Protecting the Pulpit: What Every Pastor Needs to Know

On March 8th, the American Pastors Network recently held their monthly conference call designed to answer questions for Pastors and Church Leaders relating to current topics and events affecting  our churches and nation. The theme of this call was “Protecting the Pulpit: What Every Pastor Needs to Know”.  Senior Counsel Justin Butterfield, with First Liberty, and Dr. David Whitney with The American View, joined the call as guests to answer the following questions:

  1. What do pastors need to understand regarding their freedoms and limitations as a 501c3  entity when it comes to participating in the political process?
  2. Can pastors endorse a political candidate personally?  How about from the pulpit?
  3. How can a church protect themselves from lawsuits on certain issues like homosexuality and same-sex marriage?
  4. Should churches incorporate or not?
  5. How can a church “unincorporate” if they no longer want to have 501c3 status

Christian Pastor: Have You (We) Done Your Duty?

Political commentator and devout Christian Todd Starnes has hit the nail squarely on the head. The absence on the part of Christians from the process, plus the stunning unwillingness on the part of pastors to lead their people to register and vote, has placed us at a critical crossroads! (the article by Todd Starnes) I want to offer two comments of challenge, first to my brothers/sisters in Christ, then to my dear friends who co-labor with me in the ministry.

Brethren, this is our time to let our voice be heard. If you are not registered to vote in the primaries, then GET YOURSELF REGISTERED! There is no more direct, uncomplicated way I can say it! We cannot/dare not sit this one out.  The future of our nation is at stake, most specifically our religious liberty and 2nd Amendment rights! If we (who profess Christ) are not willing to do the right thing, then we will get what we deserve—more loss of liberty, more government intrusion, more restrictions on our ability to live, profess, and promote our faith, and more godless secularism/socialism/Sharia complicity. The antidote for all of this is a believing community that is willing to stand courageously and vote Biblically—as much as is possible!

To my dear pastor friends, thank you for the many of you who have been/are willing to lead your people to register and vote. Thanks for being willing to have a table in your church building where your people can actually register (which is NO violation of the law) to vote in both primary and general election. Thank you for courageous and unequivocal leadership!

To those men of God who’ve been reticent to lead in this fashion, I plead with you to reconsider your course. In our state of North Carolina, the deadline for registering to vote in the primary is this Friday, February 19. Though it should have been done prior, we have one final opportunity to encourage our people to do the right thing as a citizen of these United States. This coming Wednesday evening will afford the opportunity for one final appeal. Again, it is no violation of the law to have registration forms available for completion. A knowledgeable person in the congregation can oversee people as they register, then get the registration forms to the election board. This is nothing less than appropriate citizen response to what is actually a constitutional and Biblical responsibility—voting! To fulfill that responsibility, individuals must be registered.

I trust that Todd’s outstanding remarks that follow will be the needed impetus for engagement by both pastor and pew. I love you my dear friends—enough to speak forthrightly the truth! And, I love the country God has graciously given us—the United States of America! Thirty-one years of traveling the world has proven to me that we, in America, are uniquely blessed. We cannot/dare not allow our country to be taken from us! We must stand tall, speak up, and refuse to succumb to that which would make us fearful—ven the faces of those in our congregations who are unaware of the precipice on which America currently teeters!

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

Where are the Prophets?

Innumerable it seems are the issues facing the nation. Abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, self defense and ownership of guns, marriage, parental rights, pornography, gambling, alcohol use and abuse,
drugs, the environment, crime, corruption in government, government assistance, national defense, foreign policy, freedom of speech, religious liberty, etc., etc., etc. What seems glaringly scarce are genuine prophets. The prophets of old were God’s spokesman for their day. They interpreted the times according to the revelation of God.

There is a sense in which every pastor must play the role of the prophet. Yet today such preaching would be enough to put goose bumps on the back of the pews of most churches. W. Phillip Keller has eloquently written: “[I]n so many places the pastors and teachers are well-nigh silent about social ills. They make no strong stand against those elements that are destroying their people. They carry no deep conviction about the corruption all about them. They will not risk a confrontation with the forces of evil. Their silence gives tacit approval to the wrong influences and human philosophies which are tearing us to pieces.  “The leaders are fearful lest they be blamed eccentrics, puritans, or prophets of doom. They much prefer to be popular.” [1]

Some evangelical leaders seem mystified by Presidential candidate, Donald Trump, and his lead in the polls among evangelical voters. Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association has accurately stated that there is really “little to be liked in the Donald’s worldview and personal history.” [2]I would agree, but perhaps it’s that a vast host of evangelicals are drawn to something Trump does that they rarely hear in the pulpits of their own churches. He speaks with passion, boldness, and authority. Americans, including evangelical Christians, are tired of leaders who have little or no moxie.

