On May 3, Donald Trump was victorious in the Indiana primary. The Ted Cruz and John Kasich campaigns each called it quits.
What does this political outcome tell us?
Dr. Michael Brown, on May 4, 2016, published an opinion piece entitled, "Donald Trump the National Enquirer President". His full article appears at the following link: http://barbwire.com/2016/05/04/donald-trump-national-enquirer-president
He begins the article, “It is altogether fitting that Donald Trump became the all-but-certain presidential nominee of the Republican Party on the same day that he cited the ridiculous allegations of the National Enquirer that Ted Cruz’s father, Rafael, had involvement in the assassination of JFK.
“This is not so much an indictment on Trump as it is an indictment on the American people. God could well be giving us exactly what we deserve.”
Dr. Brown then speaks of where we are at as a people, “I have no desire to be right; I do have an intense desire to see America blessed; and I would far rather say, “I was so wrong about Donald Trump,” than say, “I told you so!”
“That being said, it appears today in America that God has given us over to delusion, a phenomenon mentioned several times in the Bible when God takes away a people’s moral and spiritual sensibilities as a judgment on their sin.
“In other words, because people reject Him and His standards, He says, “Go ahead then. Have at it,” further pushing us into our folly.”
Proverbs 29:2 tells us, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” If we look at the conduct of the presidential candidates, it appears there is to be more groaning in our future than rejoicing.
The Apostle Paul spoke of a society’s condition when God is rejected in Romans 1:28 “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting. . . .” Have we been given over to a debased mindset?
Dr. Brown describes our condition, “That seems to be the only way to explain how we are suddenly at the point in America where people are saying there’s nothing wrong with grown men using women’s locker rooms and bathrooms and where states like California have ruled that boys who identify as girls can play on the girls’ sports teams and share their shower stalls and changing areas.
“This is cultural insanity, yet many are too blind to see.
“How else do we explain college students telling a young Caucasian man that if he identifies as a woman, he is; if he identifies as Chinese, he is; if he identifies as a 7-year-old, he is – but if he identifies as 6’ 5” he is not – how else do we explain this unless we have been given over to a spirit of delusion?
“I see the Trump candidacy in the same way.
“Tens of millions of Americans are not put off by his blatant, well-documented lying.
“Tens of millions of Americans are not put off by his consistent practice of vile character assassination for the purpose of political gain.
“Tens of millions of Americans are not put off by his vulgarity and profanity.
“Tens of millions of Americans are not put off by his ignorance of critical issues and his complete flip-flopping of major positions.”
The last four points made are they not warning signs about a presidential candidate? And yet no one heeds! Interestingly, we could do a similar analysis of other presidential candidates.
One final quote, “And he has masterfully appealed to American fears and anger – fears of terrorism, fears of economic collapse, anger with the political system, anger with American weakness – to the point that his supporters are looking to him as a quasi-savior figure. Only he can get the job done!
“But in almost any other time in American history, Trump’s negatives would have so outweighed his positives that he would have quickly disqualified himself as a candidate.
“Not today.”
Noting this current situation in regard to American leadership, should we be surprised by what is on the horizon?
The Apostle John was able to see an evil political figure that will arise at the end of the age, “So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.” (Revelation 13:4-7).
As our world unravels, we have the anchor of the Sabbath, which reminds us that the King of kings, and Lord of lords is coming to reign in righteousness (Revelation 19:11).
May God hasten the day.
Gary Smith
Showing posts with label Leadership. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leadership. Show all posts
Friday, May 13, 2016
Friday, August 7, 2015
What Kind of Leader Does Our Nation Need?
A thought we might consider this week comes in light of the Republican presidential debate held this week.
I was watching a discussion among voters who had volunteered to be a part of a group gathered by pollster, Frank Luntz. I was struck by what some voters had to say about the candidates and religion.
It was noted that one of those running for the highest office in the land appears to be quite religious. He allows his Christian religion to enter into his speech and to be reflected in the policies he would promote. The majority of the audience felt that it was unacceptable to mix politics and religion.
It was mentioned that one’s religion was to remain private and there was no need for a president to reflect his religion at all. In fact, it was said that religion was not really needed because of the inherent goodness of the American people.
My point in mentioning this is that if a president’s religion is to remain in private would it be a positive outcome for the nation?
Consider the fact that George Washington was notably religious. You cannot read his writings and not make note of that. He may not have had complete understanding of God and His great plan, but George Washington knew the importance of biblical morality, honesty, and integrity. He lived by many true principles and the nation was enhanced by it.
A second example is found in Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was not the perfect Christian, but he reflected upon God, and sought to point the nation toward God as President during one
of the most trying times in history. What could be more religious than to call for a national day of prayer requesting that the God of the Bible would save the nation torn apart by war?
One only has to examine the great leaders of the Bible to note that the greatest leaders of the nation of Israel were those who were closest to God. They were not perfect leaders, but their example helped the nation of Israel stay on track during their time of rule. It’s interesting to note what happened to Israel upon the death of a faithful man leading the nation. The outcome was rarely good.
