This video is from a testimony that was given a few weeks back at our Sunday service. I hope this strikes you as a sign of the times were living in (the title says it all)...please continue praying.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
A Note from Dutch Sheets on the election
Really appreciated this letter from Mr. Sheets...we are in firm agreement, pray with us that the church would wake up and its have eyes opened.
A Note from Dutch Sheets on the election
November 6, 2008
I feel certain that many in my stream of the Church want a
statement from me concerning Tuesday's presidential
election. I will be frank in my remarks but I do not,
however, intend to vent anger or attack anyone. I have read
several statements from friends and colleagues I respect
very much.
Their thoughts are well stated and, for the most part,
insightful. None of them, however, seem to want to say some
things that I believe need to be said. I do not claim
infallibility or to have the final word, but my convictions
run deep and I believe I bear a God-given responsibility to
share them.
Was This God's Will?
Was what happened Tuesday God's will? I am quite
confident it was not. America was offered a very clear
choice between moving further toward protecting the unborn
or further away; between a Supreme Court that would move
toward honoring God, life and morality or away from it. The
stakes couldn't have been higher nor the cost greater.
As a nation we put on blinders concerning Barak Obama's
background, associations, beliefs and practices, and set
these causes back years, possibly decades.
And in doing so we took another step away from God and His
plans for America, and another step toward judgment.
Judgment Will Increase
This is not a fire and brimstone warning from an angry,
legalistic preacher. In fact, I feel more sadness and grief
than anything else.
Perhaps I feel what Jesus felt as He wept for Jerusalem
while announcing its judgment. I am not hoping for judgment;
I am saying it is inevitable. I don't know where the
unbiblical belief comes from that says a nation can live any
way it pleases, can reject God and His ways-even mock
Him-and not receive His judgments. Nor do I know when the
belief came that it is always mean-spirited or judgmental to
warn of these things. To the contrary, I believe it is our
responsibility.
In warning of judgment, I am not suggesting that God is
going to intentially and directly hurt people. Much judgment
is simply the absence of God's protection and provision,
caused by a rejection of His laws and ways. We have been
experiencing some forms of judgment in America for years,
but God in His incredible patience and mercy has kept us
from the level we've deserved.
I believe this will change to a degree and judgment will
now
increase:
For those in the Church who aligned themselves with
pro-abortion forces, I believe judgment will result.
For leaders in the Body of Christ who refused to take a
stand for fear of losing people, money, and tax-exempt
status-I believe there will be a degree of judgment.
For those, both within the Church and without, who voted
money over morality-a potential raise or better health
insurance over the life of a baby-there will be judgment.
(The irony is that this decision to base one's vote on
the hopes of a better economy won't produce the hoped
for result anyway. The scriptures teach that it is
righteousness which exalts a nation and that the nation is
blessed whose God is the Lord.)
I have heard the argument that God cares as much about
social justice issues (such as poverty and racism) as He
does abortion, making a vote for Obama OK. I certainly
believe God puts a very high priority on caring for the poor
and I, too, have wanted to see equality demonstrated through
a "minority" president. But to equate having a
better income or the desire for a first black president,
regardless of his positions on abortion and morality, to the
issue of killing 50 million babies is not justice-it is a
gross distortion of justice and great deception. I fear that
we have been desensitized to this issue of abortion. I
believe it kills babies and takes innocent life. I also
believe it is blood sacrifice that empowers demons.
Let's not forget this in our noble attempts to be kind
and conciliatory.
For African Americans I can easily see how it could bring
healing to have a first black president, just as it would be
for Native Americans to achieve this or for women if a woman
were elected president. Again, I have wanted to see justice
in this way. I am only saddened that the price for this
healing ended up being Barak Obama, a man that will set the
cause of life and, most-likely, our God-given destiny as a
nation back so drastically. (I also realize there are some
who interpret any criticism of Obama as racism. Racism is so
NOT what I am about nor what I live, that I will not even
dignify any such accusations with a response.
What Can We Expect?
What are some of the judgments we can expect on our nation
from this election?
More economic woes
More violence in an already violent nation
Disease and death (satan, who is responsible for these
things will have greater inroads to our nation.)
Natural disasters (weather-tornadoes, hurricanes, floods,
drought; fires; earthquakes; etc.)
