Category: Current Events

by: Allen Domelle

I am amazed at the total disregard of scriptural principle by many preachers when it comes to endorsing candidates for the presidency. It seems as if the latest fad for preachers is to be the next one to put out a public endorsement for a political candidate. From personal endorsements to trying to start a coalition of preachers in a region, pastors have especially thought they need to endorse a political candidate this primary season.

As is always the case, the Scriptures have the answers to every situation in life. Even in the area of endorsing political candidates, the Scriptures give us clear guidance as to whether or not a preacher should endorse candidates. If some of the pastors would slow down and look at scriptural principle, I believe they would see they have no business endorsing any political candidate.

From the very early moments of Jesus’ life, God made it clear that He was not to be involved in politics. The wise men came from the east in search of Jesus. They had studied the Scriptures and knew that the Messiah, the King of the Jews, was to be born. When they saw the star in the east, they traveled to Jerusalem to worship the child.

Because they did not know where the child was born, they came to Herod and asked him, “…Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2) After the angel had warned these men not to go back to Herod because he sought the child’s life, an angel of God warned Joseph, “…Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.” (Matthew 2:13) God was setting the foundation very early in the life of Jesus that He was not to be involved in politics, but He was to keep the Kingdom of God as His focal point.

It was during Jesus’ ministry on Earth that He continued to show preachers that they were not to be involved in politics. In Matthew 22:17, the Herodians, trying to put Jesus in a political quandary asked Him, “What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?” They knew that Jesus was called the “King of the Jews,” so they thought they could get Him to dethrone Caesar by teaching not to give tribute to Him. Jesus, knowing their deceitful hearts, said in verse 21, “…Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” Get this, Jesus was teaching them to obey the laws of the land, vote when it’s time to vote, pay your taxes when they are due, but stay busy rendering your service unto God as that is what He called the Christian to do.

For some, you may think this is stretching Scripture a bit, but let’s look at the final account of Jesus’ life on Earth. Jesus was about to ascend back to Heaven. The disciples were still struggling with the thought that Jesus should set up His kingdom on Earth. They had politics on their mind and desired to help Jesus with His kingdom. With the kingdom in mind, they asked Jesus in Acts 1:6, “…Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” Do you see what the disciples were interested in? They were very interested in the political kingdom.

Jesus, knowing that the disciples were politically minded, said to them in verse 7-8, “…It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 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.” Jesus turned their attention away from politics to what He wanted them to spend their life doing, and that was reaching the world with the Gospel.

It is interesting that every time Jesus was faced with getting politically involved, He turned their attention away from the political world to staying focused on endorsing the Kingdom of God. Jesus is not against the Christian voting because it is their responsibility as a citizen to vote, but it is clearly seen by Jesus’ example that the preacher’s job is to stay focused on reaching people for Jesus Christ.

I know the preachers who have gone public with their endorsement think they need to use whatever influence they have to get people to vote for whom they think is the best candidate. But preacher, why do you think you should endorse a candidate when the Scriptures clearly set the principle that you are to avoid being entangled in the political world? Jesus’ example was clear, and His command to the disciples was also clear to stay away from this political entanglement. For a preacher to endorse candidates is at best ignorance of God’s principles.

The Word of God is an amazing Book in that if the preacher will just preach it’s truths, and teach their people scriptural principles, if their listeners are yielded to the Holy Spirit, they will come to the conclusion of what is right and wrong concerning presidential candidates. What many preachers don’t take into consideration is that they are alienating people in their congregation when they endorse one candidate. I ask, is it better to alienate a person you are called to lead spiritually, or to keep your spiritual influence and teach them Scriptural principles so the Holy Spirit can lead them?

Especially in the primary season, you will have several candidates who are worthy of considering, but even the best of candidates are spiritually tainted. The candidate who you endorse as a good Christian just might embarrass you with their promotion of a flash dance video on Twitter. Please explain how you get around that? That is exactly why you should not be endorsing any candidates.

Preachers, let’s get back to doing what we are supposed to do, and that is preaching the Word. People may ask me personally who I plan to vote for, and I will probably discuss the one’s I’m considering, but my public endorsement is for the Kingdom of God. My endorsement is for preachers to stop trying to impress themselves with their perceived influence and get back to what will truly change a country, and that is reaching the lost for Jesus Christ. Every moment a preacher spends his energies endorsing political candidates they are wasting energies that could be used to reach the lost for Christ.

I’m not upset with any preacher, but I am very concerned with this recent fad of preachers thinking that they need to endorse a political candidate. Instead of endorsing the “Caesar’s” of this world, be known as the preacher who endorses one person, Jesus Christ. Remember Acts 4:12 says as it talks about the name of Jesus, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” If you make Jesus your sole endorsement, you will never be disappointed, and you will never lead someone to vote for the wrong person.

by: Allen Domelle

It is said every election cycle that this is the most important election of our lifetime. This election is no different in that it could be the most important election, not only in our lifetime, but in our history. With so many religious freedoms under attack by the Obama administration, the Democrat Party and the news media, who becomes the next President of the United States just might determine whether or not we can stop the onslaught against our religious freedoms.

In recent weeks, many preacher friends have come out and endorsed the person who they think would be the best candidate for the Republican party. I am in no way against who they endorsed, nor am I criticizing them for endorsing someone. Every person has their reasons as to why they feel they need to endorse a candidate.

In my travels, I have been asked numerous times who I am endorsing for the Republican ticket. My answer is that I am not endorsing anyone. I have several reasons as to why I don’t want to endorse anyone at this time.

1. Every candidate on the Republican ticket is better than anyone on the Democratic ticket. We are blessed in this election cycle to have so many good candidates as compared to previous election cycles. I completely understand that there are some on the Republican ticket whose positions are much closer to scriptural principles than others. However, all of the Republicans running for President of the United States have positions that are closer to scriptural principles than Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders.

2. I believe it is too early to warrant an endorsement. A lot can happen between now and the Iowa caucus. I believe it would be wiser to wait till we get closer to see what positions we discover about the candidates. Proverbs 19:2 makes it clear that haste is not wise when it says, “Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.” There is still much to learn about each of these candidates, and an endorsement too early can cause us to miss information that we should consider.