I suggest the nation has been deprived of prophets – prophets like those described in the Scriptures – men who had great capacity for emotion – men who were capable of deep feelings. Men who had fire in their bellies and their words could breathe fire in righteous indignation. At other times there utterances would be mingled with tears.

The late G. Earl Guinn, who was once the Chairman of the Department of Preaching at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, put it this way: “The true man of God can weep at suffering, he can get downright mad at sin, and he can rejoice at moral progress.” [3] Richard Baxter wrote: “I preach as though I were never sure to preach again, and as a dying man to dying men.” [4] Too much preaching today fails to be based solidly in the moral authority of God’s Word and delivered out of deep conviction. Instead, it is made up of nice little warm fuzzy remarks sprinkled with a few anecdotes meant to make us feel good about ourselves, when the very wrath of God abides on us. The results of such preaching are devastating on more levels than we can know. It is not hyperbole to say that our culture is quickly headed for destruction. The hope for our restoration lies in remedies of the heart,  where our problems really exist. The sickness killing us is our willful rejection of God and his order.

But to quote again from G. Earl Guinn: “Apparently instead of hearing prophets of God sounding a trumpet call to obedience and faith, they have heard inoffensive little men tooting piccolos and then running to the door [of the church] to grin like Cheshire cats at those whose compliments are demanded by their itching ears.” [5] Indeed. Where are the prophets?

Jesus was the ultimate prophet. He wasn’t concerned about being palatable or appealing. His message was distinct and divergent from a corrupt society. His zeal for the Father’s way so consumed him that at times it must have seemed as though he was trying to prevent the possibility of followers.  He made tall demands, calling for hardship and cross-bearing. He warned that anyone who would be his disciple would experience alienation from friends and even family members.  He spoke against entrenched evil and misguided powers, powers that precipitated injustice, powers that humanly speaking; he could only offend to his own disadvantage and never possibly overcome.  He demonstrated by both his life and words that the Creator God is Holy and demands the same of those made in his image. Moreover, in the end, he was willing to lay down everything to redeem the ones who failed to understand him and were hostile to his ministry. Where are the prophets like Jesus?

In 1846 the fate of our nation depended on Andrew Jackson’s trusted messenger, Holdfast Gaines, an Indian scout. Gaines was encamped with the American army on Mobile Bay when word came to Jackson that a large British force had set sail for New Orleans. The one chance was for the General to swiftly get word to General “Dandy” Carroll in Nashville, so he could rally the long rifle frontiersman of Tennessee and Kentucky to rendezvous with him in New Orleans. But how was this to be done with 600 miles of wilderness between them?  General Jackson’s prospects of stopping the British lie with one man – Gaines. So he gave his trusted messenger the assignment and said, “I’ll give you ten days to get there! May the Lord of hosts bless your legs!”  At sunset on October 12, as General Carroll sat dining, Holdfast Gaines stumbled through the doorway, making the 600 mile trek in six days and five nights!  General Carroll rallied the long riflemen and met up with General Jackson in New Orleans. The British were defeated. New Orleans was saved because the messenger laid everything on the line to deliver his message. [6]

The fate of our nation hangs in the balance again. It’s not an enemy from without that threatens this time, but the enemy from within our sinful souls. Our hope, in large degree, is dependent on whether we have prophets of God willing to pay any price to deliver his message.

But where are the prophets?

By Dr. Mark Creech

A Once Great Institution Succumbs!

The faculty council at Wheaton College, once a bastion of evangelical Christianity, has recommended that the effort to terminate associate Professor Larycia Hawkins end.  The reason for their recommendation?  They cited “grave concerns about the process.”  The exact specifics of those concerns remain unknown.