Terrorism (they will fear us much less now)
War, perhaps on our own soil
Judgments relating to the Court. The stacking of the
Supreme Court against the sanctity of life and God's
influence on America will occur, which will in turn cause
the shedding of more innocent blood, more rejection of
God's laws and the stealing from us of our godly
heritage-all of which will perpetuate a cycle of even more
judgment.
How Did This Happen?
I've been asked if this could have been averted had
there been more prayer. I'm not sure. I believe there
was a remnant of Christians fervently praying over these
elections-I don't think there was anything more they
could have done. Others, obviously, should have done more.
The complacency and lack of discernment concerning our real
condition in America-especially by the Church-is both
appalling and horrifying. America is in serious trouble and
it seems no one wants to say it. Fewer still are willing to
do anything to change it.
Though I understand our reasons, we must be careful in our
attempts to placate our feelings and calm our fears through
religious phrases like "God is still on the
throne" or "God has a plan". He was on His
throne 35 years and 50 million babies ago. And He had a plan
back then. The problem is, it was us. I understand our
reasons for waving high the banner of God's sovereignty
at times like these-it gives us hope. I will wave it, as
well.
But please be careful with this. Too much emphasis on
God's sovereignty and we're worthless; too little
and we're hopeless. Maybe we should say, "we lost a
critical battle but God will give us strategy to win the
war." Then find the strategy.
But still yet, since God is usually willing to work through
a remnant, I thought we had enough prayer. Obviously, God
decided otherwise. There comes a time when He will not
forgive or bless the majority based on the prayers or
actions of only a few. America rejected God and asked for a
king; I believe we now have our Saul (see 1 Samuel 8:5-7)-a
man who does not have God's heart for America but his
own. Like Israel in scripture, our nation believes it can
turn from God and still be blessed. In His mercy and justice
He will show us otherwise.
Like many, believing I had many promises and confirmations
that God would "grace" us with a pro-life
president in this election, I failed to consider strongly
enough that all promises-even scripture-are conditional
99.9% of the time. Though I never prophesied or made
guarantees that McCain-Palin would win, failing to factor
this principle in strongly enough no doubt caused me to
share my optimism with others inappropriately. If this
caused any harm or confusion, I apologize.
Has the fact that my prayers weren't answered shaken my
faith? No. I'm a little confused and discouraged.
I'm also somewhat angry at the nation in general and
much of the Church. Mostly I'm grieving over the nation
and what this will cost us. I am not, however, angry with
God and do not question His justice. And it is not true that
we wasted our time, energy and money in our efforts anymore
than it is a waste when we share the gospel with people who
don't get saved. We must keep in the forefront of our
thinking the fact that ultimately we are doing this for Him
and that He will reward us for our faithfulness. And who
knows, perhaps He will store up all those prayers for the
next battle (Revelation 5:8, 8:3-5).
A friend and fellow warrior said it well,
"We did 'give it our all.' I know the Lord was
pleased with that. A coach wants to know one thing at the
end of a heartbreaking sports loss: 'Did you leave it
all on the field?' (your passion, your commitment, your
strength, your courage, etc.) I know that we 'left it
all on the field.' We didn't hold anything back
until the game ended. Tragically, it ended in defeat.
We will rise for another day because Jesus is worthy.
Where Do We Go from Here?
Does this election outcome shake my faith that we can see a
great awakening and ultimately reformation in America?
Absolutely not (and it strengthens my resolve). We will
simply get there through greater pain and loss. Even my
passion to see the Supreme Court shift is not from a
presupposition that there can be no spiritual awakening
without it. It is simply due to my deep conviction that their decisions bring so much death, destruction, curses and
judgment to America; and because our full destiny as a
nation is unquestionably linked to their decisions. So, yes,
we will get an awakening and reformation; but the reality is
that this reformation of the nation will reform the Supreme
Court (and government, in general), not vice-versa. My faith
has never been in people or a political party; my faith is
in the God who works through them.
I've been asked if my feelings about Sarah Palin have
changed. They have not. I believe she is an Esther, a
Deborah, with a huge mantle from God for reformation. God
has a great destiny for her related to this nation if she
chooses to continue down this path.
So, in conclusion, we must re-group as an apostolic,
praying church and advance. We must maintain an immovable
faith in God, His plans for America and His mercy. And we
must move beyond simply asking God for a spiritual awakening
and ask Him for strategy to produce reformation, as well.