3. An endorsement is my word, which means I must vote for them even if they don’t stand a chance of getting elected. If I endorse a candidate, I am giving my word that I will vote for them. Ecclesiastes 5:5 says, “Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.” This is one of the main reasons I will not endorse someone is because something could change between now and the day to vote. If you endorse, you’ve given your word and are bound by it. If the person I’m endorsing doesn’t stand a chance to win, I am wasting my vote. I’ve always promoted voting for the person who believes closest to the Scriptures and who stands the best chance of winning. If who I endorse isn’t close to winning and I vote for them, I may have helped a person who is the weakest on scriptural principles win the primaries.

4. An endorsement of a candidate will not help the candidate, but it could hurt the preacher. Why should a preacher endorse a candidate? We have to ask ourselves if we are endorsing someone for our name or the candidate. One reason I won’t endorse a candidate is because if he is elected and doesn’t follow through on the platform on which they ran, which is not unheard of, it then reflects on my judgment. God is very clear about a preacher being careful about what they say. Deuteronomy 18:22 says, “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.” A preacher puts his ministry on the line when he endorses a candidate. I believe it is better for a preacher to preach the truths that will clearly show for whom to vote than it is for him to give names. I believe as an American a pastor has every right to endorse a candidate, but as a preacher he is at best putting his ministry at risk.

CAUTIONS:

1. Don’t let a candidate’s Christianity influence your thinking. I know this sounds strange from a preacher, but throughout my lifetime I have heard many candidates talk about their Christian faith. In fact, Jimmy Carter got elected as President of the United States mainly because of the Christian vote. He was very candid about being a Christian and teaching a Sunday school class in a Baptist church, but look how that turned out. Friend, we are not voting for a pastor, we are voting for the President of the United States. If our next president is a Christian, it is a bonus, but you can’t use it as a part of your qualifications as to whether you will vote for someone. God is capable of using a lost person to lead our nation in the right way as much as He can use a Christian. Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” There are many Christians in churches today who you wouldn’t vote for dogcatcher, much less President of the United States. Though I am glad that many of the candidates profess they are Christians, that is not the first thing on my list that I look for in the qualifications for whom I will vote.

2. Don’t believe everything you hear. You are going to hear good and bad about each candidate. My advice is to do your research. Proverbs 25:2 says, “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.” God didn’t say that the king needed to rely on reports about a matter, but their honor comes from doing the research themselves. You are going to hear good and bad reports about each candidate. Be careful about basing your opinions and judgments on a candidate off these reports. Be slow to make a judgment and do your research.

Let me make it clear that this article is not an indictment against any candidate, nor is it an attack against any preacher who has endorsed someone. As far at this preacher is concerned, I am not endorsing a candidate at this time even though I have my leanings towards one or two candidates. I’d rather point people to scriptural truths that will make it clear who they should vote for than to dictate for whom they should vote. Brethren, let’s be circumspect in this election cycle understanding that our religious freedoms will affect our ability to reach the lost for Jesus Christ. Do your research, and let the Holy Spirit guide you through His Word and prayer as to whom you should vote.

by: Allen Domelle

The latest RNC debate hosted by CNBC this past week revealed something to the world that most conservatives have known for a long time. It revealed the media’s bias towards the Democrats. From the smug looks of the panel to the character attacks towards the Republican candidates, it was very clear from the first question that this was not a debate, but a character assassination of every Republican candidate.

When the first question asked to the candidates was to identify their biggest weakness, you knew that they were not there to talk about the policies of each candidate on the economy, as was originally agreed upon when the debate was set up. You knew from the first question that this panel viewed their questioning as an assignment to take down every candidate.

There is one thing that is missed by many of those who disagreed with how the debate was handled. Many have pointed out the bias of the media, which most have already known. What I believe has been missed is the arrogance of the media. The day after the debate, as I watched America’s News Room on FoxNews, Bill Hemmer bemoaned that everyone is making this about the panel instead of pointing out that the Republicans are afraid to answer tough questions. REALLY? This coming from a network whose obvious agenda is to get the Republican establishment candidates Jeb Bush or Marco Rubio elected. This coming from the network who in the first debate did everything they could to take out their arch-rival, Donald Trump. Ben Carson and Ted Cruz lovers, don’t think for a second that they like your candidate either. They just believe if they can remove Trump that the rest will be easy to remove. They view Carson as an easy target because of his low energy. They have already started piling on Cruz as an obstructionist who never wins. It’s not hard to see the arrogance and agenda of the media.

Every debate has shown the arrogance of the media. Each panel on these debates has portrayed themselves as the star of the show. If they didn’t believe this, then why are the panelists being questioned before the debate ever starts? The reason is because they believe they are that great and everyone should notice them. If they were not arrogant, then they would perform the panelist job to simply shine a light on the candidates and not themselves. A panelist is not there to be recognized; rather, their job is to ask questions that would allow the candidate to lay out their policies so that the listener can make their own decision. The problem is these panelists view their listeners as ignorant fools who need them to use their intelligence to set this election straight so that who they view as the right candidate should win. Their job is not to be recognized when the night is over. They miserably failed because of their arrogance. They are happy that everyone is talking about them after a debate. They are only upset that their agenda was exposed in this last debate.

There are several lessons that we should learn about the news media and liberals from this debate.

1. Don’t trust the media.

The media always has an agenda in every story. They formulate their questions and reporting in such a manner to get you to hear what they want you to hear. God says in Proverbs 14:15, “The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.” Just because the media reports something doesn’t make it true. It is your responsibility to do your own research instead of trusting what is printed or aired by the news media. Their motives have been exposed, don’t trust them.

2. Don’t expect liberals to be fair.

They don’t believe their job is to be fair, they believe their job is to force their agenda upon you. To some degree, their actions can be commended because they at least follow through on what they believe. For some reason, we have this idea that life is supposed to be fair. Friend, life is not fair, and liberals are going to do one thing, promote their agenda and candidate.

If the Republicans are going to ever get their message out, then they are going to have to use their own panelists who will ask the questions of these candidates that will help them to get their policy views out. Proverbs 9:6 says, “Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.” Conservative policies will only be displayed when you stop putting liberals on these panels and get conservative panels to ask questions during the primary season.

