Giving Thanks to the Author of Liberty!

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From the 1621 harvest feast, shared by the Plymouth Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians, to the 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln, America has had much about which to praise and thank our great God.

On this Thanksgiving, we (especially Bible-believing Christians) have a myriad of reasons to turn our hearts and heads heavenward with gratitude.  Most notably, the November 8 elections are a great place to
start.  Almost three weeks removed, the media pundits are still struggling to explain exactly what happened.  For those of us who prayed so specifically and diligently, we have a more than plausible
explanation.  The God of heaven intervened in response to the prayers of His people.  Now, we much not allow our earnest supplications to diminish.  Rather, we must escalate our petitions, that God would grant
His wisdom to the incoming President and administration.  To “drop the ball” now would be an absolute travesty.

More than any reason for unmitigated gratitude is the fact that we have a great salvation available through the person of Jesus Christ.  For those of us who have experienced His redemptive grace, we can/should shout from the house tops our exuberant praise. Salvation ALONE is reason enough for unceasing thanksgiving.

Added to the free gift of salvation from sin and it’s effects, are the innumerable blessings bestowed on us daily–blessings that come directly from the hand of our loving God.  “When upon life’s billows you are
tempest tossed.  When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost.  Count your many blessings, name them one by one.  And, it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.”  That song was a staple in the home in which I grew up.  Though we had very little of this world’s goods, we were incessantly reminded of the incredible goodness of the God we served. Since those days of youth, I have seen God compound His blessings in my life–health, a wonderful wife, three incredible children, countless friends, an international ministry, and rapidly growing opportunities across the nation and around the world.

So, pardon me if I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving for the great things God has done in my life.  Without doubt, He has done the same thing in yours.  So, as tomorrow unfolds, let’s do more than give casual assent to God’s innumerable blessings.  Let’s actually name them–“one by one,”
as the classic hymn says.  When we do, we’ll see that, though undeserving, we are the recipients of more than can be actually enumerated.

It is my prayer that you will have the most blessed and Happy
Thanksgiving EVER!

Dave Kistler
President, HOPE Ministries International/HOPE To The Hill
President, North Carolina Pastors Network (NCPN)
Co-host, Stand In The Gap Radio

Thanksgiving Resources from WallBuilders

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-The information below is taken from a newsletter sent out by Wallbuilders.  To visit their website, please click HERE.

Historically, American pastors routinely preached special sermons on specific holidays. These sermons used history to present Scripture and show how it was historically applied, thus showing the relevance of America’s Christian heritage to daily life. But many pastors no longer preach such Bible-based history sermons.

Interestingly, a recent Barna poll shows that 79% of church-goers say they want to hear sermons on our Christian heritage and how that relates to today. We encourage every pastor to preach a Thanksgiving sermon showing how the Bible and history relate to contemporary life.

To help make this task easier, WallBuilders has created a special Thanksgiving resource page with not only a modern Thanksgiving sermon outline but also many historic sermons. We also provide Thanksgiving graphics and historical illustrations as well as numerous Thanksgiving proclamations from federal and state governments that can be referenced (such as the 1863 proclamation by Abraham Lincoln pictured here).

So as you get ready for Thanksgiving this month, we encourage you to take some time to review this resource page. Discover information that will help you craft a fun historical sermon for your congregation that will provide them with modern-day Biblical relevance! And then if you do preach such a sermon, please let us know about it at info@wallbuilders.com.

Dr. Ben Carson on Making Choices in this Election

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Dr. Ben Carson appeared on Stand in the Gap Today radio program on October 28th to speak to those who feel they can’t vote due to principle.  Listen to this audio clip to hear his message about making choices in this election.

George Barna, “Don’t Complain!”

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Recently, George Barna, founder and President of American Culture and Faith Institute, told us what he would say to those people who aren’t planning to vote in the November 8th election.  Listen to this audio clip from the daily Stand in the Gap Today program aired on October 27th.

Be an Informed Voter! Get Your Voter Guide HERE!

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The American Family Association has published the 2016 Voter Guide on their website HERE.  You’ll get a “sneak peek” at your federal and state ballot and find candidate comparisons all in one place!

