The Cocksure Candidate

Next year in November, the United States will elect a new president. One candidate pursuing the Republican nomination is real estate mogul Donald Trump. It’s bad enough political ads just before an election emphasizes the negatives of a candidate’s opponent. Trump is already making brash remarks against those who disagree with him. 

During a July 11 rally at the Phoenix Convention Center, Donald Trump’s comments about illegal immigration drew criticism from Arizona senator John McCain. Trump then insulted McCain by saying the former POW wasn’t a war hero but then said, "He's a war hero because he was captured." Later during a speech in South Carolina, Trump publicly gave out Senator Lindsey Graham's phone number as retaliation for Graham calling him a “jackass.”

Romans 12:14 says, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” A professing Christian must follow Jesus’ example. He told us in Matthew 5:44, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” The only people Jesus regularly criticized were the Pharisees, the religious leaders of His day. 

There is one incident in Luke 13:32 when Jesus called Herod a “fox” after being told the King wanted to kill Him. Otherwise, Jesus went out of His way to honor authority figures. A recent revelation I received was how Jesus didn’t resist Pilate’s order to have Him crucified. It was part of the plan of redemption.

One thing I do appreciate about Donald Trump is his speaking out against the persecution of Christians. In a recent speech in Las Vegas, Trump pointed out how the Obama administration has deliberately blocked Syrian Christians from coming into America while allowing Muslims to do so. Previously he told CBN News, “Believe me, if I run and I win, I will be the greatest representative of the Christians they’ve had in a long time.”

Donald Trump identifies himself as Presbyterian. When asked several times by an interviewer if he’s ever asked God for forgiveness, Trump avoided giving a direct answer. That made me think of what Jesus said in Matthew 10:32-33, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.”

Nevertheless, I will likely vote for Donald Trump if he wins the Republican nomination. Certainly, I won’t vote for a Democrat who endorses abortion and homosexuality. Still, I prefer a president who has a genuine relationship with the Lord and will conduct himself in a Christlike manner when representing our nation.

“A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.” - Proverbs 12:16 (NLT)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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

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 ...
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 “Hallowee...
Read more