobody came to his side. Seeing the desperate need of his country and nobody willing to assist him, he said, “I put my life in my hands.” He realized that somebody needed to risk it all for the sake of his country. Somebody had to be willing to lay aside their dreams, career, personal goals and life for the sake of saving their country. No doubt, Jephthah was a patriot and a great man of faith.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Just like Israel faced extinction because of the enemy’s invasion, America is also facing desperate times that call for Christians everywhere to risk it all to save their nation. Our nation will never be saved while we wait for someone else to step in to save her. She will only be saved when the people of God are willing to set aside their ambitions, goals and dreams, and are willing to risk everything for the sake of bringing her back to God. Friend, America is not going to be saved through the political arena, she is going to be saved through God’s people stepping up and risking everything to bring her back.

Let me ask you, how much do you really love your country? Do you love her enough to risk your financial future to bring her back to God? Too many Christians are in love with the idea of riches and possessions that they will never make an impact to bring America back to God. America is in need of patriots who will risk their financial future to give their life to God.

Let me ask you, are you willing to risk your name for the sake of bringing America back to God? Jephthah wasn’t popular with his brethren, but he was willing to put his life on the line to save his nation. Let me warn you, you will not be popular in the Christian world if you choose to put your life on the line to save your nation. Too many people are concerned with fitting in with the “in-crowd” of Christianity when oftentimes God uses the misfits to save a nation. Your name will become mud to many, but for the sake of your country, it is worth you standing for the old paths and getting serious about saving your nation.

Let me ask you, are you willing to put your time on the line to pray for America? Oh friend, this nation will never be saved without the prayers of God’s people. When is the last time you prayed for America? When is the last time you fasted for God to change your nation? You are going to have to sacrifice your time for prayer if you want God to save your nation. Your nation will never be saved until someone like you is willing to risk it all and do whatever it takes to save her.

by: Dr. Allen Domelle

I love my country! I love the Constitution and the protection it has given us for over 200 years. I love her heritage and love for liberty. I love her beginning of being a nation founded upon the principles of God’s Word. I love that her founding fathers believed that rights were given by God and not by the government. I love America!

I love the bravery of her patriots to sacrifice their all for the sake of freedom. I love the willingness of her brave men and women to fight on foreign soil and shed their blood and give their limbs and life for the sake of freedom and liberty to reign. I love America!

I love her generosity and defense of the down and out. I love that she has been the one nation that, though hated, has always stood for the right of any people to experience freedom. I love her symbols of freedom from the Statue of Liberty to the Liberty Bell. I love the meaning of the stars and stripes on her flag. I love her songs of America the Beautiful and the Star Spangled Banner. I just love America!

As much as I love my country, I don’t love what my country is becoming. I don’t love her total disregard of God. I don’t love her political correctness and its damage to our security and freedom. I don’t love her embracement of the sodomite lifestyle and agenda. I don’t love her complete disregard for the protection of life in a mother’s womb. I don’t love her love for alcohol while ignoring the damages it brings to families and societal lawlessness. I don’t love her immoral behavior and the harm it brings to the home. I don’t love her attempt to push God out of our schools, government and society. I don’t love the embracement of ignorance among her youth. I love my country, but I don’t love what she had become.

I hate her greed and disdain for hard work. I hate her poor choices of reality stars, athletes and public figures as her role models. I hate the god status she has given to its greedy and selfish sports figures. I hate the news media’s total embrace of the socialistic, liberal agenda. I hate that her churches are empty and that her sports stadiums are full. I hate that our nation has perverted the colors of the rainbow to identify with an abominable sodomite sin. I hate that our nation has kicked the Scriptures out of our court houses and public schools. I hate that our nation has outlawed Christianity in our schools, but allows the hatred of Islam to be taught in public schools. I love America, but I don’t love what she has become.

Psalm 33:12 says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” I am one who believes that God has shed His grace upon this great country. However, I am also one who believes that the same God who was very present in the founding of our nation is also standing against her because of her embracement of immorality, slaying of innocent babies, and total disregard of the Scriptures and God. I believe that God would bless America again if she would once again make Him LORD.

