Iranians walk past a revolutionary mural in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 17, 2016. (Raheb Homavandi / Reuters )
President Donald Trump, in consultation with his national security team, has approved a new strategy which focuses on neutralizing Iran’s destabilizing influence and constraining its aggression, particularly its support for terrorism and militants.
This strategy will aggressively counter threats to the United States and its allies from ballistic missiles and other asymmetric weapons, which includes denying the Iranian regime—and especially the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—funding for its illicit activities, and opposing IRGC activities that extort the wealth of the Iranian people.
After nine months of deliberation with Congress and American allies on how to best protect American security, President Trump intends that the U.S. will deny the Iranian regime and stop all paths to a nuclear weapon.
President Trump said, “It is time for the entire world to join us in demanding that Iran’s government end its pursuit of death and destruction.”
“The Obama administration’s policy toward Iran has allowed this terrorist regime to get closer to its goal of obtaining a nuclear weapon,” said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel, President of Christians in Defense of Israel, and Founder and President of Covenant Journey. “President Trump is finally putting an end to the dangerous policy of the Obama administration. President Trump has inherited a mess from prior Republican and Democratic presidents who liked to talk but were afraid to act. I am encouraged that we now have a president who will protect America, Israel and our many allies by demanding a change in the Iranian’s regime’s behavior.”
Readers are Leaders! Subscribe now and get 3 magazines for the price of 1. Get Charisma, Ministry Today and SpiritLed Woman all for $24. YES – Sign me up!
3 Reasons Why you should read Life in the Spirit. 1) Get to know the Holy Spirit. 2) Learn to enter God’s presence 3) Hear God’s voice clearly! Click here to draw closer to God!
Melania and Donald Trump. (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)
A headline on the conservative, RedState website announces, “Trump’s Cheap ‘Merry Christmas’ Christianity Continues to Sway Evangelicals.” Is this true?
According to Kimberly Ross, “Last year, congregants at the Church of Trump stormed into polling places nationwide and voted a godless reality star into the highest office in the land.”
But that was only the beginning. Since then, Ross claims, “It’s been crystal-clear that too many evangelical Trump supporters have not only placed their political faith in the real estate magnate; they have become sold-out disciples for him. It seems as if, in their eyes, the GOP and Christianity are interchangeable.”
What prompted Ross to pen this article now, in Oct. 2017? It was President Trump’s appearance at FRC’s Values Voter’s Summit. He was the first sitting president to speak at this annual D.C. summit, and he received a thunderous response when he made clear that we would be saying, “Merry Christmas” again. In the words of Ross, “Home run! And the crowd … goes … wild.”
Yes, “The proud, starry-eyed evangelicals who cast their ballot for the Christian-in-chief believe Trump has miraculously brought faith back to the nation.
“And that is all that matters.”
Is Ross being fair? Yes and no—and that is a very big no.
On the “yes” side, it is true that we evangelicals can be guilty of making “Merry Christmas” into a big deal, no doubt the result of what we perceive to be the constant attack on our faith. So, when the president pushes the right button and uses the right line in the right setting, he’s sure to get a response.
Overall, saying “Merry Christmas” is the least of our concerns, and Ross’ criticisms here are fair.
It’s also true that some evangelicals have been guilty of turning Trump into Saint Donald. He is presented (by a precious few) as a truly Christian man who can do no wrong, a selfless champion of the people whose most unbecoming tweets are justified because of the fierceness of the battle. He is one of us, and he is our hero!
I addressed this concern during the campaign, and since the election, I have urged my fellow evangelical leaders not to sell their souls in defense of our president. We only discredit ourselves when we ignore his shortcomings.
Worse still, we hurt our witness. People are less likely to hear our message about Jesus when we seem oblivious to the president’s clay feet.
Having said this, I believe that in other, more serious ways, Ross has missed the boat.
In my experience, most evangelical leaders do not turn a blind eye when Trump speaks or acts in a way that we find objectionable. And I know very few leaders who voted for him without reservation, as if we had no reason to be concerned. (For my own reflections last October, see here.)
Instead, we were voting against Hillary, we were voting for someone who would take on the system (including the Republican establishment), and we were voting for a man whom we hoped God could use despite there being no evidence that he was an evangelical Christian. In other words, we voted with our eyes wide open, and we continue to have our eyes wide open.