Does our nation need a leader who is a Christian? Does it need a leader who is faithful to God and the people he serves? Does not our nation need a leader who is a true servant? Do we need a leader who is truthful? We need a leader who is all of these things and more. If we had such a leader it would make a huge difference in our nation, but it seems doubtful that such a leader will be raised up at this time.
Thankfully, we know that the leader our nation and the world needs will assume His position as King of Kings and Lord of Lords with the sounding of the seventh trump. His rule will be based upon truth and righteousness. No one will question whether we should have a ruler who is religious. The fruits will be available for the whole world to see.
Happy Sabbath!
Gary Smith
I was watching a discussion among voters who had volunteered to be a part of a group gathered by pollster, Frank Luntz. I was struck by what some voters had to say about the candidates and religion.
It was noted that one of those running for the highest office in the land appears to be quite religious. He allows his Christian religion to enter into his speech and to be reflected in the policies he would promote. The majority of the audience felt that it was unacceptable to mix politics and religion.
It was mentioned that one’s religion was to remain private and there was no need for a president to reflect his religion at all. In fact, it was said that religion was not really needed because of the inherent goodness of the American people.
My point in mentioning this is that if a president’s religion is to remain in private would it be a positive outcome for the nation?
Consider the fact that George Washington was notably religious. You cannot read his writings and not make note of that. He may not have had complete understanding of God and His great plan, but George Washington knew the importance of biblical morality, honesty, and integrity. He lived by many true principles and the nation was enhanced by it.
A second example is found in Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was not the perfect Christian, but he reflected upon God, and sought to point the nation toward God as President during one
of the most trying times in history. What could be more religious than to call for a national day of prayer requesting that the God of the Bible would save the nation torn apart by war?
One only has to examine the great leaders of the Bible to note that the greatest leaders of the nation of Israel were those who were closest to God. They were not perfect leaders, but their example helped the nation of Israel stay on track during their time of rule. It’s interesting to note what happened to Israel upon the death of a faithful man leading the nation. The outcome was rarely good.
Does our nation need a leader who is a Christian? Does it need a leader who is faithful to God and the people he serves? Does not our nation need a leader who is a true servant? Do we need a leader who is truthful? We need a leader who is all of these things and more. If we had such a leader it would make a huge difference in our nation, but it seems doubtful that such a leader will be raised up at this time.
Thankfully, we know that the leader our nation and the world needs will assume His position as King of Kings and Lord of Lords with the sounding of the seventh trump. His rule will be based upon truth and righteousness. No one will question whether we should have a ruler who is religious. The fruits will be available for the whole world to see.
Happy Sabbath!
Gary Smith
Friday, April 3, 2015
Our World Needs Servants Who Will Follow Christ’s Example, Not More Lords
On Tuesday evening of Nisan 14, 31 A.D., Jesus sat down with His disciples to observe the Passover. “When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God” (Luke 22:14-16).
One part of the Passover service is found in John 13. There we find a most meaningful ceremony established. “And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. . . . Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this."
So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:2-7, 12-17).
We might ask, “Why did Jesus wash the feet of His disciples on Passover evening? Why did He take the opportunity to give them an example of service?”
Luke recounts an incident of human nature on display even at the Passover itself. “Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called 'benefactors.' But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves” (Luke 22:24-27).
Christ settled the question of who is the greatest by showing them what a servant is all about. Surely those who were to become the Apostles of Christ were mortified when Christ, their teacher and master, washed their feet and explained that the greatest in the kingdom of God will be the one who serves.
We, who are members, participated in the footwashing ceremony on Thursday evening, and one of the great reminders of that ceremony is that we are to follow Christ’s example of service to all. Christ’s example of service reminds us we don’t need more lords who exercise authority over others. Our world needs servants who will follow Christ’s example and show what true greatness is all about.
Have most pleasant Sabbath, the first day of Unleavened Bread,
Gary Smith
One part of the Passover service is found in John 13. There we find a most meaningful ceremony established. “And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. . . . Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this."
So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:2-7, 12-17).
We might ask, “Why did Jesus wash the feet of His disciples on Passover evening? Why did He take the opportunity to give them an example of service?”
Luke recounts an incident of human nature on display even at the Passover itself. “Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called 'benefactors.' But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves” (Luke 22:24-27).
Christ settled the question of who is the greatest by showing them what a servant is all about. Surely those who were to become the Apostles of Christ were mortified when Christ, their teacher and master, washed their feet and explained that the greatest in the kingdom of God will be the one who serves.
We, who are members, participated in the footwashing ceremony on Thursday evening, and one of the great reminders of that ceremony is that we are to follow Christ’s example of service to all. Christ’s example of service reminds us we don’t need more lords who exercise authority over others. Our world needs servants who will follow Christ’s example and show what true greatness is all about.
Have most pleasant Sabbath, the first day of Unleavened Bread,
Gary Smith
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)