If you will remember, Hawkins drew national attention when she began wearing a headscarf to show solidarity with Muslims who had experienced what she called “vitriolic” rhetoric following the Paris and San Bernardino terrorist attacks.  “I stand in religious solidarity with Muslims because they, like me, a Christian, are people of the book,”
Hawkins wrote on social media. “And as Pope Francis stated … we worship the same God.”  The college placed Hawkins on leave, pending a full review of the “theological implications” of her comments.

Regardless of the final decision Wheaton reaches with regard to the “theological implications” of Mrs. Hawkins actions, one thing is certain!  Both she and Pope Francis are TOTALLY WRONG!  We (Christians
and Muslims) DO NOT worship the same God!  And, while both Christians and Muslims may be “people of the book,” the books are VASTLY different!

The Deities of both books are different–Allah, being a “god” of violence, Jesus being the Prince of Peace!  The basic message of both books is also completely different–one (the Koran), a message of victory thru violence, the other (the Bible), a message of redemption and victory thru Christ!  The teachers of both books are polar opposites–Muslim Imams incite violence and deception, while true Christian preachers proclaim a message of truth and love!  The followers of each book’s teaching could not be more diametrically opposite!  True followers of Islam and the teachings of Mohammed desire the eradication of ALL who will not submit to Islamic ideology!  The followers of Christ seek the redemption of those Satanically enslaved in Islam’s web of deceit! Islam has an end-time eschatology that believes in the arrival of a Mahdi–a great one who brings world peace.  Of course, Christianity believes a false Messiah will step onto the end-time world stage, deceiving the masses who’ve rejected Christ.  But, the True Messiah, Jesus Christ, will return to this earth, ultimately bringing genuine peace!  It is my firm belief that the Islamic Mahdi will be the one the Bible calls the Anti-Christ!

So, it was for very legitimate reasons that Wheaton placed Mrs. Hawkins on leave!  Islam and Christianity could not be more incompatible!  What is tragic, yea heartbreaking, is to see that once great school succumb
to political correctness and outright error!  Wheaton’s compromise MUST NOT become our compromise! Wheaton’s fear, MUST NOT be mirrored by those of us who genuinely are people of The Book–the Word of the Living God!
No, regardless of what others may do, we must say (and do) as did Joshua of old–“as for me, and my house, WE will serve (and stay unequivocally faithful to) the LORD!”

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

Letter to Governor Wolf Regarding Syrian Refugees by Dr. Gary Dull

November 23, 2015

Dear Governor Wolfe:

As representing the Pennsylvania Pastors Network of over 2500 pastors across the state and as serving as senior pastor of the Faith Baptist Church of Altoona I am writing in regard to your policy of accepting Syrian refugees into our beloved Commonwealth.  I have read your recent letter to the state lawmakers in which you explain your reasons for allowing the refugees to be relocated here and so I am quite familiar with the arguments you present.

In your letter you say “As governor of Pennsylvania, my first priority is protecting the commonwealth,” to which I totally agree. But, along with many pastors and other citizens across PA I believe the invitation to allow the Syrian refugees to settle here has the potential to bring great harm through possible terrorist activity.

I know that you, President Obama and others in his administration, believe that every refugee can be vetted properly, but it is my concern that the vetting process currently being used may not be totally tested.  In addition, any potential ISIS member who would be embedded into the ranks of the refugees possibly has the proper training to slip under the radar and therefore enter into Pennsylvania with the intent to harm our citizens.  If that would happen, Sir, the blood of those who would be harmed or killed would be on your hands.  And truly, I do not want to see that occur either for your sake or for the sake of every Pennsylvanian who could be at risk.

As a pastor I have great compassion for the poor and needy of war torn countries.  I believe the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a great heritage of providing for those who have suffered from tyrannical governments of the world down through the years.  I hold to the fact that immigration is not a bad thing and that many who want to come here to find true liberty and opportunity should be welcomed.  But in these days of radical Islamic terrorist activity we all know that not every immigrant or refugee would come to America with a pure motive of searching for a new life, liberty and opportunity.  There are those who hate our nation and are bent on bringing us harm and destruction.  Genuine Muslim doctrine clearly teaches from the pages of the Koran that those of us who are infidels (non-Muslims) should be killed.  A true Muslim supports Sharia Law that in no way agrees with the Constitutions of the United States or Pennsylvania. Consequently great wisdom and understanding must be used in who are allowed to enter our boarders.

In your letter you site the Refuge Act of 1980 which authorizes the president to admit refugees who face persecution on the basis of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular group, or political opinion.  But there is reason to believe that this act may be unconstitutional because the original intent of our founders was that the individual states were to handle matters of immigration.

