David Buffaloe

commented on Nov 3, 2012

I decree to Gospel of Salvation

Kim Moeller

commented on Nov 3, 2012

God decrees that His people should care for the least of these...the sick, the elderly, the poor, the disenfranchised, tand those without a voice...values that go far beyond abortion, marriage equality, and Israel.

David Nuhfer

commented on Nov 3, 2012

I agree that we need to take care of the "least of these." I include the unborn in that list, so abortion is an important issue, as are the sanctity of God's intent for marriage as being between a man and a woman as well as our relationship as a nation with Israel.

Jeff Glenn

commented on Nov 3, 2012

I also decree and yes, as a pastor, I take a stand in the pulpit for biblical principles whether they're popular or not.

Ojang Ngwa Stephen

commented on Nov 3, 2012

It may be there's something really wrong with the church today. I find that politicians talk more of politics. Making reference to every thing that concerns politics. Same with the businessman, also with the teacher. The layer talks more on law and crime. The Mininster (Man of God) has embraced both and all or do we say consumed in the whole mess. Many preachers today want to talk about everything leaving behind his vocation. What I have come to realize today is that, few or no pastor talks more on God, Jesus Christ and the word. It was not so in the days of the Prophets and the Apostles. What is comon among us today is (self interest,complains, envy,hatrate which leads to mistrust. The Apostle Paul says "It aught not to be so bretheren" It is like most of us have come into the service through the back door. These are they who do nothing but complain and talk more of abstract things than the reality which is the word.

Miguel Monge Jr.

commented on Nov 3, 2012

II decree to live those initiatives for Christ. To preach these truths from the pulpit and of life. Pastor mike

Ty Bradley

commented on Nov 3, 2012

As a Bible-believing pastor I decree that marriage equality is necessary to protect the dignity of all those made in the imago dei in any nation that "holds these truths to be self-evident" I decree that only a message of "defending life" that speaks as loud and as often for the lives of the hungry and sick poor and those whom the government would kill in the name of justice as it speaks for the life of the unborn is a legitimate expression of unhypocritical Christian worldview. I decree that Israel is a strategic ally who should be respected and treated the same as any other strategic ally, but called out for its equal part in this senseless struggle with the Palestinians that continues to erode global stability. I decree that a true biblical perspective does not concern itself with Israel's needs to any greater degree than it would any of the developing nations where people are hurting and exploited because of a globalized and systemic marginalization that promotes a world where a few have more than they need and most don't have nearly enough. I decree that "Christianized" political conservatism in America is a heretical and apostate force of The Accuser that is every bit a threat to the health and vibrancy of the Bride of Christ as is any external force in the world today.

Tom Matic

commented on Nov 3, 2012

This is a very sensitive topic. And the answer is not easy because the issue is complex. First and foremost, we have the example of Jesus our Lord per the gospel accounts. If His message was "political" at all, it was focused on the proclamation that the kingdom of God is "at hand", notwithstanding the fact that the political issue facing the nation then was the Roman imperial occupation. Surely, the desire of every Jew then was their nation's liberation from the Roman yoke. But when he was tempted by the Pharisees if it was right to pay taxes to Caesar - in other words, support the occupation by their payment of taxes - we know what our Lord said: Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. He left if to each one's conscience how he worked out that principle. The Christian gospel embraces so many other issues than just abortion. What about taking care of the poor and needy, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick? Or the promotion of peace (beatitudes)? Or to whom much is given, much is required? Doesn't it say in James: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." How about selling all one's property and giving to the poor, and then come, follow Jesus? Or loving one's enemies? Or he that has no sin should cast the first stone? On the issue of abortion, or same-sex marriage, are evangelical Christians trying to conveniently win by legislation what it is supposed to win (but now seems to be losing) by the harder work of sharing the gospel? Mormonism is a pernicious heresy. Doesn't Galatians declare a curse on those that preach a different gospel? Are Mormon "values" really the same as Christian values when they spring from from such radically different, conflicting roots? Watch these videos from a Mormon turned Christian Shawn McCraney http://www.youtube.com/user/testskriftene?feature=g- all-u How about the Jerusalem that is above to whom we Christians belong versus promoting "the present city of Jerusalem who is in slavery with her children". (Galatians 4:24-26). There are other angles but the above gives a glimpse of the many- sidedness of this question. So, yes, it's good to take a stand on the pulput on the political issues of the day, but as in everything else in the ministry, it should be done responsibly, in humility, and in balance according to the whole counsel of the Scriptures.

John Newsom

commented on Nov 3, 2012

It is important as pastors that we keep in mind that our primary mission is to bring people to Christ, not create a "moral" society. Jesus came to bring humanity to himself and have people live from the heart of Jesus. You could find good values in both parties and you could find immoral vales in both parties. So no matter what our preference in the election is, we should emphasize that no candidate or party comes even close to the power of the gospel to transform. It may be attractive to promote a political agenda to ban this or that, but does that bring hearts closer to Jesus. Certainly we hope for a more just and godly society, but start with Jesus, not with politics. I think John 8:1-11 is illustrative of how Jesus might view the sins we think are so important in society. I think he might tell us the whole system is corrupt. Our emphasis should be more Jesus, not more legalism.