America is more than an idea; she is a people. Who is America? America is the firefighter who rushes to save lives. America is the police officer who daily risks their life to defend the innocent. America is the factory worker who wakes up early each morning to fight traffic on the way to work so that they can pay their bills. America is the school teacher who sacrifices to give our youth a quality education. America is the janitor who pushes the broom and cleans the desks to make places of business look professional. America is the farmer who wakes up early and stays up late to plow the fields and milk the cows. America is the store attendant who sales products to those who are fortunate enough to have money to purchase goods to feed and clothe their family. America is the postal worker who daily walks up and down our streets delivering mail. America is the soldier who puts on a uniform every day to defend our American liberties. America is the pastor who weekly helps the hurting and spiritually feeds the people of his church. America is the doctor or nurse who daily treats those whose lives hang in the balance. America is the bank clerk who securely handles the money of their patrons. I may not have mentioned your line of work, but whoever you are, you are America.

America is the boys and girls who fill the parks at summer and play ball. America is the teenager who walks to school every day to learn so that they can become a contributor to their nations future. America is the child who goes to Sunday school every week to learn about Jesus. America is the young child who rides a bus to church just to hear that God loves them. America is the individual citizen; America is you!

As great as our history is, our future is going to be that dark if we don’t turn the tide of what she is becoming. If America is the people like you, and if America will only be blessed if “God is the LORD,” that means that you must make God your LORD if America is going to be blessed. On this July 4th weekend, let me remind you of some things that you must do to help keep America blessed.

1. You must live right.

The only way America is going to do right is if you do right. America is only as right as are her people. Her churches will not be filled unless you go to church. Her morals will not be high unless you live according to high morals. Her love for God will not be right unless you love God with all your heart, soul and mind. We can complain about what America has become, but are you living right? Remember, America is only as pure as you are pure. America is as holy as you are holy. America is as dedicated to God as you are dedicated to Him. America will never be a blessed nation unless you do what it takes for God to bless you.

2. You must pray for America.

As much as we don’t like what is going on in America, my question to you is how much have you prayed for her? Complain all you want, but have you spent five minutes in prayer for your nation over this Independence Day weekend? James 5:16 reminds us, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Yes, we must live right and do right for America to be blessed, but we must also pray fervently for her if we want her to turn back to God. America will never be saved without prayer. Our founding fathers bathed their decisions in prayer, and that is why we have founding documents that have preserved our freedoms to this day. However, we will continue to lose those freedoms if Christians never darken the prayer closet for their nation. If every Christian were serious about saving their nation, they would spend much time in fervent prayer begging God to save her.

3. You must reach the souls of America with the Gospel.

There is only one way we are going to change who this nation is, and that is through reaching the lost for Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” It is Christ who changes people. It is not going to be Christians involving themselves in politics that changes this nation because politics has NEVER changed one soul. ONLY CHRIST can change the soul. The way to keep the murder of innocent babies from happening is to lead the doctors who perform these murders to Jesus Christ. The only way to stop alcohol from ruining families is to lead the person who drinks it to Christ. My friend, you can certainly make laws to legislate people to do right, but that doesn’t change the soul. The answer to turning America back to God is for Christians to get serious about reaching the lost for Christ. Every time we lead another person to Jesus Christ, we are one soul closer to turning our nation back to God.

I love America, but I don’t love the sin that she is embracing. On this Independence Day weekend, let me urge you to consider what you are doing to bring God’s blessings on this nation. You can get upset about what is going on and never do a thing, or you can be involved to turn America back to God by doing right, praying fervently, and reaching the lost for Jesus Christ.

by: Dr. Allen Domelle

Senator Ted Cruz and businessman Donald Trump seem to be the last two candidates still standing on the Republican presidential primary ticket. With the primaries coming to an end, the rhetoric continues to intensify, and the ploys to attract voters is in full gear. It seems that they are coming to a point where they will say or do whatever they feel will help get them over the amount of delegates they need to be the representative of their party on the presidential ticket.