Therefore as a husband, a father, a grandfather, a pastor, a leader of pastors, a citizen of PA, a patriot and one who truly loves this commonwealth, I ask you to please reconsider your policy on inviting Syrian refugees into our boarders.  I ask you to join with other governors across the country and stand against a Presidential Policy of immigration that has the possibility of allowing terrorists to enter our land.  I ask you to seriously fulfill your duty and priority of protecting the commonwealth by not giving an open door to the Syrian refugees without a tried and true vetting process.  I ask you to respond to the Syrian refugee matter from the perspective of the tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution that guarantees the rights of the individual states to have the jurisdiction to govern themselves in such matters and by doing so exercise your duty and responsibility as the elected governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to properly and efficiently protect the welfare of the citizens you serve.

In setting forth the God-given responsibility of civil government, the Bible in Romans 13:1-4 clearly teaches that rulers are “not a terror to good works, but to the evil.” Properly interpreted this admonition means that as our state CEO you, Governor Wolfe, have the duty to exercise your authority to keep all and any potential evil from the citizens and boundaries of Pennsylvania.  On behalf of many pastors and residents of our beloved state I ask you please to do so to which we will be very grateful.

Governor Wolfe, as one leader to another, I ask you to seriously and sincerely consider my requests.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary G. Dull

Vice-President and Executive Director

The Pennsylvania Pastors Network

Senior Pastor of the Faith Baptist Church of Altoona

GOP Debate Overview by Dave Kistler

Last evening’s GOP Presidential Debate provided some fascinating insights into what the frontrunners would do, if elected president. Though a more thorough analysis will come later, permit me to make a few initial observations.

Though the topic last evening was the economy, the banter between candidates moved off that immediate topic and onto other ancillary issues.  One thing was abundantly clear, we have a number of candidates who clearly understand the disastrous situation in which Barack Obama has placed us–militarily!  I was VERY encouraged to hear the clarion statements by a number of the hopefuls, especially Senator Ted Cruz, relative to what they would do to build up our Armed Forces!

As to who won the debate, I would suggest this.  From a content perspective, I believe Ted Cruz was the winner!  From a stylistic
standpoint, Marco Rubio excelled!  Rubio’s command of the English language (equal to that of Ted Cruz), and the rapid fire way he delivers his message, makes him a VERY appealing candidate.  Dr. Ben Carson provided the most detail yet, and probably shocked some observers with his command of things economic.  Cruz’s witty, sharp and sometimes sarcastic sense of humor was again on display–something he used well when speaking about immigration!  Of course, Donald Trump was his typical self–only a little more reserved, stressing his landmark issue of securing the border and preventing illegal immigration!

The take away is this.  I see a team emerging that may well be the GOP nominees.  Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio are both young, incredibly talented, stingingly articulate, and knowledgeable men.  They are a conservative version of Bill Clinton and Al Gore from 1992.  Cruz has stood in opposition to his own party over substantive issues and is a genuine Christian conservative!  Rubio’s knowledge of foreign policy would serve him well as a President or Vice President.

While there is a lot of distance yet to be traveled, the picture is definitely becoming a bit more clear, at least to me!  From now until the end, we must pray EARNESTLY for men who will honor God, abide by the Constitution, stand unequivocally with Israel, reverse out of control spending insanity, serve the people rather than themselves, and do all the aforementioned while humbly seeking God’s wisdom in all decisions!

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

Pray for Pastors and Serve Them as Pastor Appreciation Month Comes to a Close

October is Pastor Appreciation Month, and the American Pastors Network is encouraging the faithful to pray for their church leaders—especially as the culture becomes more and more hostile toward pro-life efforts, religious liberties and biblically defined marriage.

“This month especially, as we close out Pastor Appreciation Month, believers—now more than ever—must pray for and serve our pastors and church leaders,” said PPN Executive Director Gary Dull, who is also a board member for the American Pastors Network (www.AmericanPastorsNetwork.net) , of which PPN is a state chapter. “In the face of many life-affecting challenges, pastors have one of the toughest jobs in the world, leading their congregations, serving as the salt and light in a dark world, and making their spouses and families a priority. They need and appreciate our prayers, since daily prayer for these faithful servants will help lift them up and allow them to truly fulfill God’s purpose for their lives. Serving them in small ways like setting up a light breakfast for them once in a while, giving them gift certificates, or any way to encourage or lighten the load ever so slightly goes a long way, too.”

