This Is Why God Chose You for This Generation

I understand it a little differently. I I understand it a little differently. I believe it's a time of heightened believe it's a time of heightened believe it's a time of heightened spiritual activity. spiritual activity. spiritual activity. I believe God is moving in the most I believe God is moving in the most I believe God is moving in the most remarkable ways in the earth. remarkable ways in the earth. remarkable ways in the earth. I believe he's bringing freedom to I believe he's bringing freedom to I believe he's bringing freedom to people who have been oppressed. I think people who have been oppressed. I think people who have been oppressed. I think he's revealing himself to people who he's revealing himself to people who he's revealing himself to people who have hearts that are directed towards have hearts that are directed towards have hearts that are directed towards him. him. him. I believe we will see expressions of his I believe we will see expressions of his I believe we will see expressions of his power and the supernatural in ways that power and the supernatural in ways that power and the supernatural in ways that we haven't seen in my lifetime and I've we haven't seen in my lifetime and I've we haven't seen in my lifetime and I've been here for a day or two. been here for a day or two. been here for a day or two. And then I see I believe we see the And then I see I believe we see the And then I see I believe we see the corresponding responses from the corresponding responses from the corresponding responses from the principalities and powers and the principalities and powers and the principalities and powers and the spiritual forces of wickedness in the spiritual forces of wickedness in the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. heavenly places. heavenly places. The reason that distinction is important The reason that distinction is important The reason that distinction is important to me is if you perceive it is just a to me is if you perceive it is just a to me is if you perceive it is just a demonic attack, you're going to armor up demonic attack, you're going to armor up demonic attack, you're going to armor up and kind of huddle. You know, you want and kind of huddle. You know, you want and kind of huddle. You know, you want to go find a crevice where you can be to go find a crevice where you can be to go find a crevice where you can be sure that you've covered your flanks and sure that you've covered your flanks and sure that you've covered your flanks and you got the armor with you and you're you got the armor with you and you're you got the armor with you and you're prepared to to withstand the attack. prepared to to withstand the attack. prepared to to withstand the attack. I have a different imagination. I have a different imagination. I have a different imagination. Jesus said in Matthew's gospel that he Jesus said in Matthew's gospel that he Jesus said in Matthew's gospel that he would build his church and the gates of would build his church and the gates of would build his church and the gates of hell wouldn't be able to withstand it. hell wouldn't be able to withstand it. hell wouldn't be able to withstand it. The church in Jesus' presentation is not The church in Jesus' presentation is not The church in Jesus' presentation is not on the defensive. We're not defending on the defensive. We're not defending on the defensive. We're not defending our flanks.

our flanks. our flanks. Um in the first century the most common Um in the first century the most common Um in the first century the most common form of warfare was siege warfare. form of warfare was siege warfare. form of warfare was siege warfare. Cities had walls around them to protect Cities had walls around them to protect Cities had walls around them to protect them. Well, they didn't have Patriot them. Well, they didn't have Patriot them. Well, they didn't have Patriot missile batteries, they had walls. And missile batteries, they had walls. And missile batteries, they had walls. And the most vulnerable place in a city wall the most vulnerable place in a city wall the most vulnerable place in a city wall is the gate. They were usually built of is the gate. They were usually built of is the gate. They were usually built of wood or bronze. You could burn them, set wood or bronze. You could burn them, set wood or bronze. You could burn them, set fire to them, or batter them. It was fire to them, or batter them. It was fire to them, or batter them. It was easier than battering the the stones of easier than battering the the stones of easier than battering the the stones of the wall. So, when you attack the city, the wall. So, when you attack the city, the wall. So, when you attack the city, you would encircle the city, uh besiege you would encircle the city, uh besiege you would encircle the city, uh besiege it, nothing in, nothing out, starve the it, nothing in, nothing out, starve the it, nothing in, nothing out, starve the population, and then when you felt like population, and then when you felt like population, and then when you felt like you had the advantage, you would breach you had the advantage, you would breach you had the advantage, you would breach the walls typically through the gate. the walls typically through the gate. the walls typically through the gate. That's the image Jesus used in Matthew That's the image Jesus used in Matthew That's the image Jesus used in Matthew 16. He said, "I will establish my 16. He said, "I will establish my 16. He said, "I will establish my church. I'll build my church and the church. I'll build my church and the church. I'll build my church and the gates of hell won't withstand it." The gates of hell won't withstand it." The gates of hell won't withstand it." The church is not in a defensive posture. We church is not in a defensive posture. We church is not in a defensive posture. We are besieging the kingdom of darkness. are besieging the kingdom of darkness. are besieging the kingdom of darkness. And I believe that's what we're And I believe that's what we're And I believe that's what we're watching. The people of God have never watching. The people of God have never watching. The people of God have never been the majority. been the majority. been the majority. Jesus talked about a narrow gate and few Jesus talked about a narrow gate and few Jesus talked about a narrow gate and few who enter in. who enter in. who enter in. And then a broad gate that leads to And then a broad gate that leads to And then a broad gate that leads to destruction and many who enter in. I destruction and many who enter in. I destruction and many who enter in. I believe the people of God will always believe the people of God will always believe the people of God will always hold that minority position.