3. Don’t back down to liberals.

Ted Cruz did exactly what you are supposed to do to liberals, stand up and call them out. When Ted Cruz went off on the panel, every conservative cheered what he did because they have wanted someone to do this for a long time. This is how you deal with liberals, you call them out. That is how Paul dealt with liberals in Galatians 2:14 when he says, “But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?” God commands us not to back down when He says in Jude 1:3, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” God’s principle is clear in these verses that you must be bold and stand up to the liberal and call out the motives and policies.

4. Liberals will do anything to win.

One thing is very clear and that is the liberal will do anything to win. The problem with many conservatives is the mentality that if you are kind to a liberal that they will respond accordingly. Friend, by now you have got to learn that liberals don’t play by the rules. They don’t care who they destroy or what they have to do to win, they will do it. They have no shame! It doesn’t bother them to lie about someone and destroy their character. To the liberal, the end of winning justifies everything they do. I’m not saying that you need to play by their rule book and become dishonest, but I do want you to understand that you can’t expect them to be honest or decent.

This is a battle that we face. This election is a battle for the soul of this nation. We can sit back and let the news media and liberals continue to run over us, or we can stand up and say, “Enough is enough!” Always understand that a liberal will be kind to you under one condition and that condition is if you submit to the way they want things done. The Prophet Balaam figured this out when he compromised to Balak’s requests. Compromise must NEVER be in our playbook. We must fight the good fight of faith until we win.

5. Liberals always believe they are smarter than you.

Liberals are very arrogant! If you have ever conversed with a liberal, whether politically or in the spiritual realm, you have walked away with the understanding that they think they are smarter than anyone else. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Just because a liberal may have more college degrees than you doesn’t make you inferior. Don’t cower to their arrogance. Just because a person can throw around big words doesn’t make them smart. John 8:22 says, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” The more truth you learn, the more comfortable you will become with yourself. Friend, you must be careful that you don’t become arrogant because you know the truth, but you also need to be careful about cowering to liberals who propagate lies.

There is only one way to overcome the liberal’s lies and that is with the truth. Romans 12:21 says, “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Keep doing right and keep telling the truth. The truth will eventually win if we don’t cower to the lies of the liberal.

by: Allen Domelle

When the news started coming out regarding the mass shooting in Roseburg, Oregon, many Americans were horrified by the atrocity. According to an interview with a victim’s mother on CNN, the victim said the shooter asked people one-by-one what their religion was. He asked them, “Are you a Christian?” and if you are a Christian then stand up. He would then say, “Good, because you’re a Christian, you are going to see God in just about one-second.” He then shot and killed them. There is no doubt this young man was troubled, but I believe that he is a product of this present-day society.

We wonder how this savagery happened, and I believe part of the blame for this anti-Christian atmosphere and lack of respect for life can be placed on the Obama administration. His administration has created an atmosphere in which the value of life has been minimized, especially the lives of Christians. When Christians are beheaded in the Middle East and our president does nothing to stop these atrocities but is quick to lecture Christians about being more tolerant, it is no wonder that we see this hatred towards Christians. When the President and liberals call the murder of innocent babies in the womb being chopped up like butcher shop meats being simply baby tissue used for studies, it is no wonder that there is no value of life amongst our young people. When the President says that sodomite rights are more important than religious freedom, it is no wonder that people hate Christians. This President has done nothing but create a hateful atmosphere towards Christians by pushing his anti-Christian, pro-Muslim, baby killing agenda.

Yet, though all this has contributed to the present day atmosphere, I don’t believe this is the only reason. What is going on in America is also the result of the apathetic attitude that Christians have had in the past couple decades. When Christians take a back seat while the Word of God is attacked and won’t say anything or take a stand because of their loyalty to an institution or personality, we have no reason to complain about this present-day environment. We are to blame! We are the ones to blame when we allow the doctrines of the faith to be attacked by modern day Balaam’s who focus their attack on those who take a strong stand for truth by calling them hate-mongers and communists. When Christians water down truth, holiness and Christian values so they can justify their worldly lifestyles, it is no wonder that we are not making an impact on the lives of individuals. Why should this world want what a Christian has when we are watering down what the Scriptures clearly teach us to do?

The only hope for changing the anti-Christian atmosphere that we are experiencing today in America is to change the hearts of individuals. You will never change the hearts of individuals with more gun laws. Guns are not the problem; the heart of man is a problem. The only reason that people have more mental issues today than ever before is because we have not changed the hearts of these individuals. You can prescribe more medication to try and fix the problem or even institutionalize troubled people thinking that will fix the problem, but the problem is still the heart of man. The Bible says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) We will not change this present atmosphere until we change the heart of man, and the only way you can change the heart of man is by introducing people to the only Saviour, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the only One Who can change the heart and give a troubled person a new heart.

I believe there are several things we as Christians can do to help change the current atmosphere in our nation.

1. We must boldly proclaim that we are a Christian.

Paul said in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” We will never change the present-day atmosphere until we become bold about proclaiming our Christianity to the world. Stop trying to hide and or blend in, but be bold in proclaiming your Christianity. Stop apologizing for scriptural and Christian values; instead, continue to stand without apology boldly showing people from the Scriptures why you believe these truths.

2. We must become more aggressive in our attempts to reach the lost for Jesus Christ.

Our feeble attempts to reach the lost have contributed to the mass amount of people who have been influenced by the anti-Christian propaganda. When a person get saved, it changes who they are. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Christ is the only answer to changing the heart of man, and they will never be reached until Christians start telling people about a Saviour Who can save them from their sins.

3. Our churches must organize our Sunday schools better so we can teach Christians the truths of God’s Word.

Sadly, our churches have minimized the very part of the church where people are taught Christian doctrine and values. That arm of the church is the Sunday school. The average Sunday school is disorganized and dysfunctional. It is no wonder that young Christians drop out of church. They don’t drop out because of the standards of holiness that certain churches enforce, but they drop out because they are not being taught what the Scriptures teach during the Sunday school hour. Stop apologizing for teaching the Word of God in the Sunday school. I recently saw that a church shortened their Sunday school to a thirty-minute period. Why? If the Word of God has the answers of life then we need to be sure we give time each week to indoctrinate people in the doctrines of the Scriptures. The world certainly gives more than thirty minutes every week to teach their doctrine through television, the public schools and news media. Let’s organize the teaching arm of Sunday school and teach the Scriptures.