PPN is suggesting several ways Christians can show their appreciation for their pastors:

  • Pray for them daily, and let them know you are praying.
  • Write a note to let them know how greatly they are appreciated in the church and in your life.
  • Take a meal to your pastor’s family, or invite them to your home or out for a dinner together.
  • Make a donation to the Pennsylvania Pastors Network in your pastor’s name so PPN can continue to serve pastors and churches across the state organizing events and offering resources. Visit http://www.papastors.net/donate.
  • Purchase a DVD copy of the “U-Turn: Roadmap for Renewal” conference for pastors and church leaders, hosted in March by PPN in Lancaster, Pa. Click here for more information on single and multiple-pack discounts.

Said one pastor who attended, “I was really blessed by the U-Turn Conference. … This was truly life-changing and transformational. I don’t remember the last time I have been so inspired to want to make a difference in the kingdom of God after attending a conference with such great impact. I was thoroughly energized to know what, how and why we should take back our country for Jesus Christ.”

The organization Serving Leaders Ministries exists to serve pastors and help them deal with the overwhelming responsibility of being a pastor and surviving the multiple attacks by the enemy throughout their tenure at a church. For more information on Serving Leaders, visit www.servingleaders.org.

Marriage, A Wolf, and a Little Red Riding Hood

Since I was a boy, I have always loved the literary genre of fables – fictional stories featuring animals with human qualities meant to illustrate some moral maxim. Like parables, such stories are never intended to convey meaning in every detail. Yet, much of it may draw, even in unsuspecting ways, the reader to precepts or principles pertinent to circumstances behind the story. Such is the following submission of a new take on Little Red Riding Hood.

-Dr. Mark Creech,  founder of Christian Action League (www.christianactionleague.org)

*****

Once upon a time there was a dear little girl who loved her grandmother supremely. The grandmother had given to her a little cap of red velvet, which suited her so well she would never wear anything else. Thus, everyone called her Little Red Riding Hood.

One day her father and mother said to her, “Come Little Red Riding Hood, here is a basket of cookies, assorted nuts, fruit and other goodies. Take them to your grandmother and enjoy them with her.”
Grandmother lived far out in the woods and Little Red Riding Hood had never thought much about the dangers she might encounter as she entered the forest. Soon she would meet a wolf, a wicked creature indeed.

“Good day, Little Red Riding Hood. Where are you headed so early in the day?” the wolf said.

“Good morning to you, Mr. Wolf,” said Little Red Riding Hood. “I’m on my way to my grandmother’s house.”

“What is it that you have in the basket?” he asked.

“A basket of many blessings,” she replied. “I plan to enjoy all of them with my wonderful grandmother.”

“Where does your grandmother live?” asked the wolf.

“Her house, picturesque, stands under the shade of a beautiful grove of strong oak trees, where refreshing waters pass in a brook, flowers grow, and the birds sing. Surely you’ve seen it before,” Little Red Riding Hood replied with innocent charm.

The wolf thought to himself, “What a tender, impressionable and naive child. What a nice mouthful she will be when I eat her. She will be a much better meal than the old woman. But if I am to have her, I must work craftily, so I might consume them both.”

For a little while longer the wolf spoke with Little Red Riding Hood, mostly telling her about the way wolves are wrongly perceived by people. “Wolves are nothing to be feared, they just want to be treated like everybody else,” he told her.

While on her way, Little Red Riding Hood pondered, “Yes, I think I can understand how the wolf must feel. Perhaps he is a victim, as he says, and his way is not decadent.”

Meanwhile, the wolf slipped away and made straight for grandmother’s house ahead of Little Red Riding Hood.

When he reached grandmother’s house, he knocked on the door.

Grandmother called out, “Who is it, and what do you wish?”

“It is Little Red Riding Hood,” replied the wolf. “I am bringing a basket of goodies to brighten your day – to bring about a whole new day for you, grandmother,” said the wolf convincingly.

When grandmother lifted the latch to the door, the wolf devoured her. Then he put on her clothes, dressed in her nightgown and cap and lay in the bed as if he were grandmother.