hold that minority position. hold that minority position. But we're we may be outnumbered, But we're we may be outnumbered, But we're we may be outnumbered, but we're never overpowered because the but we're never overpowered because the but we're never overpowered because the spirit that is within us is greater than spirit that is within us is greater than spirit that is within us is greater than the spirit that opposes us. The same the spirit that opposes us. The same the spirit that opposes us. The same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead spirit that raised Jesus from the dead spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you and me. We're not alone. dwells in you and me. We're not alone. dwells in you and me. We're not alone. We're not isolated. Jesus The The We're not isolated. Jesus The The We're not isolated. Jesus The The scripture says God said he would never scripture says God said he would never scripture says God said he would never leave us or forsake us. leave us or forsake us. leave us or forsake us. So, when we talk about this conflict in So, when we talk about this conflict in So, when we talk about this conflict in the earth, this shaking that's taking the earth, this shaking that's taking the earth, this shaking that's taking place, the things that are being peeled place, the things that are being peeled place, the things that are being peeled away, things that are being made visible away, things that are being made visible away, things that are being made visible that have been hidden, it leaves us that have been hidden, it leaves us that have been hidden, it leaves us uncomfortable. It leaves us feeling uncomfortable. It leaves us feeling uncomfortable. It leaves us feeling awkward. Uh there it's unstable and in awkward. Uh there it's unstable and in awkward. Uh there it's unstable and in in the instability we we recognize there in the instability we we recognize there in the instability we we recognize there is vulnerability. And apart from God, is vulnerability. And apart from God, is vulnerability. And apart from God, that's terrifying. that's terrifying. that's terrifying. But we're not apart from God. But we're not apart from God. But we're not apart from God. We have his indwelling presence. We have We have his indwelling presence. We have We have his indwelling presence. We have the help of the Holy Spirit. We have the the help of the Holy Spirit. We have the the help of the Holy Spirit. We have the authority of the name of Jesus and the authority of the name of Jesus and the authority of the name of Jesus and the power of his shed blood. But we have to power of his shed blood. But we have to power of his shed blood. But we have to pay attention because we're called to be pay attention because we're called to be pay attention because we're called to be ambassadors. ambassadors. ambassadors. Very clearly, we have an ambassadorial Very clearly, we have an ambassadorial Very clearly, we have an ambassadorial assignment. Not an assignment to sit in assignment. Not an assignment to sit in assignment. Not an assignment to sit in church and get our ticket punched to go church and get our ticket punched to go church and get our ticket punched to go to heaven, but to be ambassadors for the to heaven, but to be ambassadors for the to heaven, but to be ambassadors for the kingdom of God. My friend Mike Huckabee kingdom of God. My friend Mike Huckabee kingdom of God. My friend Mike Huckabee was appointed to be the ambassador for was appointed to be the ambassador for was appointed to be the ambassador for Israel.