4. Christians must pray that God will change the atmosphere of this nation.

James 5:16 says, “…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Prayer is the answer to changing the present-day atmosphere. James 4:2 says, “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.” I ask you, when is the last time you have prayed fervently for your nation? Only God has the power to change what is going on in our nation. 2 Chronicles 7:14 is still true today when it says, “ If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” God has given Christians the recipe to turning a nation around, and He will be more than willing to change our situation if we will turn from our wickedness and pray.

5. We need to admit our iniquity and sins.

I understand that liberal policies have contributed to the present-day situation, but it is our sins that have caused God not to intervene. I am reminded of Ezra and Israel who confessed their sins to God and said, “Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.” (Ezra 9:7) We must stop pointing at others and take responsibility for our own actions. It is our sins as Christians that have brought America to the point where she sits today. It is our sins of compromise and lethargy that have wooed our society into an anti-Christian sentiment. Christians need to stop pointing their fingers at others and look at themselves and see what they need to change.

6. Stop hiding your Christianity and live it.

I’m not against tweeting #IamAChristian, but living it is better than tweeting it. Christianity is not a tweet or a Sunday appointment. It is a life that is supposed to be lived 24/7. We will never change this society until we become 24/7 Christians.

What is a Christian to Do?
by: Allen Domelle

This past Thursday should be marked down as a dark day in American history. U.S. District Judge, David Bunning, jailed a Kentucky county clerk for standing by her faith not to issue a marriage certificate to same-sex couples. Judge Bunning had previously ordered Rowan County Clerk, Kim Davis to start issuing marriage certificates to same-sex couples since the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling on same-sex sin in June. Because she refused to follow this order on basis of her faith, he ruled her in contempt of court.

Davis told the judge that her conscience would not allow her to do this because she is a Christian and this would go against her religious beliefs. Davis, an Apostolic Christian, has said that issuing a certificate for same-sex sin would be in direct contradiction to the Scriptures, which she is right in saying.

Judge Bunning has an activist history of ruling for sodomy. In 2003, he ordered the school system of Boyd County, Ky., to allow a student group, the Gay-Straight Alliance, to meet on school grounds. He later ruled in 2006 that the school system could not let students who opposed sodomite rights to opt out of anti-harassment sessions which are nothing more than classes that promote the sodomite agenda. It is very apparent this judge is more interested in being an activist for sodomy than he is in interpreting the law.

Judges are to interpret law not make law. According to several knowledgeable in law, Ms. Davis did not break any laws. Just because a judge desires to promote his agenda doesn’t make it right to put a person in jail who disagrees with him. This is judicial activism at its best. Maybe Judge Bunning should be put in the cell next to Ms. Davis for violating the First Amendment which guarantees religious freedom to practice our faith without government interference.

Opponents of Ms. Davis have called for her to be fired, which cannot be done because she is an elected official. She can be impeached by the Kentucky legislature, but not fired. What is interesting is these same people calling for her to be fired have failed to call for President Obama’s resignation as he refuses to defy immigration laws and even his own Obamacare laws. These same people have failed to call for the mayor of San Francisco to resign who ignored federal laws by not reporting illegal immigrants who have been arrested to ICE. There seems to be a double standard.

These opponents point out Ms. Davis’ own questionable history of marriage in stating that she has been divorced many times. This is true! What they don’t point out is that in 2011 she claims to have accepted Christ as her personal Saviour. Christians certainly aren’t perfect, but Christ can do a great work in their lives. It would be better to look at her life since becoming a Christian to determine if she is being consistent than to look at her life prior to her conversion.

It is interesting how sodomites who say that this whole thing is about love can be so hateful. All you have to do is tweet something or put something on Facebook against their agenda and they start spewing their venom.

Don’t mistake this battle that we face as a civil rights issue. This is not a civil rights issue, but it is about throwing God completely out of the American society. America was founded upon the Judeo-Christian values found in the Scriptures. Every Amendment in the U.S. Constitution that the Supreme Court is to uphold was based upon Scripture. The desire of the Left is to throw God and the Scriptures out of America so they can change the Constitution to accommodate their wicked lifestyles. That is what this is truly all about.

SO WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN TO DO?

This reminds me of the story in Daniel when a law was enacted that anyone praying to any other than King Darius for thirty days would be thrown into the lion’s den. Daniel could have easily said that he would pray in private or keep his faith private, but his faith had been on display for all to see. He could have said that God would understand if he didn’t pray for thirty days because it would endanger his position with the king and his own personal life. But, Daniel completely understood that to obey the law of the land was to disobey the higher law of God which commands Christians to always pray. We see Daniel’s response to the law in Daniel 6:10 which says, “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” Daniel didn’t change how he lived because man’s law contradicted God’s law. He chose to obey God’s law even though he knew the consequences meant he would lose his life. I believe in this story there are several things Christians can learn about what to do when activist judges rule against God’s authority.

1. Keep a right attitude and spirit.

Daniel didn’t become bitter against the king for throwing him into the lion’s den; instead, it can be assumed from Daniel 6:22, that he prayed for God not to hurt the king. It can be tempting to treat evil with evil, but you must not. You must ask for God’s grace to help your spirit during these times so that you don’t become hateful with what you say or do. Keeping a right attitude and spirit is just as important as doing right.

2. Always obey the higher law.

When the law of the land contradicted God’s law, Daniel chose to obey the higher law and pray “as he did aforetime.” Romans 13:1 says, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers…” God makes it very clear in this verse that you always obey the highest power. The highest power is always God. Throughout history man has enacted laws that have forced the Christian to make a choice, but many throughout history understood that an obedient Christian must always obey God over man. Yes, you will probably suffer some consequences for obeying God, but He has always stood with the Christian who did right and against those who hurt His children.