When Little Red Riding Hood arrived at grandmother’s house she was surprised to find the door ajar. There was something strange and uncomfortable about this situation, even unnatural, she thought to herself.

As she made her way through the house, she came upon grandmother’s bedroom, and there laid her grandmother in her bedclothes with her cap pulled over her face, with the shades down, and looking inexplicably unfamiliar.

“Oh grandmother,” she said, “What big ears, eyes, hands, and mouth you have.”

“Certainly you can appreciate diversity,” replied the wolf. And just when he thought the time was right, he sprang from the bed to eat Little Red Riding Hood.

A woodcutter nearby heard her screams and rushed to save her.         Untitled

He overcame the wolf with his trusty axe. The townspeople hurried to the scene, cheered and supported the woodcutter, except for five foolish judges.

The five foolish judges declared the woodcutter prejudiced, bigoted, and intolerant. They said he had no right to defend either the grandmother or Little Red Riding Hood. They said the axe must be cast away.

Standing with the five foolish judges were also some clever foxes, relatives of the wolf, who argued the wolf’s proclivity for carnage was completely normal. In fact, to suppress the wolf’s appetites, something which was inherent to his nature, would be wrong, they said. Besides, it was claimed that grandmothers are like old traditions that need to give way to the new anyhow.

And so, on the basis of these considerations, not only did the mindset of many of the townspeople start to change, but the wolf was lauded and praised. Many townspeople would fly the wolf flag from atop their village cottages and buildings. An advocacy group called WUVS, standing for “Wolves, Underfed, Voracious, and Famished,” fought to give wolves special protections in law. And no one dared challenge the true nature of the wolf for fear his house, his livelihood, and even his freedom might be taken away.

So the years passed, grandmother was dead and Little Red Riding Hood would live her life in confusion, always in danger of many wolves and never to enjoy the basket of goodies with her grandmother, whom she had known and loved for so long.

*****

I would not do all the work for the reader here, but if it helps, in this fable of Little Red Riding Hood, the Grandmother is traditional marriage. The wolf is homosexual activism. Little Red Riding Hood is an unsuspecting public, and, in another way, children and their future. The basket of assorted goodies signifies the many blessings and joys of real marriage. The woodcutter is true religion’s opposition to so-called gay rights. His axe is state constitutional amendments to define marriage as one man and one woman. The five foolish judges are the U.S. Supreme Court justices who ruled to redefine marriage for the nation. The clever foxes are professionals who argue homosexuality is inherent, fixed, unalterable, and normal. The townspeople represent ever-changing public opinion.

 Now that you have the key, perhaps you should it read again.

In Remembrance of 9/11

As this 14th 9-11 Anniversary dawned in NC, the skies were almost identical to those on that horrific day fourteen years ago! Beautiful, clear and blue!  Fourteen years ago, my wife, children and I were on the west coast of the United States, three hours earlier, in the Pacific Time Zone.

That morning, I’d just dropped off, at the Portland Airport, the last speaker from our Northwest men’s conference (Men With A Mission).  Once I’d assisted in getting his luggage safely through curbside check-in, I said my goodbyes, then slid behind the wheel of my Ford f-350 pick up truck for the 20 minute ride back to our travel trailer home.  In an effort to check the early morning headlines, I punched the dial on the radio, ultimately hearing George W. Bush say, “This was a deliberate terror attack!”  Those words, initially, didn’t shock me, as I assumed that he was referencing an attack in some distant land.  However, the longer I listened, the more painfully aware I became of the fact that he was speaking of something that was actually ongoing within the United States!

The rest of that day, and the days that immediately followed were ones of anger, adjustment to life in a NEW United States, and attempts to comprehend the pure evil that could motivate such a catastrophic event!  Having friends within the FBI, I was given a first hand account of the events in NY–the incomprehensible heat inside the Twin Towers, the falling bodies of those who chose to die by fall rather than fire, the ultimate collapse of those landmark buildings, and the aftermath of sifting through rubble and body parts!  In all honesty, those descriptions are as fresh and vivid in my mind NOW as they were THEN!

In retrospect, what has been difficult to process is the fact that a mere seven years after those life-altering events, the citizens of the United States elected a man who is complicit with the very individuals who did us so much harm on 9-11!  A strong statement? Yes, INDEED!  But for it, I make NO apology!  Barack Obama, the son and grandson of a
Sunni Muslim father and grandfather, has repeatedly demonstrated his disdain for America, his defiance of God, his friendship with Muslim doctrine, and his moral debauchery! Obviously, I am privy to much information about him that would not be suitable for sharing here!  However, to even the casual observer, it is readily apparent that this
man is NOT a friend of faith or freedom!!!