Israel. Israel. I don't think he imagined he was going I don't think he imagined he was going I don't think he imagined he was going to be as busy as as he has been since he to be as busy as as he has been since he to be as busy as as he has been since he accepted that assignment and he moved accepted that assignment and he moved accepted that assignment and he moved from Little Rock to Jerusalem. from Little Rock to Jerusalem. from Little Rock to Jerusalem. He hasn't had a simple day since he He hasn't had a simple day since he He hasn't had a simple day since he arrived. But if we found out that Mike arrived. But if we found out that Mike arrived. But if we found out that Mike hadn't been doing his job, that our hadn't been doing his job, that our hadn't been doing his job, that our ambassador had been in Eilat on the Red ambassador had been in Eilat on the Red ambassador had been in Eilat on the Red Sea and he'd spent the last several Sea and he'd spent the last several Sea and he'd spent the last several months snorkeling, months snorkeling, months snorkeling, looking at the coral reefs in the Red looking at the coral reefs in the Red looking at the coral reefs in the Red Sea, Sea, Sea, we wouldn't just be frustrated. We would we wouldn't just be frustrated. We would we wouldn't just be frustrated. We would say he was derelict in his duty. say he was derelict in his duty. say he was derelict in his duty. Well, I would submit to you and me that Well, I would submit to you and me that Well, I would submit to you and me that we don't pay attention to what's we don't pay attention to what's we don't pay attention to what's happening in our world and and focus on happening in our world and and focus on happening in our world and and focus on what the word of God says and allow the what the word of God says and allow the what the word of God says and allow the spirit of God to direct our prayers and spirit of God to direct our prayers and spirit of God to direct our prayers and our engagement in the world around us, our engagement in the world around us, our engagement in the world around us, we're derelict in our duty. we're derelict in our duty. we're derelict in our duty. And so this current shaking has captured And so this current shaking has captured And so this current shaking has captured a bit of my attention. Not in anxiety, a bit of my attention. Not in anxiety, a bit of my attention. Not in anxiety, I'm not panicked, I'm not panicked, I'm not panicked, but I recognize when the adversary is but I recognize when the adversary is but I recognize when the adversary is saying something, we should listen. saying something, we should listen. saying something, we should listen. The Democratic Socialists of America The Democratic Socialists of America The Democratic Socialists of America made their policy platform public.

made their policy platform public. made their policy platform public. They are advocates for, they are in They are advocates for, they are in They are advocates for, they are in favor of, they said given more power, favor of, they said given more power, favor of, they said given more power, their intent is to do several things, their intent is to do several things, their intent is to do several things, some of which I will list for you. To some of which I will list for you. To some of which I will list for you. To dismantle the US Senate. dismantle the US Senate. dismantle the US Senate. They want to dismantle the executive They want to dismantle the executive They want to dismantle the executive branch. branch. branch. They want to dismantle the Supreme They want to dismantle the Supreme They want to dismantle the Supreme Court. Court. Court. They want to open our borders. They want to open our borders. They want to open our borders. They're in favor of abolishing ICE. They're in favor of abolishing ICE. They're in favor of abolishing ICE. They want to disband the police forces. They want to disband the police forces. They want to disband the police forces. They want to open the prisons. They want to open the prisons. They want to open the prisons. They want to grant amnesty to all They want to grant amnesty to all They want to grant amnesty to all immigrants regardless of their status. immigrants regardless of their status. immigrants regardless of their status. If they're convicted murderers or If they're convicted murderers or If they're convicted murderers or rapists or felons, they intend to give rapists or felons, they intend to give rapists or felons, they intend to give them citizenship. them citizenship. them citizenship. They're advocating for public ownership They're advocating for public ownership They're advocating for public ownership of our largest corporations. of our largest corporations. of our largest corporations. You know, when you first glance at that, You know, when you first glance at that, You know, when you first glance at that, you think, "Oh, it's just a group of you think, "Oh, it's just a group of you think, "Oh, it's just a group of fringe extremist and they shouldn't be fringe extremist and they shouldn't be fringe extremist and they shouldn't be taken with any credibility." taken with any credibility." taken with any credibility." But if you pause and you say, "Well, But if you pause and you say, "Well, But if you pause and you say, "Well, wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, there's been a socialist on the ballot there's been a socialist on the ballot there's been a socialist on the ballot for president in the last two election for president in the last two election for president in the last two election cycles and he was leading one of our cycles and he was leading one of our cycles and he was leading one of our major American parties major American parties major American parties and now and now and now they have seats in Congress and the they have seats in Congress and the they have seats in Congress and the Senate Senate Senate and they're planning with more than 100 and they're planning with more than 100 and they're planning with more than 100 candidates to make a stand this fall and candidates to make a stand this fall and candidates to make a stand this fall and they're brazen enough to put their they're brazen enough to put their they're brazen enough to put their platform on C-SPAN, we had better pay platform on C-SPAN, we had better pay platform on C-SPAN, we had better pay attention.