3. Pray for those in authority.

Daniel didn’t just keep a right spirit, but as mentioned previously, he prayed for the king. I believe it is important that you pray for every authority. God has the power to move upon the heart of the authority to do the right thing. If we pray for those in authority before situations like this exist, maybe God will intercede and help us avoid these situations.

4. Keep obeying God’s Word.

Just because some laws contradict God’s Word doesn’t give us permission to stop obeying God. When the Apostles were commanded to stop speaking the name of Jesus, they said in Acts 5:29, “…We ought to obey God rather than men.” Nobody ever said that it would be easy serving the LORD. I’m sure Ms. Davis never thought she would have to go to jail for her faith when she got saved, but she has proven so far that she is going to obey God’s law over man’s. You need to determine now that if you are faced with the same difficult decision that you are going to obey God.

5. Call and email your representatives to voice your opinion.

Other than prayer, the best way to turn these situations back in our favor is to continually call and email your state and federal representatives to give your opinion on these situations. You may think they don’t pay attention, but they do. They want to get reelected. It doesn’t take many people for them to notice what their constituents think. The problem is that Christians have been AWOL in their duties as citizens. Shame on us! If you stay silent, you have no right to complain.

6. Be aggressive in reaching the lost for Christ.

Nothing changes a society in a greater way than people getting saved. If you are not a personal soul winner then you are a part of the problem and not a part of the solution. When Christ enters into the heart of an individual, He changes their behavior as is very evident in the case of Ms. Davis. The more we avoid reaching the lost, the more we contribute to the loss of our religious freedoms.

This case is just the beginning of many more to come if Christians continue to live apathetic Christian lives. It’s time for Christians to rise to the occasion and follow the example given by Daniel so we can turn this around. It will not be an easy battle, and it won’t be a battle that is won overnight; however, God can do a work to change the hearts of the hardest people if we will simply do our part and obey Him. Let me encourage you by leaving you with this verse from 1 John 4:4, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

by: Allen Domelle

The first Republican presidential debate is finally over and people are speculating as to who won the debate. I’m always amused how pundits come out after a debate and declare a candidate’s presidential run over. The one thing that is clear after this debate is that no candidate is out of the race.

The debate itself was a whopping success if you look at it from a viewership standpoint. According to Nielsen Media Research, 24 million people watched the debate. That is more people than the seventh game of last year’s MLB World Series. I think this clearly shows that people are engaged in this next presidential election and can’t wait for a change in Washington, D.C.

Since the presidential debate, I have had several people ask me about my thoughts on the debate. Let me give you several thoughts that I took away from this debate.

1. Fox News is NOT Fair and Balanced.

From the very first question, it was clear they were out for Donald Trump’s blood. Brett Baier set the stage for the night by asking the candidates if they would promise to forego an independent run if they lost in the primaries. This was clearly aimed at Donald Trump and everyone knew it. Megyn Kelly showed her unprofessionalism and angst for Trump through her attitude and questioning. Chris Wallace showed his ignorance of bankruptcy laws and the common practice of businessmen claiming business bankruptcy to reestablish a business by negotiating debt with a bank.

For the first half of the debate, it was clear this panel was out to assassinate the character of each candidate. They asked questions about the past to corner each candidate about something that wasn’t politically correct. It was as if they were trying to smear the candidates instead of allowing them to tell us their vision for this country. You would have thought this panel would be very interested in how they might defeat Hillary Clinton or undo the damage President Obama has caused this country, but they didn’t.

Moreover, the panel failed miserably because they forgot that the debate was not about them but about the presidential candidates. Only one candidate spoke 10 minutes in this 2-hour event compared to the 30+ minutes that the panel spoke. The rest of the candidate averaged a little over a measly 5 minutes. If the panel had done their job, then we would be talking about the candidates’ positions and not about the panel. Sadly, they thought they were the show. What can be taken away from how this panel handled the debate is that there was nothing fair or balanced about their approach.

2. The Republicans have a deep bench from which to pull.

Though I clearly don’t agree with some of the candidates, I believe it is obvious that the Republican field is deep. Not only are there plenty of candidates to choose from, but there are plenty of good candidates who are young and can contribute to conservatism for many years to come.

3. The media doesn’t understand the anger of the American people.

I am amused at watching the media constantly predict the demise of Donald Trump. I’m not endorsing him or any other candidate, but he has channeled the anger of the American people into his campaign. What the media and the political establishment doesn’t understand is that Americans are tired of their manipulation which seems to only benefit them and worsen America’s future. What I have noticed is that the more they attack Mr. Trump and what he does, the more it galvanizes and drives people to back him because they feel that they finally have a voice from the outside that will represent them. As long as they push their middle-of-the-road politicians, which is obvious, they will continue to anger the majority of those who are tired of the moderate or liberal politician.

4. There is no perfect candidate, but they are all better than what the Democrats offer.

One thing is very clear, there is no perfect candidate. By the way, there never will be because everyone is a sinner. However, every one of the candidates who stood on the stage last Thursday night are far better than anyone the Democrats have offered. If you are looking for the perfect candidate, then you will continually be disappointed.

5. The candidates who championed small government and the Constitution were the biggest winners.

Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Carly Fiorina, Ben Carson, Scott Walker and Donald Trump seemed to be the biggest winners in this debate. Of course, this is a personal viewpoint, but I think in the days ahead we will see these candidates rising in the polls. I believe the reason they will rise in the polls is because the Republicans are tired of the rhino Republicans who run the party. The American people are tired of Karl Rove and Charles Krauthammer continually suggesting their liberal Republicans who promise everything and deliver nothing.

HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS RESPOND?

1. They should pray for God to give us the right leader.

Daniel 2:21 says, “And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:” We should be praying that God doesn’t give us what we deserve, and we should be praying for His mercy. We should pray that He will give us someone who will help turn the tide back towards conservative and biblical principles. God has always given nations a chance to return, and with all that America has done in the past few years to anger Him, we need His mercy. God can help the right candidate to get elected, so start praying now.