But were we unjustified in some of our expectations? Were we wrong in thinking that he would stand for religious liberties? Were we wrong in thinking that he would nominate pro-life, conservative justices to the Supreme Court and federal courts? Were we wrong in thinking that he would stand against radical LGBT activism? Were we wrong in thinking that he would be a friend of Israel?
Even Ross admits that “some of Trump’s presidential actions have indeed been worthy of praise by communities of faith (see his recent protection of religious liberty).” But, she continues in the same sentence, “It is his cheap brand of convenient, crowd-pleasing, substance-free Christianity that is truly loathsome.”
I concur that this brand of “Christianity” is loathsome, but it’s not the brand I’m embracing, nor is it the brand my evangelical colleagues are embracing. Instead, we see our biblically-based, sacred, evangelical faith for what it is, and we see the president for who he is: An ally and friend; a fearless, strong-headed leader; a rough and tumble, often impetuous, sometimes unwise, even divisive commander in chief.
But he is not the representative of our faith, nor do we look to him to be a Christian leader, let alone the “Christian in chief.” To repeat: Our eyes are wide open.
At the same time, we will be quick to thank him for doing good, we will stand with him against unfair criticism, and we will pray that he will truly know and walk with the Lord.
In my opinion, Ross is reading far too much into the president’s speech at the Values Voter Summit, as if the audience should not have appreciated his presence there—again, he was the first sitting president to address this convention—and as if they should have booed, rather than cheered, when he made his “Merry Christmas” comments.
Most evangelicals I know grimace when he sends out a “Psycho Joe” tweet but rejoice when he appoints a Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. They’re willing to put up with the former for the sake of the latter, although they wish the former would finally stop. And you can be assured they are not mistaking Donald Trump for the apostle Paul. Trust me on that.
Readers are Leaders! Subscribe now and get 3 magazines for the price of 1. Get Charisma, Ministry Today and SpiritLed Woman all for $24. YES – Sign me up!
3 Reasons Why you should read Life in the Spirit. 1) Get to know the Holy Spirit. 2) Learn to enter God’s presence 3) Hear God’s voice clearly! Click here to draw closer to God!
In recent months, there has been much conversation about how Washington, D.C. operates. I’d like to add my voice to the conversation, especially about the Senate rules and procedures.
Specifically, the Senate rule which requires 60 votes to pass any legislation. This is why that particular rule is so important: The Senate has 100 members. Right now, there are 46 Democrats and 52 Republicans leaving 2 independents that associate with the Democrats.
To put it simply, 48 Democrats and 52 Republicans. This means that in order for Republicans to pass any conservative legislation they need 8 Democrats’ votes and that’s assuming all of the Republicans are on board.
The main argument of those in favor of keeping the 60-vote threshold is that the Senate is a deliberative body, and this rule ensures that the minority voice is always heard. This belief is one of naiveté and innocence. It assumes that the minority party (currently Democrat) is fair-minded and willing to negotiate for the greater good of the country. Anyone who has kept an eye on Washington over the past few years understands that the Democrats are deeply out of touch with the American people. This is why in November of last year the American electorate gave Republicans control of the House, Senate and White House. The Democratic Party has openly said its main goal under President Trump is to “resist.” That means opposing anything and everything that was a campaign promise by the president.
If our country was in good or even decent condition, then keeping the arcane 60-vote rule in the Senate might be a noble cause. However, as we all know, our country is in horrible shape. This is why maintaining the status quo for the sake of the minority is bad. The status quo means that America continues killing millions of innocent humans in the womb. The status quo means our debt continues rising by the trillions. The status quo means gangs continue their killing of innocent lives in Chicago and other cities. The status quo means America’s border remains largely open while millions of illegal aliens pour in. The status quo means the government continues its overreach into America’s healthcare system. The list goes on.
A few months ago, there were zero senators in favor of ending the 60-vote threshold in order to pass President Trump’s agenda. As of today, Senators Ted Cruz of Texas, Steve Daines of Montana and Luther Strange and Richard Shelby of Alabama have all come out in favor of bypassing the 60-vote threshold in order to pass President Trump’s legislative agenda. This is in large part because of the American Family Association, which has been the lone voice in the conservative movement calling on the Senate to bypass these arcane rules. Our team here at the AFA know that no good legislation will make it to the president’s desk as long as this rule is kept. Priorities such as blocking federal funds to abortion providers, authorizing border wall construction, and fully repealing Obamacare will never see the light of day if it takes 60 votes to pass the Senate.