attention. attention. We can't ignore this. We can't ignore this. We can't ignore this. It's not just a fringe group with no It's not just a fringe group with no It's not just a fringe group with no adherents, a significant portion of our adherents, a significant portion of our adherents, a significant portion of our population are advocates for what they population are advocates for what they population are advocates for what they are articulating. are articulating. are articulating. I read an article recently I read an article recently I read an article recently that that connected what we're seeing that that connected what we're seeing that that connected what we're seeing and it was a secular article, it wasn't and it was a secular article, it wasn't and it was a secular article, it wasn't religious religious religious with what they deemed as the the the with what they deemed as the the the with what they deemed as the the the loss of shame in our culture. loss of shame in our culture. loss of shame in our culture. They said there was a time in American They said there was a time in American They said there was a time in American culture where the biblical worldview was culture where the biblical worldview was culture where the biblical worldview was more intact and there were some more intact and there were some more intact and there were some behaviors that were recognized as behaviors that were recognized as behaviors that were recognized as as not ideal. as not ideal. as not ideal. Simple things. They said there was a Simple things. They said there was a Simple things. They said there was a higher value placed upon work higher value placed upon work higher value placed upon work that work was seen as an expression of that work was seen as an expression of that work was seen as an expression of faith, as a way of honoring God, that faith, as a way of honoring God, that faith, as a way of honoring God, that God works and we worked God works and we worked God works and we worked and that if you didn't work, if you were and that if you didn't work, if you were and that if you didn't work, if you were unemployed and you were in a room full unemployed and you were in a room full unemployed and you were in a room full of your peers, you understood at that of your peers, you understood at that of your peers, you understood at that point of unemployment in that point of unemployment in that point of unemployment in that circumstance, you were in a position of circumstance, you were in a position of circumstance, you were in a position of less than that employment would improve less than that employment would improve less than that employment would improve your status and standing, no matter what your status and standing, no matter what your status and standing, no matter what the nature of that employment.

the nature of that employment. the nature of that employment. Well, that isn't true any longer. Well, that isn't true any longer. Well, that isn't true any longer. Now, in fact, we celebrate that the less Now, in fact, we celebrate that the less Now, in fact, we celebrate that the less work and the less effort tends to be the work and the less effort tends to be the work and the less effort tends to be the more celebrated position. You're smart more celebrated position. You're smart more celebrated position. You're smart enough. We work smarter, we don't work enough. We work smarter, we don't work enough. We work smarter, we don't work harder. If we can work less, if we can harder. If we can work less, if we can harder. If we can work less, if we can get our work-life balance to be get our work-life balance to be get our work-life balance to be diminished, the work portion and diminished, the work portion and diminished, the work portion and increase the more freedom for whatever increase the more freedom for whatever increase the more freedom for whatever else it is, it's a good thing. Uh we else it is, it's a good thing. Uh we else it is, it's a good thing. Uh we have more and more young adults living have more and more young adults living have more and more young adults living with their parents to a with their parents to a with their parents to a a later point in their lives and the a later point in their lives and the a later point in their lives and the article went on to say there was a time article went on to say there was a time article went on to say there was a time at which that wasn't considered to be at which that wasn't considered to be at which that wasn't considered to be the the the the greatest expression of merging, the greatest expression of merging, the greatest expression of merging, becoming an adult. But we've lost that. becoming an adult. But we've lost that. becoming an adult. But we've lost that. It isn't perceived that way any longer. It isn't perceived that way any longer. It isn't perceived that way any longer. It's it's a way of experiencing life It's it's a way of experiencing life It's it's a way of experiencing life more fully, of of not having to accept more fully, of of not having to accept more fully, of of not having to accept responsibility for yourself in as fully responsibility for yourself in as fully responsibility for yourself in as fully and you can explore and enjoy more and you can explore and enjoy more and you can explore and enjoy more completely. There's no shame in that. completely. There's no shame in that. completely. There's no shame in that. The article made the point it said that The article made the point it said that The article made the point it said that you know, the government used to provide you know, the government used to provide you know, the government used to provide a safety net that if you had a tragedy a safety net that if you had a tragedy a safety net that if you had a tragedy or a tragic occurrence or you needed or a tragic occurrence or you needed or a tragic occurrence or you needed unemployment, there was a safety net.