I, for one, am just getting started!
For God and this great nation,
Dutch Sheets
A Note from Dutch Sheets on the election
November 6, 2008
I feel certain that many in my stream of the Church want a
statement from me concerning Tuesday's presidential
election. I will be frank in my remarks but I do not,
however, intend to vent anger or attack anyone. I have read
several statements from friends and colleagues I respect
very much.
Their thoughts are well stated and, for the most part,
insightful. None of them, however, seem to want to say some
things that I believe need to be said. I do not claim
infallibility or to have the final word, but my convictions
run deep and I believe I bear a God-given responsibility to
share them.
Was what happened Tuesday God's will? I am quite
confident it was not. America was offered a very clear
choice between moving further toward protecting the unborn
or further away; between a Supreme Court that would move
toward honoring God, life and morality or away from it. The
stakes couldn't have been higher nor the cost greater.
As a nation we put on blinders concerning Barak Obama's
background, associations, beliefs and practices, and set
these causes back years, possibly decades.
And in doing so we took another step away from God and His
plans for America, and another step toward judgment.
Judgment Will Increase
This is not a fire and brimstone warning from an angry,
legalistic preacher. In fact, I feel more sadness and grief
than anything else.
Perhaps I feel what Jesus felt as He wept for Jerusalem
while announcing its judgment. I am not hoping for judgment;
I am saying it is inevitable. I don't know where the
unbiblical belief comes from that says a nation can live any
way it pleases, can reject God and His ways-even mock
Him-and not receive His judgments. Nor do I know when the
belief came that it is always mean-spirited or judgmental to
warn of these things. To the contrary, I believe it is our
responsibility.
In warning of judgment, I am not suggesting that God is
going to intentially and directly hurt people. Much judgment
is simply the absence of God's protection and provision,
caused by a rejection of His laws and ways. We have been
experiencing some forms of judgment in America for years,
but God in His incredible patience and mercy has kept us
from the level we've deserved.
I believe this will change to a degree and judgment will
now
increase:
For those in the Church who aligned themselves with
pro-abortion forces, I believe judgment will result.
For leaders in the Body of Christ who refused to take a
stand for fear of losing people, money, and tax-exempt
status-I believe there will be a degree of judgment.
For those, both within the Church and without, who voted
money over morality-a potential raise or better health
insurance over the life of a baby-there will be judgment.
(The irony is that this decision to base one's vote on
the hopes of a better economy won't produce the hoped
for result anyway. The scriptures teach that it is
righteousness which exalts a nation and that the nation is
blessed whose God is the Lord.)
I have heard the argument that God cares as much about
social justice issues (such as poverty and racism) as He
does abortion, making a vote for Obama OK. I certainly
believe God puts a very high priority on caring for the poor
and I, too, have wanted to see equality demonstrated through
a "minority" president. But to equate having a
better income or the desire for a first black president,
regardless of his positions on abortion and morality, to the
issue of killing 50 million babies is not justice-it is a
gross distortion of justice and great deception. I fear that
we have been desensitized to this issue of abortion. I
believe it kills babies and takes innocent life. I also
believe it is blood sacrifice that empowers demons.
Let's not forget this in our noble attempts to be kind
and conciliatory.
For African Americans I can easily see how it could bring
healing to have a first black president, just as it would be
for Native Americans to achieve this or for women if a woman
were elected president. Again, I have wanted to see justice
in this way. I am only saddened that the price for this
healing ended up being Barak Obama, a man that will set the
cause of life and, most-likely, our God-given destiny as a
nation back so drastically. (I also realize there are some
who interpret any criticism of Obama as racism. Racism is so
NOT what I am about nor what I live, that I will not even
dignify any such accusations with a response.
What Can We Expect?
What are some of the judgments we can expect on our nation
from this election?
More economic woes
More violence in an already violent nation
Disease and death (satan, who is responsible for these
things will have greater inroads to our nation.)
Natural disasters (weather-tornadoes, hurricanes, floods,
drought; fires; earthquakes; etc.)
Terrorism (they will fear us much less now)
War, perhaps on our own soil
Judgments relating to the Court. The stacking of the
Supreme Court against the sanctity of life and God's
influence on America will occur, which will in turn cause
the shedding of more innocent blood, more rejection of
God's laws and the stealing from us of our godly
heritage-all of which will perpetuate a cycle of even more
judgment.