2. Be engaged.

One of the things that has greatly disturbed me over the past few years is how little Christians know about the political landscape. Christians have no right to whine about what is going on in our country if they are not willing to get engaged with what is happening with our freedoms. Esther was warned by Mordecai about being engaged with laws that had been enacted. Mordecai said in Esther 4:14, “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Every Christian alive has been placed on this Earth at this moment “for such a time as this.” Don’t be so disengaged that you don’t know who to vote for when the primaries start.

3. Encourage others to start studying the candidates now.

Edmund Burke said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” I’m afraid that we are in our present condition because we have been afraid to engage in dialogue with others about politics. I know that Christians commonly think that we need to stay busy soul winning and building our churches instead of being engaged in politics. I’m thankful that the Danville Baptists didn’t have that mentality when they were asked to assist in the writing of the Bill of Rights. Certainly, Christians shouldn’t forsake their duties as a Christian in reaching the lost, but if we don’t encourage others to stay engaged then we could lose the freedoms we currently have to publicly witness. These freedoms are slowly being taken away because too many Christians have put their head in the sand when it comes to what is going on in the political realm.

4. Give candidates a chance to grow.

2 Peter 3:18 says, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ…” If God gives Christians space to grow, then we should give those who are running for public office a chance to grow. With the mentality of many Christians today, Ronald Reagan would have never been elected as President. He made some decisions as Governor of California that were contrary to biblical and conservative beliefs, but he grew. Don’t completely count out a candidate just because they had some questionable positions in the past. You need to be more concerned with their direction than their position. If their direction has consistently moved toward conservatism, then don’t discredit their position believing that they are only moving to the right so they can get elected. If they have consistently moved in the right direction over the years, then credit this movement to growth.

Over the next few months, several things will change and many of those running for President will drop out. I believe if you follow these suggestions that you will be able to make an educated vote on election day.

by: Allen Domelle

The legalization of same-sex marriage by the Supreme Court in no way finalizes the battle on what constitutes a marriage. The justices ruled 5-4 that states cannot deny sodomites their right to marriage. Justices Anthony M. Kennedy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan voted in favor for the legalization of this abomination.

The response to this ruling has been polarizing. President Obama lit up the White House in rainbow colors to commemorate the ruling. This is strange because in 2008 his remarks concerning same-sex marriage were strikingly different when he said, “I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage.” Either he lied then, which would not be beyond this president’s ability as seen throughout his tenure, or he has allowed the pressure of the sodomite community to compromise his beliefs.

Pastors, this term is used loosely, from many denominations also celebrated the ruling. Several pastors signed a letter stating their approval of this ruling and condemned others for being discriminatory against LGBTQ people around the world. Others have said that now we can celebrate love to its fullest.

Just because SCOTUS has ruled that same-sex marriage must be legalized does not mean that God looks at this sin any differently. The Scriptures are still very plain concerning sodomy. Leviticus 18:22 says, “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” The word “abomination” according to the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary means, “Extreme hatred; detestation, defilement or pollution.” In other words, the Scriptures make it very clear that this is not a same-sex marriage, but it is a SAME-SEX SIN. This lifestyle is hated and detested by God. In fact, this lifestyle is not a celebration of love, but a hatred for God because the Scriptures say, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

According to the Scriptures, sodomy is not the result of an enlightened society, but the result of a reprobate society. Look at what the Scriptures teach in the Book of Romans concerning the sodomite lifestyle:

Romans 1:22, “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,”

Romans 1:24 “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:”

Romans 1:26 “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:”

Romans 1:27 “And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.”

Romans 1:28 “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;”

God very clearly defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

Genesis 2:24, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”

The man in this verse was Adam and the wife is Eve. God made it explicit in Genesis that marriage is between a man and a woman. He further settles the definition of marriage in the New Testament.

Matthew 19:5, “And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?”

Mark 10:7, “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;”

Ephesians 5:31, “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.”

The word “wife” in the Scriptures is defined as a married woman. God clearly defines marriage as between a man and a woman. Trying to redefine what God defined is simply spitting in the face of God.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

What SCOTUS ruled was in direct contradiction to the Scriptures. These five justices may think they have the power to redefine God’s definition and institution of marriage, but the only thing they did was pronounce judgment against themselves and our nation.

God said that He would destroy Sodom and Gomorrah “Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;” (Genesis 18:20)

We see that God followed through on this promise in Genesis 19:24, “Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;”

Apparently a loving God does not love the sodomite lifestyle!

God shows His disgust of this lifestyle in Leviticus 20:13 when He says, “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” I know this is not politically correct, but these are not my words but God’s.

God goes further in the same chapter to show what He did to nations that accepted the sodomite lifestyle in Leviticus 20:23 when He says, “And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.”

Yes, God abhors the sodomite lifestyle, and He abhors the ruling of SCOTUS. In essence, SCOTUS declared judgment against themselves and our nation by allowing this abominable union to be legalized.

WHAT DO WE DO AS CHRISTIANS?

Psalm 11:3 asks a valid question, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” God gives us some very valid advice in this Psalm of what we should do in light of this ruling.

1. Realize that God is still in control.

Psalm 11:4 says, “The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.” God has not lost control even though our society has pushed Him out. Too many Christians seem to be in despair when they need to realize that God is in control and we just need to keep our eyes upon Him.

2. Realize that God will judge the wicked.

It is not our place to do God’s work. God makes it very clear what He will do to those who promote this abominable lifestyle in Psalm 11:6, “Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.” Let the Scriptures put all of those on notice who accept and promote this lifestyle that God will judge you. You don’t need to worry about me or any other person who do not accept this ruling or lifestyle, because you will have to personally deal with God, and that won’t end well for you.

3. Remember that God rewards the righteous.

In spite of this ruling, God’s people should continue to do right. Psalm 11:5 says, “The LORD trieth the righteous…” You just need to do right yourself. You need to keep your life pure. You need to keep your mind clean. You need to obey God and let Him take care of judgment. You need to aggressively keep going after the souls of men. This is what changes a nation.

4. Boldly stand against same-sex sin and the sodomite lifestyle.

Psalm 11:7 says, “For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.” The word “righteousness” means, “righteous acts.” In other words, God loves it when His people do what is right. Let this verse be an encouragement as you boldly stand against sodomy and same-sex sin. Don’t let the political correct society cause you to back down to this awful and horrible sin. It is not homosexuality, it is sodomy. People are not born this way, they choose to be this way. It is not discriminatory to call them out, because their chosen lifestyle is an abomination. Christian, call it what it is!