So, as we commemorate the 14th Anniversary of those nation-changing events in 2001, I pray that this nation’s leaders admit the glaringly obvious about the current resident of the White House! More importantly, may the people who were heinously deceived enough to elect him TWICE, have the scales of diabolical deception removed from their eyes!  And, may God’s preachers be infused with Divine courage–the kind that will lead their people to the truth and allow them to drink deeply from that well!  The truth, plainly preached, about ALL things, including the
state of our nation and what is necessary for a return to God’s blessing, MUST be heard from America’s pulpits!  We, the proclaimers of truth, DARE NOT shrink back from our sacred and solemn responsibility!  Our congregations not only NEED to hear the truth, they are longing for it!

I am more encouraged than ever about the remnant of God’s men (a great group of which I spent two wonderful hours with yesterday) who get it!  They are compassionate men with volcanic hearts of love for God and His
word!  May we all fear the face of a thrice holy God, and NOT the faces of men–even those in our church bodies who are ignorant of the realities facing us!  May we be willing to LEAD our people in righteousness, rather than allowing ourselves to be led by the godless fear of man!  These are days for courageous faith, committed focus, and
conscientious and fearless leadership!  Our God will make us sufficient for the task!

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

KENTUCKY CLERK FACES HER “FIERY FURNACE” MOMENT

Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court refused to hear an appealed Kentucky case wherein county clerk Kim Davis has refused to issue same-sex marriage licenses because of her deeply held religious beliefs.  That refusal has now landed Mrs. Davis in legal hot water!

On Thursday, she is scheduled to appear before a Federal judge, who will, most likely, issue a decision on her continued refusal to comply with the June SCOTUS ruling.  Her refusal is akin to Daniel 3, where three Hebrew children stood their ground and refused to “bow down and worship” the golden image of Nebuchadnezzar.

Like Mrs. Davis, the Hebrews were governmental employees!  Like Mrs. Davis, the Hebrews were standing against the overwhelming societal norms of the day!  Like Mrs. Davis, the Hebrew children faced a severe punishment for their refusal to comply with a government mandate in conflict with their religious beliefs!  Unlike the three Hebrew children, Mrs. Davis is not facing a death penalty (though some of the LGBT community may want to see her dead) for her decision!  Additionally, unlike Daniel’s three friends, Mrs. Davis has a governing United States Constitution that is clearly on her side!

In Mrs. Davis’ situation, all of the LGBT community is crying, “Just do your job!”  Issue same-sex licenses as you’ve been ordered to do!  Others (primarily Bible-believing, constitutionally informed, Christians) are saying, “Stand your ground and refuse to comply!”  A still smaller group is advocating that Mrs. Davis simply resign her position, if she has such firm, uncompromising beliefs!  In this, who is right?

In all honesty, Mrs. Davis certainly has clear Biblical ground on which to stand!  Daniel and his three friends did NOT resign!  In their situation, there was not pathway to do so!  They stood and had to bear the consequences of their stand.  Mrs. Davis will have to do the same!  But, resigning is, in my opinion, NOT obligatory!  

As well, I believe Kim Davis has MORE THAN sound constitutional grounds on which to make her stand!  The beloved First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is abundantly clear!  Her religious liberty CANNOT be “prohibited” (“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”).  There is no specification that says that she can practice her religious beliefs ONLY in her home, or on her non-work time!  No, Americans have always had and always believed (until very recently) that we have the freedom to practice our faith ANYWHERE, including on the job–be that job a government one, or not!!!

So, to Kim Davis I say, “Stand your ground!”  Refuse to succumb to the immense pressure that you must be facing!  Stand tall, unbent, and with firm resolve!  To the greater Christian community I say, “Pray for Mrs. Davis and show your support for her!”  Her battle is actually OUR battle!  Today, it is Kim Davis!  Tomorrow it will be the larger Christian realm!  If she loses, so do we ALL!  If she wins, we ALL win with her!  In once sense, we win either way.  I am reminded of the words of the Hebrew children, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king” (Daniel 3: 17).

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