How Did This Happen?
I've been asked if this could have been averted had
there been more prayer. I'm not sure. I believe there
was a remnant of Christians fervently praying over these
elections-I don't think there was anything more they
could have done. Others, obviously, should have done more.
The complacency and lack of discernment concerning our real
condition in America-especially by the Church-is both
appalling and horrifying. America is in serious trouble and
it seems no one wants to say it. Fewer still are willing to
do anything to change it.
Though I understand our reasons, we must be careful in our
attempts to placate our feelings and calm our fears through
religious phrases like "God is still on the
throne" or "God has a plan". He was on His
throne 35 years and 50 million babies ago. And He had a plan
back then. The problem is, it was us. I understand our
reasons for waving high the banner of God's sovereignty
at times like these-it gives us hope. I will wave it, as
well.
But please be careful with this. Too much emphasis on
God's sovereignty and we're worthless; too little
and we're hopeless. Maybe we should say, "we lost a
critical battle but God will give us strategy to win the
war." Then find the strategy.
But still yet, since God is usually willing to work through
a remnant, I thought we had enough prayer. Obviously, God
decided otherwise. There comes a time when He will not
forgive or bless the majority based on the prayers or
actions of only a few. America rejected God and asked for a
king; I believe we now have our Saul (see 1 Samuel 8:5-7)-a
man who does not have God's heart for America but his
own. Like Israel in scripture, our nation believes it can
turn from God and still be blessed. In His mercy and justice
He will show us otherwise.
Like many, believing I had many promises and confirmations
that God would "grace" us with a pro-life
president in this election, I failed to consider strongly
enough that all promises-even scripture-are conditional
99.9% of the time. Though I never prophesied or made
guarantees that McCain-Palin would win, failing to factor
this principle in strongly enough no doubt caused me to
share my optimism with others inappropriately. If this
caused any harm or confusion, I apologize.
Has the fact that my prayers weren't answered shaken my
faith? No. I'm a little confused and discouraged.
I'm also somewhat angry at the nation in general and
much of the Church. Mostly I'm grieving over the nation
and what this will cost us. I am not, however, angry with
God and do not question His justice. And it is not true that
we wasted our time, energy and money in our efforts anymore
than it is a waste when we share the gospel with people who
don't get saved. We must keep in the forefront of our
thinking the fact that ultimately we are doing this for Him
and that He will reward us for our faithfulness. And who
knows, perhaps He will store up all those prayers for the
next battle (Revelation 5:8, 8:3-5).
A friend and fellow warrior said it well,
"We did 'give it our all.' I know the Lord was
pleased with that. A coach wants to know one thing at the
end of a heartbreaking sports loss: 'Did you leave it
all on the field?' (your passion, your commitment, your
strength, your courage, etc.) I know that we 'left it
all on the field.' We didn't hold anything back
until the game ended. Tragically, it ended in defeat.
We will rise for another day because Jesus is worthy.
Where Do We Go from Here?
Does this election outcome shake my faith that we can see a
great awakening and ultimately reformation in America?
Absolutely not (and it strengthens my resolve). We will
simply get there through greater pain and loss. Even my
passion to see the Supreme Court shift is not from a
presupposition that there can be no spiritual awakening
without it. It is simply due to my deep conviction that their decisions bring so much death, destruction, curses and
judgment to America; and because our full destiny as a
nation is unquestionably linked to their decisions. So, yes,
we will get an awakening and reformation; but the reality is
that this reformation of the nation will reform the Supreme
Court (and government, in general), not vice-versa. My faith
has never been in people or a political party; my faith is
in the God who works through them.
I've been asked if my feelings about Sarah Palin have
changed. They have not. I believe she is an Esther, a
Deborah, with a huge mantle from God for reformation. God
has a great destiny for her related to this nation if she
chooses to continue down this path.
So, in conclusion, we must re-group as an apostolic,
praying church and advance. We must maintain an immovable
faith in God, His plans for America and His mercy. And we
must move beyond simply asking God for a spiritual awakening
and ask Him for strategy to produce reformation, as well.
I, for one, am just getting started!
For God and this great nation,
Dutch Sheets
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