As a Christian and a conservative voter, I was disgusted with the candidate’s behavior and statements in the past week. Both Senator Cruz and Mr. Trump seemed to have stepped to nauseating lows in their attempts to get enough votes to be the Republican nominee.

I was disgusted and disappointed in Senator Cruz’s appearance this past week on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Senator Cruz was part of a skit staging a phone conversation between Mr. Trump and himself. During this mock conversation, Senator Cruz picked up a bottle of whiskey, poured it into a glass, and took a drink of whiskey. This was just part of what disgusted me. During this same skit, there was a raunchy reference that he could have objected to before the show; instead, he sat and showed no emotion when this reference occurred when he should have stopped and said he doesn’t talk that way.

For Senator Cruz to be running on the platform as a good Christian, he sure seems to be ignoring Scripture with his continued reference to alcohol consumption. The Scriptures clearly teach that drinking alcohol is wrong. Proverbs 20:1 says, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” Has Senator Cruz forgotten, “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:” (Proverbs 31:4) Has he ignored, “Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.” (Hosea 4:11) It absolutely disappointed me that he openly partook of that which God forbids. For Mr. Cruz to be such a “good Christian,” he certainly seems to have forgotten God’s curse on those who drink wine. Isaiah 5:22 says, “Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:” There is no excuse for a man, especially one who claims to be a good Christian, to not only talk about his social drinking, but also to do it on national television.

My disgust continued a couple of days later when Donald Trump decided to say that he agrees that sodomites should be allowed to use any restroom they wanted. This is total lunacy! Though Mr. Trump doesn’t claim to be a good Christian, and I’m sure many would agree with that, he has said that he believes the Bible to be the best book ever written, with his book coming in a close second. I guess Mr. Trump forgot to read Genesis 1:27 that says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” The Bible didn’t say that God created male, female and transgender. Evidently, Mr. Trump didn’t read Genesis 5:22 that says, “Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.” If he had, he would have known that no man should ever go into a woman’s restroom or vice versa. He should also know, if he knows the Bible is the best book, that Leviticus 18:22 says, “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” There is no way you can Scripturally approve of this sin and the attempt to make it acceptable in our society.

Both of these men have provided a teachable moment for every Christian. I’m sure any Christian reading this would agree that what these men did was wrong, but we must not allow these moments to go by without learning from them. There are four lessons we can learn from these incidents.

1. Don’t be blinded by loyalties or preferences.

One of my disappointments is the unwillingness of preachers to call out these men for their wickedness, even after endorsing them for president. If you are going to endorse a man for president, you should also call him out when he promotes sin. Last time I checked, alcohol is still the Devil’s juice, and sodomy is still abominable. Friend, right is right and wrong is wrong. Call sin out when you see it. Don’t cover your eyes to sin just because you endorsed them. Your silence is condoning these sins when you have openly endorsed someone.

One of the sins that God punished nations for in the past is the men of God who wouldn’t name sin. Ezekiel 33:6 warns, “But if 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.” I believe we can certainly say that Nathan the prophet supported King David. However, Nathan didn’t stay silent when David openly sinned; instead, he said, “Thou art the man.” When men like Cruz and Trump choose to ignore the Scriptures and flaunt their sinful ways to the public, men of God should call them out. As a Christian, you must be careful about allowing your alliances to cause you to turn a blind eye or have a double-standard towards wrong. Silence is condoning wrong when personal alliances do wrong.

2. The hope of saving this nation will never be in the White House.

The hope is always in the church house. Only one institution in history turned the world upside down, and that was the local New Testament Baptist church. Acts 17:6 shows us this when it says, “…These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;” We must stop putting our hope in the next president and start putting our efforts into the only institution that can stop the insanity going on in our society. If the church isn’t the answer, then let’s close down every church and become politicians. However, if the church is the hope of saving our nation, let’s get busy doing what we can to help turn our world upside down for Christ through our local church.