unemployment, there was a safety net. unemployment, there was a safety net. Something that you could fall into, but Something that you could fall into, but Something that you could fall into, but it wasn't something to it wasn't something to it wasn't something to to consider necessary. to consider necessary. to consider necessary. And they said now we've arrived at a And they said now we've arrived at a And they said now we've arrived at a point where the government provision is point where the government provision is point where the government provision is expected and anticipated. There's no expected and anticipated. There's no expected and anticipated. There's no shame in it. There's nothing reluctant shame in it. There's nothing reluctant shame in it. There's nothing reluctant about it and we're quite happy for the about it and we're quite happy for the about it and we're quite happy for the government to accept responsibility for government to accept responsibility for government to accept responsibility for our health care, our education, our our health care, our education, our our health care, our education, our higher education and anything else that higher education and anything else that higher education and anything else that we can get them to provide which makes we can get them to provide which makes we can get them to provide which makes the socialist argument far more the socialist argument far more the socialist argument far more acceptable. Now, the person that wrote acceptable. Now, the person that wrote acceptable. Now, the person that wrote that article wasn't making that that article wasn't making that that article wasn't making that presentation presentation presentation from a a religious standpoint, from a from a a religious standpoint, from a from a a religious standpoint, from a biblical point of view, biblical point of view, biblical point of view, but it was a pretty accurate description but it was a pretty accurate description but it was a pretty accurate description of the some of the trends that we're of the some of the trends that we're of the some of the trends that we're watching in our culture and makes us watching in our culture and makes us watching in our culture and makes us so much more vulnerable so much more vulnerable so much more vulnerable to this socialist communist perspective. to this socialist communist perspective. to this socialist communist perspective. Um this is a question that has been Um this is a question that has been Um this is a question that has been asked and answered in history. asked and answered in history. asked and answered in history. It's not new. It didn't begin with Zoran It's not new. It didn't begin with Zoran It's not new. It didn't begin with Zoran Momdani or Bernie Sanders. Momdani or Bernie Sanders. Momdani or Bernie Sanders. Bernie Sanders honeymooned in Moscow Bernie Sanders honeymooned in Moscow Bernie Sanders honeymooned in Moscow when it was part of the USSR.

when it was part of the USSR. when it was part of the USSR. Again, this question has been asked and Again, this question has been asked and Again, this question has been asked and answered in the public square. answered in the public square. answered in the public square. Communism creates great chaos at the Communism creates great chaos at the Communism creates great chaos at the point point point of of introducing those changes. It was of of introducing those changes. It was of of introducing those changes. It was true in Russia. It was true in China. true in Russia. It was true in China. true in Russia. It was true in China. It is It was true in Cuba. It is It was true in Cuba. It is It was true in Cuba. It's been true repeatedly and out of the It's been true repeatedly and out of the It's been true repeatedly and out of the chaos chaos chaos there is a there comes a cry for order there is a there comes a cry for order there is a there comes a cry for order and they step in and establish and they step in and establish and they step in and establish authoritarian leadership that does not authoritarian leadership that does not authoritarian leadership that does not bring benefit to the masses of the bring benefit to the masses of the bring benefit to the masses of the people. It doesn't bring greater people. It doesn't bring greater people. It doesn't bring greater opportunities. opportunities. opportunities. It it it um It it it um It it it um focuses the resources and the assets in focuses the resources and the assets in focuses the resources and the assets in the hands of the tiniest possible number the hands of the tiniest possible number the hands of the tiniest possible number of people of people of people and it doesn't bring advancement for the and it doesn't bring advancement for the and it doesn't bring advancement for the folks. In fact, communism in the last folks. In fact, communism in the last folks. In fact, communism in the last century, in the 20th century, the 1900s, century, in the 20th century, the 1900s, century, in the 20th century, the 1900s, the estimates vary a little bit. the estimates vary a little bit. the estimates vary a little bit. Conservatively, Conservatively, Conservatively, the the the most of those observing would say that most of those observing would say that most of those observing would say that there was more than 100 million deaths there was more than 100 million deaths there was more than 100 million deaths attributed to communism in the last attributed to communism in the last attributed to communism in the last century, not affiliated with battlefield century, not affiliated with battlefield century, not affiliated with battlefield deaths.

