An Encouraging Word in Evil Times

An Encouraging Word in Evil Times

by Barbara Henderson

Like many of you, I am mightily distressed at the shenanigans going on in the halls of congress now.  I fear that the foundations of our freedoms are being destroyed by those who love neither freedom nor my country.  Thinking people understand that more government control means less freedom.  America is in a downward spiral. I could go on for hours about what is happening, and why it is happening, and who is to blame, and just how awful it is.  However, I know that you already know that.  Instead, I wanted to write something to encourage each of you, but I realized that before I could encourage you, I must first encourage myself.  So, here is what I did.

I realized even more than ever that this world is not my home.  I played Jim Reeves on youtube singing a song with those very words as the title.  I played it about 45 times.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ndMZqT6i4I&feature=PlayList&p=6162F8A7655AE966&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=4  (This World is Not My Home)
It finally changed my thoughts from the things of this world, and I began to ‘encourage myself’.

Then I thought, when we go camping, we spend a short amount of time setting up camp, and the rest of the time just goofing off.  When we are camping, even cooking is sort of goofing off.  We want safety, and comfort. We do as little as possible to set up everything to ensure those things.  We are just passing through the camp area.  It isn’t our home.  When the weekend is over, we will leave it behind and get back to the daily grind.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBEbCy5TfYU&feature=PlayList&p=6162F8A7655AE966&index=6&playnext=3&playnext_from=PL )  (I’ll Fly Away)  

But, there is a day coming when we will leave the daily grind behind and get on to eternity.  We are supposed to do the best we can in accordance with God’s Word while we are in this world, but our earthly home is really no more permanent than a weekend camp site. 

The daily grind is this world.  It is a land where we work hard, grow weary, old, and die.  But, there is a land where we will never grow old.  In that land, there will be a righteous government, with a Righteous King.    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQTFdoF-awA 

(Never Grow Old)
And, thankfully, Christians have the Lord to carry burdens for us.  Remember, ‘Burdens are Lifted at Calvary’.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5YYIdi5Ap0

And, ‘I’ve Got a Mansion Just Over the Hilltop’.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL_OBvnRSME

So, seeing that:
This world is not my home
I will eventually move on from earth to a city not built by hands
I will live in that land no one will ever grow old
The Righteous King will rule there
My burdens can be dumped on Jesus
I’ve Got a better home waiting for me in heaven
….  It is better to not entangle myself with the affairs of this world other than to do what is required of me according to God. 

Music that reminds me of God’s goodness is often my first line of defense when troubles come.  My heart is so heavy when I consider the directions my beloved country is taking, and that our leaders have no love for the God of the Bible.  Music, wonderful gift from God though it is, is  not enough to give me strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.  (Great is thy Faithfulness    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1O8kVT4A-w )   Music is not a substitute for God’s Word, but it can calm the heart and mind.  Music seems to be able to sweep away all the anger, bitterness, fear, and doubts that an event like Congress ramming health care down the throats of the American people brings with it.  Music can prepare our hearts to encourage ourselves in the Lord through reading and studying His word.  Let’s see what the Bible has to say about encouragement.  In just a very quick study this morning, I find four important things mentioned.

1.  David encouraged himself in the lord.  Everyone was against him; there was no friend to encourage him. He went straight to the Lord for encouragement.  That is an example well worth following!  (1 Samuel 30:6  And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.)

2.  This next verse looks like sort of a good circle to me.  The people support the teachers of God’s law.  Then the preachers are free to learn more of God’s teachings, which they pass on to the people.  We are definitely supposed to study and learn on our own, but it is very encouraging to have a preacher who preaches the Gospel truth.  Also, to give to the priests a certain part showed obedience on the part of the giver.  So personal obedience to God is a way of encouraging others.  (The priests in the Bible are not like Catholic priests today.  They were family men.  It refers to the preachers and teachers.  Baptists and other Christians today call them pastors and preachers and evangelists.  Churches support them as they are able, and send out missionary support as well.)

 2 Chronicles 31:4  Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD.

3.  In this next verse we are encouraged to serve the Lord.  This verse encourages preachers and teachers to continue in serving the Lord.  When there are preachers and teachers of righteousness, then more people have the opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel.