3. The Christian has an enormous duty to fulfill.

Because the hope of this nation lies within the church, the church will only turn the world upside down when the Christians inside that church start obeying the command that turned the world upside down. What is that command? Matthew 28:19-20 is the command when it says, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 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.” This is what the church did in Acts 17:6 when the world was turned upside down. Winning people to Christ, getting them baptized, teaching them to obey God’s Word, and sending them to reach others is the only way we will change this world. We will continue to see our society drift further from God until we obey the only thing that changes a society.

4. Pray for the authorities.

I completely understand that this article is quite sharp, but someone has to tell the truth. However, one of these candidates, Republican or Democrat, will become our next President. Because of that, we should be praying for their salvation, and for them to do right. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 commands us, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” If we truly believed in the power of prayer, we would believe that these individuals running for president could be changed through that power. Prayer has changed many people throughout history, and though these candidates say and do things that are wrong, God can change them if we would pray for them.

It is time that Christians everywhere start becoming consistent in what we say and do. This article’s purpose is in no way discouraging you from doing your civic duty or from voting for either one of these men, but it is an admonition and a reminder to be consistent in your stand against sin which is your responsibility as a Christian.

Recap of 2016 Old Paths Conference
by: Allen Domelle

The 2016 National Old Paths Conference is over, and the reports that we are receiving from those who attended are encouraging. The theme of this year’s conference was, The Jesus Model. Every sermon and lesson taught reminded those attending that the model Jesus left in the Scriptures is still relevant to today’s society, and it still works for those who choose to work that model.

2 Timothy 1:6 says, “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.” I truly believe the Holy Spirit stirred the hearts of each person. They were stirred by the Spirit-led singing of Bro. Alvin Martinez, Longview Baptist Church choir and singing groups. The Texas Independent Baptist Seminary and Schools ensemble were a great part of this year’s conference singing powerful songs that prepared the hearts of those attending for the preaching to come. The Holy Spirit also inspired and convicted each person through the preaching of God’s Word.

It started on Monday evening with a challenge to be a soul winner. Each person was reminded that God has Divine Appointments everywhere if they would simply slow down and listen to the guiding voice of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Bruce Goddard followed up with a reminder of the importance the local church and its impact on individual lives.

Tuesday night was truly a life-changing night. The Holy Spirit convicted the hearts of all through Dr. Goddard’s sermon that reminded us that the problem is not what we can’t do in the old paths, the problem is the relationship we have with God. It was evident through the invitation that the Holy Spirit moved as people continued to walk the aisles for over 45 minutes. Many spiritual victories were seen in this invitation. Dr. B.G. Buchanan followed up with reminding the listener not to waste the grace of God. What a powerful one-two punch!

Wednesday night it seemed that God sealed the decisions with a stirring message on the importance of the Christian doing God’s work in the power of His Spirit and not in the power of the flesh. Dr. Bob Gray II followed that sermon by preaching a powerful message reminding the listener that the message can be right, but the spirit can be wrong, resulting in people hating the old paths. He showed from the Scriptures that if the message and the spirit of the messenger is right, the listeners will see Christ and not the person delivering the message. Again, the Holy Spirit moved in the invitation, and many of God’s people were challenged to go back home and continue walking and proclaiming the old paths without apology.

The day sessions, in both the ladies and men’s sessions, were instructional and challenging. The men were reminded and taught how to start and organize a Sunday school, how to keep soul winning alive, and how to continue walking the old paths for fifty years. The men walked away challenged that the Jesus Model still works.

Each lady enjoyed hearing Mrs. Tammy Goddard, Mrs. Sarita Buchanan, Mrs. Jennifer Petticoffer, Mrs. Cheryl Zinn, Mrs. Kelly Gray, and Mrs. Sandy Domelle teach on, Don’t Put the Key to your Happiness in Someone Else’s Pocket. The ladies learned how to be happy through life’s changes. They learned that the main key to keeping their desires right is found in the Word of God. The ladies were certainly stirred to be careful with the keys God has given them in life.