deaths. deaths. Cultural deaths, deaths from starvation, Cultural deaths, deaths from starvation, Cultural deaths, deaths from starvation, deaths from policies that were imposed. deaths from policies that were imposed. deaths from policies that were imposed. A hundred million people, not counting A hundred million people, not counting A hundred million people, not counting battlefield deaths. We're not talking battlefield deaths. We're not talking battlefield deaths. We're not talking about the the accumulated death from about the the accumulated death from about the the accumulated death from World War and World War and a host of World War and World War and a host of World War and World War and a host of other altercations around the globe. Mao other altercations around the globe. Mao other altercations around the globe. Mao in China with his great leap great leap in China with his great leap great leap in China with his great leap great leap forward, 1959 forward, 1959 forward, 1959 to '61, the estimates vary, but a to '61, the estimates vary, but a to '61, the estimates vary, but a conservative number seems to be as many conservative number seems to be as many conservative number seems to be as many as 50 million people died in China. as 50 million people died in China. as 50 million people died in China. 50 million 50 million 50 million under communist authority making a great under communist authority making a great under communist authority making a great leap forward. That doesn't sound like leap forward. That doesn't sound like leap forward. That doesn't sound like progress to me. Joseph Stalin in Russia, progress to me. Joseph Stalin in Russia, progress to me. Joseph Stalin in Russia, as many as 20 million deaths. as many as 20 million deaths. as many as 20 million deaths. Hitler was responsible for more than 11 Hitler was responsible for more than 11 Hitler was responsible for more than 11 million deaths million deaths million deaths as a part of the Holocaust, Jews and as a part of the Holocaust, Jews and as a part of the Holocaust, Jews and other people, not battlefield deaths. 11 other people, not battlefield deaths. 11 other people, not battlefield deaths. 11 million people intentionally murdered or million people intentionally murdered or million people intentionally murdered or died as a result of those policies of died as a result of those policies of died as a result of those policies of murder and persecution.

murder and persecution. murder and persecution. So, when we look at communism, socialism So, when we look at communism, socialism So, when we look at communism, socialism gaining a foothold in America, please gaining a foothold in America, please gaining a foothold in America, please understand capitalism and socialism as understand capitalism and socialism as understand capitalism and socialism as it's presented cannot coexist. it's presented cannot coexist. it's presented cannot coexist. There's not a negotiation to be had There's not a negotiation to be had There's not a negotiation to be had between the two that's a compromise that between the two that's a compromise that between the two that's a compromise that will enable us to be a good capitalistic will enable us to be a good capitalistic will enable us to be a good capitalistic socialistic society. socialistic society. socialistic society. It it it just it's not a reasonable It it it just it's not a reasonable It it it just it's not a reasonable expectation. History tells us otherwise expectation. History tells us otherwise expectation. History tells us otherwise and we either learn from history or and we either learn from history or and we either learn from history or we're doomed to repeat it. So, it seems to me the question, this is So, it seems to me the question, this is what they asked me at the gym the other what they asked me at the gym the other what they asked me at the gym the other morning, is morning, is morning, is what do we do? How do we respond to what do we do? How do we respond to what do we do? How do we respond to this? this? this? You know, do we just vote? What How What You know, do we just vote? What How What You know, do we just vote? What How What do we do? And I I don't think so. I do we do? And I I don't think so. I do we do? And I I don't think so. I don't think our problem is primarily a don't think our problem is primarily a don't think our problem is primarily a political problem. political problem. political problem. I think our problem is a spiritual I think our problem is a spiritual I think our problem is a spiritual problem. How do we find ourselves with problem. How do we find ourselves with problem. How do we find ourselves with the most the largest city in America, the most the largest city in America, the most the largest city in America, the most powerful American city, the the most powerful American city, the the most powerful American city, the most celebrated American city, New York most celebrated American city, New York most celebrated American city, New York City, under the influence of an elected City, under the influence of an elected City, under the influence of an elected socialist communist Muslim?