As an American citizen, vote against any person who accepts this abominable lifestyle. The voting booth is where your voice is clearly heard. If enough people will do what they are supposed to do, then we can show at the voting booth what we feel about their acceptance of this sinful lifestyle. It doesn’t matter what party platform they choose, it is still wrong. We must never stop letting our voice be heard that we are against same-sex sin.

Peter Domelle 1915-2015
by: Allen Domelle

This past Monday, Peter Domelle, my grandfather, went home to be with the LORD. He was one of the people who greatly influenced my life. He lived to the golden age of 100, and was part of the generation that is called the greatest generation.

His generation was a last of a kind. His generation faced both World Wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and both wars in the Middle East. They knew what it meant to bury their loved ones and care for those who came back with scars from each war. They endured the Great Depression and learned the importance of saving for a rainy day. They lived simply, and most of that generation never had their hand out expecting their nation to do something for them; rather, they asked what they could do for their nation. My grandfather was a part of the last of a kind generation.

If you were to ask every one of my grandfather’s grandkids about one memory, each would bring up a 1937 Farmall tractor that he kept in their barn. Whenever any of the grandchildren would go to visit them at their farm house, he would eventually take us out to the old red tractor, literally crank it to start it, and then have the grandkids sit on his lap as we rode around the farm enjoying the ride. That Farmall tractor was just like my grandfather, a last of a kind. Just like that ride on the Farmall tractor will always be remembered and missed, so will my grandfather be fondly remembered and greatly missed.

The Bible says in Romans 13:7, “…honour to whom honour…” In other words, those who deserve the honor should be honored. The Scriptures also ask in Proverbs 20:6, “…but a faithful man who can find?” My grandfather certainly is worthy of both of those verses being dedicated to his life. A few things stand out to me about my grandfather that I believe this generation desperately needs to remember and copy.

First, he understood the words, “Till death do us part.” He and my grandmother were married for 72 years before she passed. He told me on several occasions that they made a vow to each other and to God, and that no matter what they faced, they determined to stay married until death. In a day when people look to divorce as the easy way out, my grandfather and his generation understood the importance of marriage. They knew that marriage was between a man and a woman, and never questioned that definition for anything else was absurd. They understood the impact that marriage has on the family unit, and they understood the importance that the family unit has on the society. I’m thankful that I had grandparents who loved each other enough to be faithful to each other, and forsake all others so that future generations could look back and see the importance of the marriage vow and institution.

Second, my grandfather gave me a heritage of hard work. He not only worked in the steel mills in the Chicagoland region for 40 years, but he also farmed his land to pay the bills. In a day when hard work is rare, I’m thankful for my grandfather who gave me an example of hard work. His generation didn’t look for an easier way, they just found a way to make it work. Instead of running to the government with hand out, they lived simply, pinched pennies, worked hard and found ways to make money so the bills could be paid. They never complained about the simplicity of their lifestyle, it was just how they lived. It was that hard working mentality that paved the way for the generations to come to enjoy the pleasantries we enjoy today.

Third, my grandfather also gave me an example of enjoying family. We live in times when people get so busy that they often times forget to spend time with those nearest to them. One of my memories of my grandparents is always seeing them together. They were busy, but they were not too busy for each other. They loved their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. They often traveled to wherever we lived so they could spend time with us. They truly enjoyed the life that God had given to them. Instead of getting busy with extra-curricular activities that pulled them away from family, they always found time to spend time with their family, and they always did things together as husband and wife.

My grandfather will be sorely missed, as he is that last of a kind generation that I could always go to for a reminder of what America used to be when she was that one nation under God. I’m thankful that the Lord allowed me to enjoy him for so long, but would you let his life influence you in these three areas? You only have one life to live, and if you will follow these three things you will find that you will leave behind a great example for future generations to live up to just as my grandfather did.

by: Allen Domelle

Governor Mike Huckabee responded to a question concerning the NSA bulk phone data collection program on Fox News by saying, “We are not a nation of feelings.” At first I thought this response would give ammunition to his critics, but he completed his thought as I continued to listen to the interview. He said that America is a nation of laws. America is supposed to be a nation of right and wrong dictated by the US Constitution and the collection of data would be constitutionally wrong without a warrant.

Unfortunately, we seem to have become a nation that decides what we are going to do based off feelings. The abortion battle is mainly based off the feeling that a woman has a right to do with her body what she wants with no consideration of the life that was conceived at conception. Some in this battle don’t take into consideration that the 5th and 14th Amendment of the Constitution protects anyone from being “deprived of life.”

The universal healthcare battle is largely based off the feelings that everyone deserves healthcare. This sounds and feels good, but it doesn’t take into consideration that Congress only has the authority to “regulate commerce” and not mandate commerce.

The marriage battle has sadly become a battle of feelings. Many are trying to say that same sex partners should have the same rights as those who are married. They try to play to the feelings of the American people by shaming them into accepting that sodomites were born that way which is in direct contradiction to the Word of God. First, God, not government, instituted marriage. God made it very clear that marriage is between a man and woman. Second, homosexuality is not a gender, it’s a wicked lifestyle. Same sex marriage would not even be a consideration if we chose to follow God’s Word and not man’s feelings.

Politicians set their platforms by how it affects the feelings of the voter instead of what the Constitution dictates. They promise things in their campaigns that constitutionally cannot be given. They do this because they try to legislate off feelings and not by law.

Most of this current attack against the police forces nationwide is based off the feeling that police are prejudiced against blacks which is totally false. Most police personnel are law abiding citizens who are trying to keep the communities in which they live safe from criminals. If the Justice Department would stop inciting the feelings of race and let each case be judged by law, then none of the recent riots would have happened.

The problem with making feelings the guide for what a nation does is that feelings change. What feels right today will not feel right tomorrow. Feelings are at the core of all injustice. If America continues down the road of making laws based off feelings, then she will cease to be a free nation. Freedom can only endure when nations follow the rule of law and not the dictate of feelings.