Michele Bachmann on Advice to 3rd Party or No Voters

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Michele Bachmann, recent guest on Stand in the Gap Today, gives advice in this audio clip to those planning to vote 3rd Party or not vote at all. To listen to the entire program, please click HERE.

Is Persecution Good for the Church?

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By  Edgar Feghaly, Missionary to the Middle East

Recently, I heard about a movement among Christians to not vote but rather allow Hillary Clinton to win the election. The claim of these Christians on social media is that “Christians have always been stronger under persecution, so bring it on.”

I am not sure that these people grasp an understanding of what they are saying. Once persecution comes, it will be an endless nightmare. Those never persecuted do not realize the gravity of this turmoil.

Imagine the government putting video cameras all over your church, defining what the pastor should preach. Any sermon coming across as attacking other religions, faiths, or cults will be punishable by prison. Imagine the government levying taxes on the tithes of believers, listening to what you say and watching what you do 24/7. Imagine not being able to carry your Bible in the street or knock on doors to witness. Imagine having metal bars on your house windows to protect you from thieves and burglars. Rather than raising little pets, you raise Rottweilers and German Shepherds just to protect yourself.

Imagine a state where rebellious children report their parents and even their pastor to the government. People become spies on one another. Traditional religion controlling everything. Churches preaching the Gospel described as proselytes and haters.

I have some questions for those inviting persecution. Why must you wait for persecution to sweep our country before you will serve the Lord? Why do you not go into your communities right now aggressively preaching the Gospel?

The problem? Sin and worldliness. If God’s people will forsake their wicked ways, repent, pray and come back to God, He will heal our land.

Hillary Clinton believes in open borders, a one-world system. If she can do this, she will be preparing the way for the appearance of the anti-christ. To us who live in America, opening borders means inviting illegal aliens to flood the country. Half of the world will merge on America. Gangsters and drug cartels, thieves, and terrorists will spread violence abroad. Open borders will diminish our country. People with different cultures will move in and trash our cities.

It may seem exciting to think, “Oh, I would love to be persecuted.” But once persecution comes, it will take a revolution or civil war to stop it. I wish young people would go live in some of the third world countries and see what persecution is doing to the cities and churches rather than wishing it on America.

I have been through persecution. I know how much one suffers, not only physically, but spiritually and mentally. Those persecuted live in constant fear. That is why I appreciate freedom and thank God for America. Many others like me came to America because of the freedom to worship and speak. We came because of the government, justice and a great army that protects us.

Those who have lived under the rule of Saddam Hussein or China or N. Korea appreciate the freedom in America. They realize there is no place to go after America. Why? Because America is the last Bastian of freedom. The only country left in the world that has the treasury of the Scripture. Printing of Bibles is forbidden in persecuted countries. But, it is because of freedom that America can print and ship Bibles to the whole world.  Bible colleges, preachers, and teachers go into the world because we are free.

Someone once said, “You know a person by his friends.” Hillary Clinton has surrounded herself with socialists, communists, and atheists. These will be the ones who will persecute us. They hate the very fabric of Christianity. Just look at the Wiki Leaks for examples.

But, Donald Trump seems to have surrounded himself with conservative leaders. Mr. Pence is a born-again Christian committed to upholding the Constitution of the Untied States. These men are committed to appointing Supreme Court Justices that will keep America on the right path.

Freedom to serve the Lord is far greater than serving under persecution. My advice? Do not wait until persecution comes to serve the Lord. Why not start right now? Why not go into the cities like New York and Chicago? Take advantage of the freedom in our land. Start distributing the Word of God and preaching the Gospel. Right now, we can do this.

For those inviting persecution and thinking that Christianity will survive better in persecution: Why not call some of the Christians who live in persecuted countries and ask their opinion? They will tell you, “Our greatest encouragement is the freedom in America and knowing the church of America can stand behind us because they are a land of the free and a home of the brave.”

I call upon you to make your voice heard. Vote for the goodness of this country on behalf of the persecuted churches in the third world.