Since the conference, many have called or texted to thank us for the conference. Some of the words that were said about the conference were:

Practical

Life-changing

Refreshing

Convicting

Needed

Encouraging

Stirring

I am reminded of Isaiah 58:12 that says, “And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.” The true results of this conference will be seen by how the paths are restored by those who attended. I would like to encourage every person who attended to remember that though your heart may have been stirred, now the real test will be seen by what you do with what God has given you. Don’t allow the seeds of the truths given die because you are home. The souls of many whom you influence or will influence are dependent upon what you do with these truths. If you continually remember the challenge from each lesson or sermon, you will find that reminder will continue to stir you to employ what you learned through the Holy Spirit’s power.

Let me invite you to plan now to attend the 2017 Old Paths Conference. The dates of the conference will be, March 20-22, 2017. We look forward to seeing what the LORD will do once again next year.

by: Allen Domelle

On Saturday, February 13, 2016, Supreme Court Justice, Antonin Scalia, was found dead at a luxury resort. Justice Scalia had been a Supreme Court Justice since 1982 when he was appointed to the court by President Ronald Reagan. His death caught many by surprise, and the absence of an autopsy has led to many rumors as to how he died. His passing is certainly a great loss to the court, but a more significant loss to conservatism.

Justice Scalia was known for his brilliant conservative mind. His dissents were often sharply worded as he laid out his case as to why a Supreme Court ruling was wrong. He was considered by many as one of the more prominent legal thinkers of our generation. He was also one of the more vocal justices. His writings and speeches were always, and will probably always be used by conservatives as a basis for their beliefs.

Justice Scalia was best known as an originalist. His strict interpretation of the United States Constitution often put him at odds with the liberal justices of the court. He believed that the Constitution, as originally written, should always be adhered to in every ruling. He didn’t believe that the Constitution evolved with society, but that every law should be strictly based off the original intent of the authors of our United States Constitution. This is why he was best known as an originalist. There is no doubt that the Supreme Court will miss his brilliant mind and his textualist position.

When I reflect on the battles that Justice Scalia fought over many years for his originalist position, I see a similarity of a battle being fought today among the independent, fundamental Baptists. Many originalists in the independent, old-paths Baptists believe that the Scriptures don’t evolve with society. When God gave us the Scriptures, He expected us to adhere strictly to His Word. Every action we do should be based on a strict interpretation of the Scriptures.

The battle throughout the ages has always been to question the originalist position. Satan started in the Garden of Eden when he said, “Yea, hath God said…” Satan’s question to Eve is still the same battle that independent, old-paths Baptists still fight today. There are those who call themselves, “The New Independent Baptists,” who attack the originalist position of those who believe that the Scriptures don’t change with societal changes. Satan’s attack against the originalist position will be a battle that every generation will fight. The life of Justice Scalia and his originalist defense should cause every Christian to pause and consider several things concerning old-paths Christianity.

1. God’s Word doesn’t evolve with societal changes.

To attack the King James Bible 1611 is to attack the deity of Jesus Christ. Psalm 119:89 says, “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” We are reminded in John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus Christ is the Word, and we are reminded in Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” The world is in constant change, but we must always remember that God’s Word never changes. I often remind people that the originals are not the text that God preserved on Earth, but the Original is Jesus Christ. Everything we have had on Earth is a preservation of the Original; therefore, having a strict interpretation of the Scriptures is only a defense of the person of Jesus Christ.

2. Christians should be passionate about what they believe.

I wish that independent, old-paths Baptists were as passionate about defending the Scriptures and what God originally meant as Justice Scalia was about the United States Constitution. God challenges the Christian to be an ardent defender in Jude 1:3 where He provokes the Christian to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” If what we have is truth, and it is, we should be passionate about living it and keeping it as originally intended by God. A passionless Christian concerning God’s original position will lead to compromise.