socialist communist Muslim? socialist communist Muslim? How do we get there? How do we get there? How do we get there? Well, I I have told you often, and I Well, I I have told you often, and I Well, I I have told you often, and I believe it's true, believe it's true, believe it's true, that elections don't make us healthier that elections don't make us healthier that elections don't make us healthier or weaker as a nation. or weaker as a nation. or weaker as a nation. There There may be policies that come There There may be policies that come There There may be policies that come forth out of those elected officials forth out of those elected officials forth out of those elected officials that do that. I think elections reveal that do that. I think elections reveal that do that. I think elections reveal the spiritual condition of our nation. the spiritual condition of our nation. the spiritual condition of our nation. In the same way, when I go to a doctor In the same way, when I go to a doctor In the same way, when I go to a doctor and I have blood drawn and they do a and I have blood drawn and they do a and I have blood drawn and they do a blood panel, blood panel, blood panel, they do a CBC, I mean, they come back they do a CBC, I mean, they come back they do a CBC, I mean, they come back and they say your cholesterol's high or and they say your cholesterol's high or and they say your cholesterol's high or your your your >> [sighs] >> [sighs] >> [sighs] >> I don't know, your your glucose levels >> I don't know, your your glucose levels >> I don't know, your your glucose levels are too high. are too high. are too high. The blood screen from the lab doesn't The blood screen from the lab doesn't The blood screen from the lab doesn't make me healthier or less healthy. make me healthier or less healthy. make me healthier or less healthy. It's It reveals the condition of my It's It reveals the condition of my It's It reveals the condition of my physical well-being. physical well-being. physical well-being. Well, I think elections reveal the Well, I think elections reveal the Well, I think elections reveal the condition of our spiritual well-being or condition of our spiritual well-being or condition of our spiritual well-being or lack thereof. lack thereof. lack thereof. And I think our spiritual immune system And I think our spiritual immune system And I think our spiritual immune system is so weak, so faulty, we've been so is so weak, so faulty, we've been so is so weak, so faulty, we've been so disengaged, so removed from the public disengaged, so removed from the public disengaged, so removed from the public square, so huddled within our churches, square, so huddled within our churches, square, so huddled within our churches, so focused on debates in our private so focused on debates in our private so focused on debates in our private theological societies, that we can elect theological societies, that we can elect theological societies, that we can elect a socialist, a socialist, a socialist, communist, Muslim to the lead the most communist, Muslim to the lead the most communist, Muslim to the lead the most powerful city in America.

powerful city in America. powerful city in America. That's not very healthy. That's not very healthy. That's not very healthy. And now we have dozens and dozens of And now we have dozens and dozens of And now we have dozens and dozens of candidates on on ballots for our candidates on on ballots for our candidates on on ballots for our election this fall, and we're waking up election this fall, and we're waking up election this fall, and we're waking up to find this policy being announced over to find this policy being announced over to find this policy being announced over our nation our nation our nation with the glee of a prophet, with the glee of a prophet, with the glee of a prophet, and it will take the spirit of God to and it will take the spirit of God to and it will take the spirit of God to turn it back. turn it back. turn it back. So, what do we do? So, what do we do? So, what do we do? That's the question we always ask on That's the question we always ask on That's the question we always ask on this podcast. this podcast. this podcast. And I I know it sounds overly And I I know it sounds overly And I I know it sounds overly simplistic, but I don't believe it is simplistic, but I don't believe it is simplistic, but I don't believe it is cuz I don't believe it's simple, but I cuz I don't believe it's simple, but I cuz I don't believe it's simple, but I believe the ultimate resolution is the believe the ultimate resolution is the believe the ultimate resolution is the advancement of the gospel. advancement of the gospel. advancement of the gospel. I think we have to come back to our I think we have to come back to our I think we have to come back to our senses and become to be advocates, senses and become to be advocates, senses and become to be advocates, ambassadors for the gospel of Jesus ambassadors for the gospel of Jesus ambassadors for the gospel of Jesus Christ in our families, in our family Christ in our families, in our family Christ in our families, in our family systems, in our neighborhoods, at the systems, in our neighborhoods, at the systems, in our neighborhoods, at the ball fields where we go with our ball fields where we go with our ball fields where we go with our children and our grandchildren, in the children and our grandchildren, in the children and our grandchildren, in the schools that our children attend, in the schools that our children attend, in the schools that our children attend, in the places that we work, in the hospitals, places that we work, in the hospitals, places that we work, in the hospitals, in the courtrooms, in the factory in the courtrooms, in the factory in the courtrooms, in the factory floors, in the job sites. We go as floors, in the job sites. We go as floors, in the job sites. We go as ambassadors for Jesus. We've lost that ambassadors for Jesus. We've lost that ambassadors for Jesus. We've lost that momentum.