Anything But Inconsequential

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Sometime between Saturday evening and early Sunday morning, the GOP headquarters in Orange County, NC was horrifically bombed by some type of incendiary device. Thankfully, no one was in the building at the time, thus no injuries. However, the inside of the facility was horribly destroyed.

NC GOP Executive Director Dallas Woodhouse has condemned the act in the strongest of terminology, stating that the correct response to this attack against our freedom of speech rights needs to be “more and aggressive speech.” His action step is well taken and needs to be aggressively implemented.

Just last week, Dr. Gary Dull, with whom I share a daily radio microphone, was told that his mere PRESENCE at a city school board meeting was overtly “religious.” Dr. Dull was at the meeting to join a prior graduating class in presenting a plaque with our national motto (“In God We Trust”) for display in the school board chamber. Excuse me, but a pastor’s PRESENCE is now going to be deemed as “religious.”

So, let me get this straight. A pastor can’t attend a sporting event without his PRESENCE being determined to be exclusively “religious” in nature. A pastor can’t eat at a restaurant without his PRESENCE their being labeled “religious.” Since the focus across the nation, currently, is on bathrooms and who can use which one, can a pastor not even visit the restroom without that now being deemed “religious?”

My point is simply this. Our religious liberty rights are NOW under aggressive, diabolical, and incessant attack. To think that the November 8 elections are not critically important to this one issue alone, is to think incorrectly. No, this most precious issue will be front and center on November 8.

If elected, Hillary Clinton (because of her past and current actions, as well as her former and present statements–some of which have been discovered via the most recent Wikileaks releases) will move to criminalize ANY statements critical of both the LGBT and Muslims communities. Hillary’s support of both is clear and unequivocal.

So, for whom you cast a ballot on November 8, or before if you vote early, is unquestionably important. Only one candidate has vowed to repeal the famed “Johnson Amendment” of the IRS tax code–a provision that has silenced far too many preachers for fear of losing tax exempt status. Only one candidate has spoken with great respect and affection for the evangelical Christian community. Only one candidate has around him an incredibly strong group of Christian conservative advisors (called his “Spiritual Advisory Team”). Only one candidate stands completely with America’s longtime friend and ally Israel. Only one candidate has the foresight to see the diabolical nature of the “refugee crisis” and desires to stop the flow into the country until thorough vetting can be done. Only one candidate is a nationalist, rather than a globalist. Only one candidate stands on a party platform that is the most Biblical EVER.

My friends, that candidate is NOT, never has been, and never will be Hillary Clinton! No, she is the complete antithesis of all the above.

So, as November 8 approaches, think and pray through your decision at the polling place. What you do will set in action that which will either advance, or end, our “First Freedom”–religious liberty. So, inconsequential this election is NOT!

Dave Kistler
President, HOPE Ministries International/HOPE To The Hill
President, North Carolina Pastors Network (NCPN)
Co-host, Stand In The Gap Radio

As Candidates Struggle with Integrity Issues, American Pastors Network Offers ‘Voter Integrity Checklist’ to Take to Polls

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It’s no secret that both presidential candidates have struggled with their own deep integrity issues, especially over the past few weeks.

And while voters have no control over those matters of integrity, they do have control over their own.

American Pastors Network President Sam Rohrer has been using his own “Voter Integrity Checklist” for decades and is offering it to voters around the country in advance of one of the most important and historic elections in modern history. Rohrer used the list frequently as a legislator for nearly 20 years.

“Voting truly does have a lifetime of accountability,” Rohrer said. “The faithful cannot simply choose a name on a whim, listen to the headlines of a very biased media or go along with what the polls are dictating. Rather, voting must be a carefully considered, prayerful and serious decision. Our prayer is that every Christian will base their voting decisions on biblical principles and wisdom, rather than emotion, news reports or even social media.

“Perhaps more than anything else, this election is about two distinctive worldviews of the candidates—a compelling argument for those who may be inclined not to vote,” Rohrer added. “Rather than the individual, voters are choosing between two worldviews—one that will protect religious liberties, appoint those who will uphold Judeo-Christian values on the Supreme Court and protect life—and one that most certainly will not. Those who are voting should vote with their own worldviews in mind as well. To choose not to vote at all is indeed a choice for one of these two worldviews.”