3. The only hope to perpetuate the originalist position is through teaching others.

Timothy became a strong originalist Christian because of the teaching of his mother and grandmother. Paul reminds us of this in 2 Timothy 1:5 when he says, “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” We will never perpetuate the original positions of God’s Word unless we teach them to others. The Scriptures should be taught to the next generation in their originality. We should be careful not to tell people to do as we say do, but we should teach them by showing them from the Scriptures why we do what we do. Christians will more easily defend the originality of God’s positions when they are taught them from the Scriptures.

4. Never give place to change due to the questioning and attacks of originality.

The mistake Eve made in the Garden of Eden was when she paused at Satan’s question. His attack against the originality of Scripture was through questioning rather than through an absolute statement that it wasn’t true. I love Nehemiah’s response to the attacks while he built the wall. He said in Nehemiah 6:3, “…I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?” The best defense of the originalist position is to continue to do right. Always remember that the Devil tries to get you to change through questioning and attacking your originalist position. Don’t let the questioning of your motives and the attacks of what you are doing by those who desire change to justify their compromising lifestyles cause you to change.

The battle we face today both politically and spiritually are eerily alike. The battle is over whether what we place our beliefs and faith in should change or be adapted to societal changes, or if we should adhere to the original intent of our forefathers and God’s Word. I’m thankful for Justice Scalia’s unwavering defense of a textualist position and his contribution to the preservation of the Constitution. I only hope that every Christian would have the same fortitude to stand as strong for the Scriptures and their standards for salvation, holy living and reaching the lost as Justice Scalia did for the Constitution. May every Christian let Justice Scalia’s life be a motivation to “earnestly contend for the faith.”

by: Allen Domelle

Satan is the master of distraction. We often think that the Devil wants us to fall into deep sin, but his real goal is to distract us from what we are supposed to do. His efforts are not so much to get you to become an alcoholic though he wouldn’t mind if you did; however, he does give an all-out effort to distract you from what the LORD wants you to do. The Devil is not as concerned with you becoming a drug addict as he is with you being distracted from what God wants you to do. Many make the mistake of thinking that the Devil’s efforts are about getting you to fall into deep sin, but he would be very pleased if you didn’t fall into “deep sin” but was distracted from what God wants you to do.

It all started in the Garden of Eden when Satan distracted Eve with another voice. Satan’s tactic of distraction is seen in Genesis 3:1 where it says, “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” You will notice that Satan was subtil about his approach. Eve had never heard that voice before in the garden, and that voice distracted her from whatever she was supposed to be doing. If she had ignored the distractive voice, she would have never eaten of the forbidden fruit. Satan’s subtil approach was through distraction.

I think of Josiah, who got distracted from his kingdom with another kingdom. It says in 2 Chronicles 35:20, “After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.” Josiah felt that Necho had no business going to war because he had problems in his kingdom that he needed to address. Josiah’s desire to be sure things turned out the way he thought they should be was a noble intention, but it was Satan’s tactic to distract him from the duty of ruling his kingdom. He may have been right with his concerns, but he needed to stay focused on keeping his kingdom strong. Getting distracted from what he was supposed to do eventually cost him his life and kingdom. He could have avoided an early death if he had listened to Necho say, “…God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not. Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him…” (2 Chronicles 35:21-22)

When Joseph and Mary inquired of Jesus why He wasn’t with them, He said, “…wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” Jesus understood His priorities early in His life. One of the first things Jesus dealt with in his ministry was with Satan’s attempt to distract him with money, power, possessions and prestige. In each instance, Jesus thwarted the distraction by quoting Scripture and staying focused on His purpose. Jesus had many times He could have allowed distractions to keep Him from the cross, but we are beneficiaries of Him staying focused on the Kingdom of God.