I’m reminded of a story in the Scriptures when a man based his decisions off feelings. Isaac wanted to give the birthright to Esau. When Rebekah heard what Isaac was going to do, she conceived a plan to have Jacob deceive his father so he could get the birthright. Jacob was concerned that his father would know he was being deceived because Esau was a hairy man and Jacob was not.

In order to deceive Isaac, Jacob’s mother had him dress in Esau’s clothing and put goat skins on his neck, hands and arms. When Isaac felt that he was being deceived, instead of basing his decision on what he knew was right, he depended upon his feelings. Genesis 27:22 says, “And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” Because he based his decision off feelings, he gave the birthright to the wrong son.

America will give away its “birthright” of God’s blessings if it continues to make decisions off feelings. The President and our country’s lawmakers cannot make laws just because they feel good, but they must make and enforce laws based according to our Constitution. We are a nation of laws, and when we cease to be a nation of laws then we will cease to be a free nation. Freedom will only continue as long as we allow our laws to rule us and not our feelings.

Let me take this further into our churches. If pastors start basing what they do off feelings, then they will cease to stand for truth. What God’s Word tells us to do is not always going to feel good. Many youth today want to feel Christianity, but you don’t feel Christianity you live Christianity.

When I go to the doctor, I don’t want the doctor to make me feel good, I want the doctor to prescribe what he knows will make me healthy. Just because the atmosphere in the doctors office might feel good doesn’t mean that the doctor is good. Sometimes, the best doctors are not always going to have the best personality, but you don’t go to the doctor to have him pat you on the back and tell you how good you are. You go to the doctor so they can help you to get well.

When people change church so that it will make them feel good, then they will forsake the preachers who tell the truth which contributes to living a happy and joyful life. Certainly, we should do our best not to run people off, but just because something doesn’t always feel good doesn’t mean that it is wrong. Good feelings are the result of doing right. It doesn’t always feel good to make yourself go soul winning, but it feels good when you see someone get saved. It doesn’t always feel good to get up every Saturday to go visit your bus route, but it feels good when you see a bus kid turn out for God and serve Him as an adult. It doesn’t always feel good to live a separated life through biblical standards, but it feels good to keep a strong marriage and have children who are pure when they get married.

Feelings cannot be what you seek after in Christianity. I’m afraid too many in the younger generation have unjustly condemned those from the past as not having services where God moves. We like the results of God’s moving in the past, but don’t discount what they did just because you don’t think how they did something “felt good.” You are supposed to do right because it’s right to do and not because it feels good.

If our nation is going to continue to be great, then we must get back to being a nation of laws and base all actions and decisions off those laws. If churches are going to continue to be great, then they must be a church that bases all actions, methods and decisions on God’s Word. Culture and feelings cannot be the basis for our decisions. If you base what you do off feelings, you will end up giving your birthright to another.

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: Allen Domelle

In the wake of the riots in Baltimore, there needs to be a call for common sense. Never in my lifetime have I seen such a void of common sense from leaders and news commentators. It is not hard to see that much of what happened in Baltimore could have been averted had the leaders involved used some common sense.

I was watching some of the news coverage on Fox News, when Shepherd Smith kept on insinuating that these people were looting and destroying the city because they were frustrated from the years of “mistreatment” by their local police and politicians. When others tried to help Smith out of his misguided and ignorant statements, he continued on his rant that these riots were caused by years of mistreatment. No, it is the empty mentality that Mr. Smith exhibited that has contributed to these types of acts.

The lack of leadership given by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was atrocious. For a leader to stand while her city was about to be destroyed by thugs and say, “…we also gave those who wished to destroy space to do that as well…”  is unconscionable. What was she thinking? Giving space for people to break laws, put lives in danger and allow thugs to break into stores and burn down a city is negligence.

There needs to be a call for common sense when it comes to authorities dealing with crime. Just because there may have been injustices in the past does not mean that we allow crime to go on today. Giving people space to destroy is ludicrous. It is time that the race rhetoric is set aside and leaders start using common sense in decision making. Common sense says that police must be given the authority to deal with criminal behavior. Romans 13:4 says, “For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” Common sense tells us that when the police don’t have the authority to make an arrest when people are breaking crimes, then the chaos that happened in Baltimore will happen every time. Whoever gave the police the order to stand down doesn’t have the common sense to lead and should lose their job.

Moreover, there needs to be a call for common sense in reporting. Instead of news reporters like Shepherd Smith ramping up the rhetoric based off one interview, he should have simply reported that criminals were running the streets. Proverbs 26:4 says, “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.” Stop giving the criminals the time they want on national television. There were innocent victims who lost their livelihoods because criminals looted stores and burnt businesses down. These people had nothing to do with the supposed reason they were rioting. Any reporter giving credence to these actions has no business being in front of the American people.

Furthermore, there needs to be a call for common sense in dealing with mistreatment and injustice. Burning down businesses, looting stored, injuring policemen and running the streets is not how you let your grievance be heard. These actions silence the message of injustice. Violence is not the voice of reason. You don’t break the law to show how others are breaking laws. There is no justification to the actions that happened on Monday night. If people want things to change in their neighborhood, then stop voting the same people in who have contributed to the injustice for all these years. Stop voting people in who choose their party of their citizens. Let your voice be heard in a peaceful manner instead of silencing your message with violence.

Moreover, there needs to be a call for common sense on how to get out of poverty. If those young people are taught to work hard for what they get, then you will find them leaving the life of crime for making money. God says, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10) The entitlement mentality only contributes to more nights of chaos like we saw in Baltimore. When people work hard for what they get, they are less likely to burn down a business that they worked to build.

I’m all for justice when crime has been committed. Certainly, if a crime was committed that caused Freddie Gray to lose his life, then those who committed the crime should be held accountable no matter who they are. However, blaming the unruly actions of thugs on what happened to Mr. Gray is senseless. People with common sense don’t act this way. Even the family of Mr. Gray begged people not to use their son as a cause for thuggery. If those in leadership and news coverage will once again start using common sense instead of rhetoric and irresponsible coverage, then we will see fewer incidents like we saw in Baltimore on Monday night.

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.