Reflecting on the 2012 Election


Last weekend at a prayer meeting in Massachusetts, I was waiting on the Lord when I had a disturbing vision of Barack Obama’s face. I noticed the president had evil-looking eyes and then the vision zoomed in on his forehead. Minutes later I exhorted the congregation to pray daily for our government leaders to have the mind of Christ, so they make godly decisions (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Those who continue to enact policies contrary to Scripture need to be voted out!

The morning after Election Day, a Facebook friend shared with me a Bob Jones prophecy from earlier this year declaring Mitt Romney would become the next U. S. president. Although I was disturbed that it appears Bob’s prophecy won’t be coming to pass, one thought went through my mind. Romney may have been the candidate God wanted to win this election but all His people didn’t do their part in voting. According to the latest statistics I’ve seen, fewer people voted in the 2012 election than they did in 2008. Faith and Freedom Coalition founder Ralph Reed estimated 17 million Evangelical Christians didn't vote in the 2008 election. (Barack Obama defeated John McCain by about half that amount of votes.)

I’ve had other Facebook friends proudly announce they didn’t vote this year. One of them even suggested if we had voted either for Mitt Romney or Barack Obama, we needed to repent. Shortly after I posted a response pointing out how voter apathy is one reason bad politicians win elections, my friend removed my comment from his wall. I have no regrets that I voted for Mitt Romney. Granted I wasn’t totally fond of the possibility of a Mormon president. But for this year's election, I felt he was a better choice to lead this nation. 

Before some of you pick up stones and accuse Bob Jones of being a false prophet, there is one part of his prophecy that deserves special attention: “These next eight years will be full of joy if the Church steps into authority and God's righteous people are elected.” Notice the word “if” was inserted. Many prophetic words are conditional. We need to do our part (in this case by praying and voting) to see them come to pass.

While I will continue praying for Barack Obama, I still don’t like the thought of four more years of a Commander-in-Chief who is forcing a national health care plan down our throats plus endorses perverted lifestyles, killing unborn babies, and dividing up Israel’s land. But despite the consequences of bad decisions made by our political leaders, God will continue providing for those who put their trust in Him. Even when the ten plagues were brought upon Egypt as the result of Pharaoh’s stubbornness, the Israelites were supernaturally protected.

May God continue to have mercy upon the United States of America.

“Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” - Proverbs 14:34 (NLT)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Toking the Ghost Revisited

Image
Back in February 2007, a fellow missionary I was traveling with started talking about “smoking the weed from heaven.”   He would pretend to have a joint of marijuana between his fingers and have “smoke breaks with Jesus.”   He also encouraged other believers to take “hits.”   I was a bit uncomfortable with this idea but didn't contest it. Then in October of that year, I heard John Crowder preach on “toking the Ghost” at a church in my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota.   I was inspired to make a video with John to share with my missionary friend.   During the filming, I experienced much laughter. I decided to make the video public figuring other people might enjoy it also. Two weeks later at a church in Minnesota, I heard Benjamin Dunn share testimonies of people getting healed from “toking the Ghost.”   This was just before he and John Crowder started ministering together.   I believed this was God confirming His word in the mouth of two or three witnesses.  
Read more

The Gospel Soul Winning Script

Image
During my early days with evangelism, I developed an approach called the Survey Technique . By asking short direct questions, you can maintain control of the conversation and find out quickly what a person’s spiritual beliefs are. Although the Survey Technique has helped me lead thousands to the Lord, I’m still open to utilizing new methods in reaching people with the gospel. Rodney Howard-Browne 's ministry uses a tool called the Gospel Soul-Winning Script , which originated during their Good News New York campaign in 1999. I became familiar with it a few years later during evangelism outreaches with Rodney’s church in Tampa, Florida. At first, I resisted using the script. I found it restrictive and thought sinners wouldn’t be receptive to me reading the whole thing to them. Then while taking part in a 2009 outreach with Rodney’s ministry in Washington, D.C., my team leader asked me to “stick with the script.” Wanting to maintain unity, I complied with his request. Initially it fe
Read more

A Tribute to Al Best

Image
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. This tribute is for one who went home to be with the Lord last Sunday. Al Best oversaw Light in Anoka Church in a northern suburb of Minneapolis. Originally from Florida, Al first gave his life to the Lord at 17 but then backslid. Meanwhile, he served 21 years in the Navy and worked various jobs. That included selling Rainbow vacuum cleaners. I would eventually get to know his sales manager. Eric Gonyon became an associate pastor at Rodney Howard-Browne ’s church (I usually attend services there when in Tampa).  A few years after recommitting his life to the Lord, Al became a pastor. In 2007, the Lord directed him to head north to Minnesota, where his wife Jean is from. First, they ministered in the small town of Dassel. What started as a youth mission transitioned into regular services for all ages. Then in 2016, Al and Jean moved to Anoka to take on a church originally called New Day Fellowship. To counter the city’s motto as the “Halloween Ca
Read more