Throughout history, Christians have often gotten distracted from the Kingdom of God. I have seen so many distractions come and go throughout my life, but in each of these distractions, many Christians never got back to what they were supposed to do. I remember when many got distracted with starting Christian schools. Many pastors got so wrapped up in the Christian school movement because they thought it would be the thing that would save America. There is nothing wrong with a Christian school, but God didn’t commission the church to start Christian schools. He commissioned the church to reach the lost for Christ. I remember when the abortion issue was the hot issue and every church felt the need to join arm-in-arm with other churches to try and overturn the murder of innocent babies. Churches that didn’t even believe like each other joined to encircle their city for an afternoon with “Christians” who were against abortion. Again, I’m against abortion, but this effort caused many churches to get sidetracked from soul winning, and thousands of people went to Hell as a result of Christians having multiple rallies to stop abortion. I’ve watched Christians become distracted with political movements, nicer buildings, and other worthy issues and get so focused on them that they stopped being the soul winners God called them to do.

The agenda and focus of Christians should be the Kingdom of God. The final words of our Saviour before He ascended to Heaven is found in Acts 1:8. Jesus says, “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.” Our kingdom is not of this world, but our kingdom is about the kingdom of God. The focus of the Christian is to reach as many souls as they can with the Gospel. It is when the Christian stays focused on the kingdom of God that they will turn the world upside down. If you don’t believe this, look at how the church in the Book of Acts flourished by staying focused on the Kingdom of God. Because they stayed focused, they eventually turned the world upside down for Christ.

My purpose in writing this article is that I’m very concerned with many Christians becoming distracted with the kingdom of politics. This article is in no way an attempt to condemn anyone, but to exhort Christians to refocus on the kingdom of God. I do believe, as a Christian, we need to do our best to reach politicians with the Gospel. My concern is that the current political cycle is causing many brethren to be distracted. If you don’t believe me, just look at the majority of the dialogue from men of God is about on social networking sites. I know this will not make some happy as many have become thin-skinned about this area, but brethren, let’s look at how much effort we are putting towards the political kingdom compared to the kingdom of God. While we get distracted with this political cycle, people that we could have reached will go to Hell. I’m for Christians fulfilling their duty as an American and vote, but don’t let the political noise distract you from your call to reach the lost for Christ.

Four thoughts of advice that will help you from becoming distracted.

1. Limit your time with the news media.

It would be hard for any patriotic American not to get upset with what is going on in our nation. With the 24-hour news media that we have today, you can become quickly occupied by the bombardment of negative news get distracted from God’s commission to reach the lost. Limiting the voice of the news media in your life will keep you from being distracted from what the LORD left you here to do.

2. Be more passionate about soul winning than you are with anything else.

Let soul winning be your passion. Too many preachers are going to be known for their political stand more than they are with reaching the lost for Christ. Your city needs to know that there is one church where they can call when they want someone who is lost to get saved. Your church will not be known for this if your passion becomes anything other than souls. Never forget that the greatest thing you can do as a Christian is to reach the lost for Jesus Christ.

3. Be Christlike in your response to the political noise.

Just because the political world gets nasty doesn’t give the Christian a right to act the same way. Always respond in such a manner that if you met the person you are talking about on the street, they wouldn’t mind talking to you. Many Christians have been so vicious about certain politicians that there is no way they could talk to them about Christ if they ran into them on the street. Let the rhetoric of the Christian be Christlike.

4. Don’t get mad at those who warn, but let it be a warning light to check if you are becoming distracted.

Friend, don’t get thin-skinned when someone talks about something you may be doing. God says in Psalm 119:165, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” Instead of getting upset with someone, let what they are saying be a warning light to be sure that you are not guilty about what they are talking. I’m sure we all have been guilty of getting upset with critics and hardened our neck to the point where we couldn’t see that they could have been right. If you are right, what others say won’t offend you. The only time you will be offended is when you have been distracted, and your flesh has taken over.

Though this article may touch on politics, remember that when this political cycle pass, another distraction will come. Be careful not to fall for Satan’s tactic of distraction. Stay focused on reaching the lost for Christ. When we don’t allow the distractions of Satan to get us sidetracked, we will do more to change this world through reaching the lost for Christ and training converts in the Word of God.