If the status quo is maintained, we might be looking at a Senate and congressional election in 2018 where Republicans have zero legislative achievements to tout. Americans are fed up with the inaction in Washington and we deserve a Congress that will stop twiddling its thumbs and do something. I’ve continually argued that Republican leadership wants to maintain the 60-vote rule to protect itself from actually having to take hard votes and get things done. This is a way to maintain the status quo and protect the swamp. Americans must continue to urge their senators to end the 60-vote rule and start getting things done.
Readers are Leaders! Subscribe now and get 3 magazines for the price of 1. Get Charisma, Ministry Today and SpiritLed Woman all for $24. YES – Sign me up!
3 Reasons Why you should read Life in the Spirit. 1) Get to know the Holy Spirit. 2) Learn to enter God’s presence 3) Hear God’s voice clearly! Click here to draw closer to God!
Topic: Stay Within The Name! [Tuesday, October 17, 2017]
Basic Scriptures: Psalm 91
You have probably read or heard of the word: “HEDGE” (Job 1: 8-10). This was the hedge of fire of protection round Job and it is still operating concerning every child of God. As long as you did not leave the hedge yourself, heaven is committed to protect you day and night. Reject the fear of premature death, armed robbery and any other harm as this year ends. Walk DAILY by faith in the fact that there is a hedge around you. The Word says, “Through knowledge shall the just be delivered” – Proverb 11: 9. Sleep and wake up with the knowledge that there is a hedge around you. But note this: The easiest way of killing a fish is to take it out of the water! If the devil is trying to hurt you or your family, the first thing he will do is to take you out of the hedge or the presence of God. Satan knows you will die a natural /spiritual death, once you are out of the hedge.
As long as you stay under the hedge, no weapon fashioned against you shall prosper. Resist sin or whatever will break your hedge. Ecclesiastes says, “whoever breaketh the hedge a serpent will bite him” (Ecc 10: 8b). Proverb 18: 10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and they are safe.” Oh! STAY WITHIN THE NAME! Can you fornicate, steal, keep malice, refuse to forgive, gossip, commit adultery, engage in illegal business, tell lies or exaggerate stories, etc, in the name of the Lord? No sir! No ma! You are safe as long as you STAY WITHIN THE NAME! IT IS A STRONG TOWER! Run from whatever you cannot do without that name (More of this in the next “WAR AGAINST HAMAN – 13”; the 2018 January 21 –day fasting booklet)!
As you go out today/daily, realize that God Himself is faithful and cannot deny Himself. Set your love on God and He will set His hedge around you (Psalm 91; 14). Being holy, prayerful, spending time with God, giving to God and your fellow men are ways of setting your love on God. He will deliver you, not once, not twice! He will deliver you always! Remember that: The best way to love something is to realize that it might be lost – (K. Chesterton). So keep your salvation and your protection daily by staying within THE NAME OF THE LORD!
THE LAGOS (LEKKI) MOUNTAIN INTERNATIONAL ANOINTING SERVICE is Saturday October 28th ; TIME: 8am-11.30am. VENUE: Manna Mountain Lekki (CHISCO B/STOP BEHIND OAMDO FILLING STATION) Theme: “AHITHOPHEL MUST DIE! HOUSEHOLD WICKEDNESS MUST DIE” Come with NAMES OF FAMILY MEMBERS and any point of contact. OCTOBER IS YOUR DAY!
Prayer Points: Take any song of worship as led.
1. In your own words, pray about today’s word as led.
2. By the grace of God, I shall not cross over the hedge!
3. Any plan to draw away from the hedge of THE NAME receive frustration in Jesus name (pray it seriously).
4. Pray as you are led today concerning any issue(s). By Bishop (Dr) Chris E. Kwakpovwe (Cek) Publisher/Writer Of ODM And Rev (Mrs) Flora E. Kwakpovwe (Fek) Co-Publisher/Writer Of ODM.
Topic: The Touch Of God [Tuesday October 17, 2017]
Scripture: And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; …After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town. Mark 8:22-26.
Thought For The Day: If you want to experience the touch of God, you must be willing to be led by Him.