2 Chronicles 35:2
And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the LORD,

4. According to this next verse we are supposed to encourage each other.  Tell our brethren, our fellow laborers, to be encouraged. How often would an encouraging word from a fellow believer been helpful to you?  You can't make others pass out encouragement, but you can make yourself encourage others.

Isaiah 41:7 So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.

Christians need to remember that we are not humanists, and our God is greater than any social gospel preached in some liberal churches or the halls of government.  What America has been, and what I hope to see it become again, is a country where the spirit of the Lord is at home and is welcome.  God obviously knows where He is and is not welcome. A congress who is trying to save the world using bribes and lies obviously does not welcome the Spirit of Truth.  We cannot change the hearts of the elitist/swindlers in congress, and even in the dreadful apostate preachers spewing evil lies throughout the world.  We really only have a choice about what is in our own hearts.  What is in the heart of the individual does make a difference.  If you want to be someone who makes a difference for good, then put the good things of God into your heart. Truth matters.  Never forget that.

By the way, this is not a ‘stick your head in the sand’ and ignore what is going on politically article.  This is an article that hopefully will help us to not be distracted by current events, but will rather help us to focus on the things of eternity.  I suppose there is nothing like having the rug pulled out from under you to make you look for a more stable place to put your rug!  In America, have we Christians placed too much emphasis on the freedoms we enjoy, and not enough emphasis on the things of God?  I do know this much for certain. It is our duty to vote and voice our opinions regarding government; but, these are not the things that will bring about restoring our Godly heritage.  The foundations on which this nation was built can only be repaired by people returning to a Biblical standard of morality and righteousness.  This cannot be legislated or forbidden in government.  That must be done in the heart of the individual.  The way to combat the evil leaders in Washington is to get our own hearts right with God and preach the gospel.  And, that has been our commission all along.  The burden of nationalized health care and additional greedy taxes do not change anything regarding our earthly job or our heavenly eternity.

Standing on the Promises of God   -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ9ZJPIDkis

I Love to Tell the Story - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BE_SryWgNY

Barbara Henderson

Your Own Best Interests - who knows them best - you or the government?

I happen to be someone who wants MORE than the government can give me. I also know my own best interests much better than some bureaucrat!

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Obama says Netanyahu doesn't know his own best interests.  http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=56500 

There is an entire encyclopedia of information on Obama in that simple statement.  The truth is Obama's actions show that he believes that NO ONE – including you and me – have the mental capacity to know our own best interests.  His actions also show that he believes that HE knows our best interests and that gives him the right to circumvent our will.  That is exactly what he is attepting to do with his massive 'executive orders'. The only possible equal to Obama at this time in the arrogant narcissistic field is Michael Bloomberg who believes he has the right to determine what size soda pop people should be allowed to drink and that he knows better than a doctor in an ER how much pain medication someone should have. They want the government to be in charge of everything and dole it out to the people on an 'as needed' basis.  Of course 'as needed according to them - not the people standing in need.'

I happen to be someone who wants MORE than the government can give me.  I also know my own best interests much better than some bureaucrat! 

Here are some things that I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt:

It is not in my best interests to give up my first amendment right to freedom of religion! Since I am also guaranteed freedom of speech in the same amendment I am also guaranteed that I may speak freely about my religion.  I am guaranteed to be able to write what I want to write, assemble publicly and petition the government as a means of addressing grievances. 

(1. 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.) 

It is not in my best interests to give up my second amendment right to have guns!

(2. A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.) 

It is not in my best interest to give up my third amendment right to privacy in my home!

(3. No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.)

It is not in my best interest to give up my fourth amendment right to unreasonable search and seizure in the name of ‘safety’.

(4. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.)

It is not in my best interest to give up my fifth amendment right to grand jury indictment and the freedom to refuse to give testimony against myself, or double jeopardy.

(5. No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. 

It is not in my best interest to give up my sixth amendment right to a speedy public trial!

(6 In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.)

It is not in my best interest to give up my seventh amendment right to trial by jury in matters over $20. (civil court)

(7. In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.)