momentum. momentum. We've been told that Jesus offends some We've been told that Jesus offends some We've been told that Jesus offends some people, so we've been quiet. people, so we've been quiet. people, so we've been quiet. If we take our faith or even take our If we take our faith or even take our If we take our faith or even take our Bible or we're we have a public Bible or we're we have a public Bible or we're we have a public discussion or we wear some Christian discussion or we wear some Christian discussion or we wear some Christian symbol on our clothing, and people were symbol on our clothing, and people were symbol on our clothing, and people were offended, we've withdrawn from that offended, we've withdrawn from that offended, we've withdrawn from that discussion. discussion. discussion. Well, I find people who are advocates Well, I find people who are advocates Well, I find people who are advocates for a whole whole host of other for a whole whole host of other for a whole whole host of other worldviews, they haven't withdrawn from worldviews, they haven't withdrawn from worldviews, they haven't withdrawn from the public discussion. We have pride the public discussion. We have pride the public discussion. We have pride month in June where the majority of month in June where the majority of month in June where the majority of American states celebrate the LGBTQ American states celebrate the LGBTQ American states celebrate the LGBTQ agenda. agenda. agenda. And the Christians quietly stand on the And the Christians quietly stand on the And the Christians quietly stand on the sidelines. I'm grateful to say that sidelines. I'm grateful to say that sidelines. I'm grateful to say that Tennessee and a handful of other states Tennessee and a handful of other states Tennessee and a handful of other states this year chose a different response to this year chose a different response to this year chose a different response to the month of June. the month of June. the month of June. But folks, we have been on the sideline But folks, we have been on the sideline But folks, we have been on the sideline long enough. long enough. long enough. We don't have to be angry. We don't have We don't have to be angry. We don't have We don't have to be angry. We don't have to be belligerent. We certainly don't to be belligerent. We certainly don't to be belligerent. We certainly don't have to be violent, have to be violent, have to be violent, but we don't have to capitulate to but we don't have to capitulate to but we don't have to capitulate to wickedness. We are advocates for the wickedness. We are advocates for the wickedness. We are advocates for the transformation of the hearts of men and transformation of the hearts of men and transformation of the hearts of men and women. women. women. That's the best possible outcome for That's the best possible outcome for That's the best possible outcome for human beings. human beings. human beings. Not Not Not not simple, but worthwhile.

not simple, but worthwhile. not simple, but worthwhile. And I believe if we will do that, we And I believe if we will do that, we And I believe if we will do that, we will see God respond. We don't have to will see God respond. We don't have to will see God respond. We don't have to have the majority. have the majority. have the majority. God changes circumstances. He brings God changes circumstances. He brings God changes circumstances. He brings victories with minority responses. You victories with minority responses. You victories with minority responses. You know this if you've ever read your know this if you've ever read your know this if you've ever read your Bible. Bible. Bible. Gideon God took Gideon and Gideon God took Gideon and Gideon God took Gideon and 300 men 300 men 300 men and they overcame a vastly superior and they overcame a vastly superior and they overcame a vastly superior force. Vastly superior by number, force. Vastly superior by number, force. Vastly superior by number, but Gideon and those 300 people with but Gideon and those 300 people with but Gideon and those 300 people with him, their battlefield tools were a clay him, their battlefield tools were a clay him, their battlefield tools were a clay pot with a candle, a torch in it, and a pot with a candle, a torch in it, and a pot with a candle, a torch in it, and a trumpet. trumpet. trumpet. And with that as a beginning point, they And with that as a beginning point, they And with that as a beginning point, they had a powerful military victory. had a powerful military victory. had a powerful military victory. And God will bring the victory to his And God will bring the victory to his And God will bring the victory to his people and his purposes people and his purposes people and his purposes if we will cooperate with him.