Our anchor scripture tells the story of a blind man of Bethsaida who was brought to Jesus Christ to be touched by Him. Jesus took the blind man by hand and led him out of the town and after a little process; the man regained his sight. The lesson of this story is that it takes the willingness to be led by God to experience the Touch of God. The blind man allowed himself to be led of the Master and did not care where He was being taken to.
Beloved, one reason many people are not candidates for the touch of God is that they have their own agenda. They already know what they want to do with their lives and where they want to go. They only want the stamp and approval of God. People like that never experience the touch of God; they never go far with God.
If you want to experience the touch of God, you must be willing to be led by Him. You must come to a point where you can totally surrender your life’s direction to Him. God wants to touch and empower people who are not in charge of their motions and who have decided to entrust their future to His Hands.
Remember This: If you want to experience the touch of God, you must be willing to be led by Him.
Assignments:
1. Make up your mind to surrender your life to God and be willing to go anywhere He leads you even without knowing your destination like Abraham (Genesis 12).
2. Ask God for His touch for a change of your story.
Prayer: O LORD, I surrender my life, agenda and plans to You. Wherever You lead, I will follow in Jesus’ Name.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE TOUCH OF GOD.
Daily Reading: Jeremiah 30:1 to 31:26, 1 Timothy 2:1 to 15, Psalm 87:1 to 7, Proverbs 25:18 to 19.
Quote: Until a person is changed on the inside, nothing changes on the outside. Culled from 365 WISDOM CAPSULES by Dr Paul Enenche
Today In History: 17/10/1904 – Bank of Italy (Bank of America) opens its doors.
Amazing Fact: Running will form leg muscles faster and better than any other form of exercise since running uses ALL of the leg muscles. Don’t Forget To Attend: The Power Communion Services tomorrow by 4:45pm and 6:30pm for the preservation of your life and destiny. Invite your friends and loved ones.
Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), is a powerfully anointed church, headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Dr Paul and Becky Enenche, as the Senior Pastors. It is a power-packed arena where God’s Presence, Principles and Power are at work for the salvation, healing and restoration of human destinies and dignities.
Topic: Searching for Peace? [Tuesday October 17, 2017]
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee … —Isaiah 26:3
Are you searching for peace? Are you longing for it? You thought you would find it if you made a lot of money, but you didn’t find it. You thought you would find it in getting and accumulating a lot of knowledge, so you got all the degrees you could, but you didn’t find it, this peace. You’ve searched the religions of the world, but you haven’t found it. There are a thousand ways you’ve turned, trying to find peace, but you haven’t found it. When you come to Christ by an act of faith, He gives you the Holy Spirit who produces the fruit of the Spirit and gives you the peace that passes all understanding.
Prayer for the day: Your presence fills my mind with peace, Lord, bringing into perspective all that I need—You, my heavenly Father.
Written by Billy Graham, Founder of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association(BGEA). BGEA exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by every effective means and to equip the church and others to do the same.
Topic: Focus On The Victory That You Have In Christ — Tuesday October 17, 2017.
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4 KJV)
The bible tells us that we have been quickened, raised and made to sit together in Christ Jesus. We are already seated with Christ. Deliverance operates from the standpoint of victory. This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. That is why he did not say we are changed from weakness to glory, but from glory to glory and from strength to strength. This is the victory! God has already given you victory! So focus on the victory. Focus on the victory that will make you overcome the world. That victory is “even our faith”. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. The victory that overcomes the world is the word of God. No matter what the devil is doing you are coming out. Do not go about hunting for the devil. The devil is under your feet. If every time you pray, you are looking for the devil, change your prayer. When you begin to pray, thank God for his promises and celebrate him for the manifestation. Thank him that the barren shall keep house and be joyful mother of children. Thank him that long life is your portion, and that lines are fallen unto you in pleasant places. Thank him that you have a godly heritage. Thank him that whatever you do shall prosper and any tongue that rises against you in judgment shall be condemned. Thank him because the name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are saved.
When your prayer requests change from fighting devil to thanking God, you will begin to see the things you have never seen before because you will not be focusing on the devil. Find out what Jesus died for that already belongs to you and spend your prayer time thanking him for them. You will be shocked at the mega manifestation you will start receiving. Further Reading: 1 John 5:1-5, Ephesians 2:1-6 Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Isaiah 50-52; Evening- 1 Thessalonians 5
Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.