Decades ago, Rohrer created his “Voting Integrity Checklist,” a series of questions he developed for himself to use during nearly 20 years in office. It helps not only to ensure votes of integrity, but to also permit voters to have confidence in how candidates may conduct themselves while in office. Ultimately, a number of Rohrer’s fellow legislators adopted this simple checklist, with the application to evaluate potential candidates on how they measure up to a carefully prioritized list of considerations.

According to Rohrer, questions to ask when progressing through the “Voter Integrity Checklist” include:

  1. Is it moral?
  2. Is it constitutional?
  3. Does it preserve individual freedom and responsibility (vs. strengthening government control)?
  4. Does it preserve and strengthen the traditional family?
  5. Is it in the best interest of the general public (vs. only special interests)?
  6. Is it necessary?
  7. Should it be done on the federal level?
  8. Is this an effective and efficient way to do it?
  9. Do we have the money to pay for it?

Rohrer also hosts the daily, live, one-hour “Stand in the Gap Today,” the news and commentary radio program that airs on about 425 stations nationwide daily at noon ET. Last week, Rohrer welcome social science researcher George Barna to the program. Barna’s most recent research from the American Culture & Faith Institute found that Donald Trump’s support from Evangelicals took a downward turn after the release of a taped conversation from 11 years ago; Barna expects that the effect is temporary based on previous incidences. Read more about the new study here. For more information on the entire lineup ofAPN radio programming, visit www.StandintheGapRadio.com.

Check out a recent interview between Perry Atkinson and Sam Rohrer about this election and Sam’s Voter Integrity Checklist on theDOVE TV HERE.

 

 

Tennessee Pastors Network Bringing Awareness to Church Investments That Support Pornography and Other Anti-Family Holdings

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The Tennessee Pastors Network (TNPN, www.tnpastors.net) is working to bring awareness to a pressing issue within churches—that local churches, through their holdings and investments, are supporting anti-family companies and pornography.

As the presidential election has turned recently to matters of the treatment of women, TNPNPresident Dale Walker says that Christians must be aware that their churches may be investing in ungodly industries, businesses or other entities that would be displeasing to God.

Walker cites www.DirtyInvesting.com, which specifically calls out the Free Will Baptist denomination, a fellowship of evangelical churches based in Tennessee.

“In this election, we must also ask, ‘How does the church treat women?’” Walker said. “This church in particular sadly fails that test, and profits from pornography in its investments and its holdings. These dirty funds violate pastors’ sincerely held beliefs, yet their pensions are tied up in these ungodly investments. We are calling on Free Will Baptist leaders to rid themselves of all demeaning investments that profit from pornography in any manner immediately.

“How can we hold our politicians to a higher standard when our church leaders are financiers and shareholders in companies that demean women and willingly invest in and profit from pornography?” Walker continued. “This is diabolical and, sadly, proves that most church members simply trust that their church leaders are doing the right thing with their money. Pornography fuels human trafficking, and any denomination that profits from pornography should repent of its evil ways and turn away from them. Perhaps then, when the Church cleans up its coffers and practices what it preaches, God will heal our land. Until then, we cannot vote our way out of the mess are nation is in, and our only hope is to pray that God will have mercy upon our nation.”

Walker further stated this it is shocking and saddening that Free Will Baptist pastors are not being listened to by their leaders when they request that sinful stock holdings be removed from the pension plan.

“We are at critical point in this nation, and the church should lead in morality and be above reproach in their investments,” Walker concluded. “This proves that the love of money is the root of all evil, and it should disgust all Free Will Baptist church members.”

At DirtyInvesting.com, which reads, “The Free Will Baptist Retirement Board is investing in millions of dollars of anti-family, pro-porn connected companies that are major distributors of pornographic, violent and obscene content,” those concerned can learn more, sign a petition, and download and print sharable graphics and postcards.

TNPN is a state chapter of the American Pastors Network (APN,www.americanpastorsnetwork.net), the largest national network dedicated to equipping pastors to be a voice for truth in the public square.