John Newsom

commented on Nov 3, 2012

It is important as pastors that we keep in mind that our primary mission is to bring people to Christ, not create a "moral" society. Jesus came to bring humanity to himself and have people live from the heart of Jesus. You could find good values in both parties and you could find immoral vales in both parties. So no matter what our preference in the election is, we should emphasize that no candidate or party comes even close to the power of the gospel to transform. It may be attractive to promote a political agenda to ban this or that, but does that bring hearts closer to Jesus. Certainly we hope for a more just and godly society, but start with Jesus, not with politics. I think John 8:1-11 is illustrative of how Jesus might view the sins we think are so important in society. I think he might tell us the whole system is corrupt. Our emphasis should be more Jesus, not more legalism.

Zachary Bartels

commented on Nov 3, 2012

Ray, PLEASE listen to this lecture http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=71121445382 . It can help you to understand the proper distinction between the two ages/two kingdoms. I will be preaching repentance and the forgiveness of sins in Jesus' name.

Mitchell Crow

commented on Nov 3, 2012

I believe as an American Pastor of a small Church in the Northwest part of GA, that God established this Great Land we call America for many reasons. One reason is that we are to be the Voice of the Living God through Jesus Christ our Lord promoting the Gospel and preaching the Truth of the Lord. This truth is mankind's only hope to live an eternal life with Jehovah God our creator. This Truth is that mankind is born a sinner in need of a Great Savior Jesus Christ our Lord. This Truth is that mankind as good as he is will never merit enough favor with God to go to heaven. This Truth is that only a spotless Lamb our Lord Jesus could die and pay our sin debt and truly satisfy God for the remission of sin and the redemption of man. This Truth is that the only way that we can receive this forgiveness is to by faith (believing is something we can't see or touch) and accept this message of the Gospel and ask God to forgive us of our sins. This Truth is that we are to turn or repent of our sins and now whole heartedly follow and seek God and learn his ways. This Truth is now that we have become a Christian we are to be baptized in water fully submerged and come forth telling our story as a first hand witness of the life changing new creation that Jesus Christ has done for you and me. Thank God we our now Called and are Christians and will go to heaven when we pass from this world. Many more reasons on another day. God Bless.

Chris Surber

commented on Nov 3, 2012

Amen Ty.

Ralph M

commented on Nov 6, 2012

(Ralph) The use of the term 'religion,' in our modern dictionaries, is far more general than its use by our American Founders. Here is the modern definition of the term: "A set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs." But that is not how our Founders defined 'religion' when they spoke of it in most cases. To illustrate, here is the definition of 'religion' from Noah Webster?s 1828 American-English Dictionary: "Religion, in its most comprehensive sense, includes a belief in the being and perfections of God, in the revelation of his will to man, in man?s obligation to obey his commands, in a state of reward and punishment, and in man?s accountableness to God; and also true godliness or piety of life, with the practice of all moral duties. It therefore comprehends theology, as a system of doctrines or principles, as well as practical piety; for the practice of moral duties without a belief in a divine lawgiver, and without reference to his will or commands, is not religion." Quite a different stand from what even many churches stand by, alone. Noah Webster actually had 5 definitions of 'religion', and in those days the numbers revealed the importance. The number 5 definition was," The rites of religion; in the plural. How curious that the least used sense of the term has become the most-used definition today!...So, to answer our dilemma, with this information in mind, let us turn to Benjamin Rush:"The form of government we have assumed has created a new class of duties to every American. It becomes us, therefore ? to enquire what mode of education we shall adopt so as to secure to the state all the advantages that are to be derived from the proper instruction of youth; and here I beg leave to remark, that the only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments..." Founding Father Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration of Independence and "father of American education" brings things in perspective. "I have been alternately called an aristocrat and a democrat. I am now neither. I am a Christocrat. I believe all power ? will always fail of producing order and happiness in the hands of man. He (God) alone who created and redeemed man (from satan)is qualified to govern him (mankind)." Noah Webster warned that without proper instruction, over time, the next generations would get lazy, and Gods purpose over man would get lost, via values, morals, politics and lack of personal responsibility. "?The Education of youth, an employment of more consequence than making laws and preaching the gospel, because it lays the foundation on which both law and gospel rest for success; this Education is sunk to a level with the most menial services. In most instances we find the higher seminaries of learning intrusted to men of good characters, and possessed of moral virtues and social affections. But many of our inferior schools, which, so far as the heart is concerned, are as important as colleges, are kept by men of no breeding, and many of them, by men infamous for the most detestable vices." There are a lot of 'Christians', who use 'Render to Caesar',when the simplicity of Jesus just pointing out what man chooses to purchase, and what that purchases...and what God purchased with sending a part of Himself to us, to purchase our entirety...then leaving up to decide, as individuals, whether we accept that purchase from God, or rather the purchase of the value man deems over God.

Michael Rohrer

commented on Nov 7, 2012

I just decree

Michael Rohrer

commented on Nov 7, 2012

I just decree