Topic: Our Success Is In God – Tuesday October 17, 2017.
Matthew 26:33 “Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.”
Text: Matthew 26:33
Just like Peter, we are often more confident of ourselves than God is. Many Christians are devastated when they fail in some area that they thought they had long since grown past. We need to realize that as long as we are in this mortal body, we cannot fall asleep at our battle station against the works of the flesh. If we do, our flesh is just as capable of sin as anyone else’s. If we fall, it should concern us but not surprise us. We should simply realize with Paul, that “in my flesh dwelleth no good thing,” get back into the spirit through confession and forgiveness, and go on with Jesus. The Lord has never had anyone who was qualified working for Him. Peter wasn’t qualified, and even at our best, neither are we. If we realize that we are nothing and have nothing, then we are prime candidates to be used by God.
Peter went on to become probably the best known of the twelve apostles. The Lord used him mightily. But He didn’t want him, or us, to forget that it was Christ in Peter and not Peter himself who was great.
This also illustrates the extent of our Father’s love and forgiveness. If God not only forgave Peter for his sin, but also reinstated and advanced him, then surely we have not pushed God’s grace beyond its limit. Where sin abounds, grace abounds much more.
God doesn’t see us as a failure – just a learner. God can redeem the worst “failure” and work it together for good (Rom 8:28). We need to think like God.
This message was written by The Association of Related Ministries International (ARMI) is an extension of Andrew Wommack Ministries (AWM). ARMI is a unique partnership committed to providing resources to help like-minded ministers succeed in a spirit of excellence and to draw from the experience and expertise of both the AWM and Charis Bible College staff. (www.awmi.net).
Most men who make a New Year’s resolution to never watch porn again find themselves back on the same websites in no time. Discover the only key that can truly set someone free.
Life in the Spirit exists to give you a deep understanding of who the Holy Spirit is, how He works in your life and how you can interact with Him on a daily basis.
When you lead other leaders, there are some specific truths that apply. If you don’t recognize these truths, you could end up losing your leaders and missing your most important goals.
Follow God on the most fulfilling journey of your life with Encounter the Holy Spirit! Break away from past hurts and press into the One who wants a personal encounter with you.
Receive the power and gifts that come through the Holy Spirit Baptism. Don’t go empty-handed; accept all that He has for you! His power is available to those who ask.
Break every stronghold with the power of the Holy Spirit. Use the power of your tongue to declare and decree the Word of God. Witness heaven move on your behalf.
Topic: God Calls The Shots — Tuesday October 17, 2017.
Text: 2 Chronicles 14:1-15
Key Verse:“And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.”(2 Chronicles 14:11).
A combination of self-confidence, forgetfulness and outright rebellion had been the hallmark of Israel through the ages. The result was that Israel was left so spiritually bankrupt that even tiny nations rode roughshod over her. King Asa must have learnt a great deal from Israel’s checkered history in warfare. He resolved to do all things to please God. Happy are those who walk by this rule: not to do that which is right in their own eyes or in the eyes of the world, but only what is approved by God. We find by experience that it is good to seek the Lord.
However, aiming at pleasing the Lord while pursuing the world, will amount to vexation of spirit. King Asa consulted with the people and concluded that they cannot afford to be complacent. He fortified Israel with defenced cities in strategic locations, and raised a combined army of five hundred and eighty thousand men from Judah and Benjamin. No sooner had he done this, than Ethiopia, heavily buoyed by a million-man strong army and three hundred chariots, invaded his kingdom.
This was a test of Israel’s allegiance to God. Asa’s prayer was short, but it was a real language of faith and expectation from God. He succeeded because he understood the meaning of handing over the reins to God, at his most vulnerable moment.
In times of turbulence, where lies your loyalty? It has to be firmly rooted in the Almighty. We should, by all means, avoid spiritual complacency because the state of today’s world demands watchfulness and intense prayers. God is ever willing to arm us with the requisite grace. As we go forth in His name, we are sure to win, knowing that all things work together for the good of those who love Him and enjoy His favour.
Thought for the day: Victory is sure when we fully trust in Jesus, the Master Strategist.
Bible Reading in one Year: 2 Kings 11-13
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