It is not in my best interest to give up my eighth amendment right to freedom from excessive bail, excessive fines, or cruel and unusual punishment.  (I have a concern that expressing freedom of religion will cause this amendment to become increasingly important.)

(8. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.)

It is not in my best interest to give up my ninth amendment right to all freedoms not expressly given to the government in the Constitution.

(9.The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.)

It is not in my best interests to give up my tenth amendment right to live in a state where the state has powers not expressly delegated to the US by the Constitution.

(10. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.)

It is also NOT in my best interests to give my life to the government in exchange for entitlements and so-called safety.  It is not in my best interest to let food police tell me what kind of milk I can drink!  (I don’t actually drink milk, but it is infuriating that the government is wasting tax payer dollars prosecuting people for drinking fresh milk!  People have the mental capacity to weigh the risks involved and make a choice.  To the US government I say, ‘Get your nose out of my business!)

Here is an interesting quote by a president that is still revered by most Americans.

‘We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.’

Abraham Lincoln

Now, I wonder exactly what he meant when he said that? 

I know that the America we are facing now has potential for violence.  If Obama – who claims to know our own best interests better than we do – doesn’t stop circumventing the Constitution of the United States of America then violence may be in the future.

Currently Texas is introducing bill in congress stating that it will arrest federal agents who come to Texas to enforce rules that are unconstitutional.  http://www.texasgopvote.com/issues/stop-big-government/tx-reps-toth-simpson-texas-will-arrest-feds-enforcing-obama-gun-orders-and-tsa-005027

Since the big issue is gun control, I believe violence is more than likely.  Actually the big issue has nothing to do with gun control.  It has 100% to do with control period!  The government wants to control YOU and they know that is much harder when the second amendment is in effect. So, once again, those who ‘know your own best interests better than you do’ are attempting to change the public’s perception of the problem.  Total control of the citizens begins with controlling the guns.  There is not one single shred of evidence that taking guns away from citizens who have broken no laws will reduce crimes.  In fact, the evidence proves just the opposite!

Here are some frightening statistics from Australia regarding crime increase after the gun ban there.

‘AUSTRALIA: MORE VIOLENT CRIME DESPITE GUN BAN

April 13, 2009

It is a common fantasy that gun bans make society safer.  In 2002 -- five years after enacting its gun ban -- the Australian Bureau of Criminology acknowledged there is no correlation between gun control and the use of firearms in violent crime.  In fact, the percent of murders committed with a firearm was the highest it had ever been in 2006 (16.3 percent), says the D.C. Examiner.

Even Australia's Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research acknowledges that the gun ban had no significant impact on the amount of gun-involved crime:

In 2006, assault rose 49.2 percent and robbery 6.2 percent.

Sexual assault -- Australia's equivalent term for rape -- increased 29.9 percent.
Overall, Australia's violent crime rate rose 42.2 percent.
Moreover, Australia and the United States -- where no gun-ban exists -- both experienced similar decreases in murder rates:

Between 1995 and 2007, Australia saw a 31.9 percent decrease; without a gun ban, America's rate dropped 31.7 percent.

During the same time period, all other violent crime indices increased in Australia: assault rose 49.2 percent and robbery 6.2 percent.

Sexual assault -- Australia's equivalent term for rape -- increased 29.9 percent.

Overall, Australia's violent crime rate rose 42.2 percent.
At the same time, U.S. violent crime decreased 31.8 percent: rape dropped 19.2 percent; robbery decreased 33.2 percent; aggravated assault dropped 32.2 percent.

Australian women are now raped over three times as often as American women.

While this doesn't prove that more guns would impact crime rates, it does prove that gun control is a flawed policy.  Furthermore, this highlights the most important point: gun banners promote failed policy regardless of the consequences to the people who must live with them, says the Examiner.

Source: Howard Nemerov, "Australia experiencing more violent crime despite gun ban," D.C. Examiner, April 8, 2009.

http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?Article_ID=17847 ‘

Here we are in America liberals are attempting to circumvent the second amendment ‘in our own best interests’ when they obviously have no care for those who have to live with the consequences of their vile actions.  Honestly – all they are doing is what is in THEIR own best interests.  They want more power. They are willing to take it if we let them. 

 

 

 

 

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