Saturday Morning Blog with Pastor Williams (November)
Posted on November 1st, 2006 by TADCCBLOG
Pastor Williams will be active on the blog site this Saturday morning from 10 to 11am immediately following the WRJD 1410AM broadcast of “Christian Perspective Today”. Please suggest topics or questions for discussion.
Filed under: Discussion Topics, Live Blog on Saturday
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Below are parts of the platforms I believe speaks to the morals of the major political parties in the State of North Carolina.
I first must qualify what God teaches us from His word concerning leaders.
Daniel 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
In other words, our voting does not really make a difference. It is God who appoints the leaders.
Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
In an indirect way, what is in our heart, lifestyle and relationship with God determines who God will give us as a leader. The word Pastor in the Old Testament means leaders, such as kings, princes, etc., which today are our political leaders. Therefore God will give us leaders according to where He sees us as repentant of sin and turning to Him through His Son Christ Jesus our Lord as it says in Jeremiah 3:14.
NORTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM
HUMAN RIGHTS
We reaffirm our commitment to the full and equal protection of the lives, liberties, rights, and properties of all citizens and residents of North Carolina. All human beings deserve the opportunity to realize their own potential. We support the provisions of the Geneva Convention, and believe any American departure from it undermines our moral standing in the world, thereby threatening our soldiers and citizens abroad.
CIVIL LIBERTIES: We support the fundamental rights to freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of association and assembly and the right not to be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. We oppose efforts to limit or eliminate these fundamental constitutional rights. We believe that all persons should have access to our courts.
DISCRIMINATION: We oppose discrimination of any kind – whether in employment, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, veteran status, religious affiliation, spiritual beliefs, health care, education, retirement programs, housing, or any other area. We encourage vigorous enforcement of existing civil rights laws and a periodic re-examination of their adequacy.
NON-DISCRIMINATORY EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES: We support access to employment without discrimination of any kind. We support vigorous enforcement of existing anti-discrimination laws to ensure that all persons have access to good jobs at fair wages and benefits.
NORTH CAROLINA REPUBLICAN PLATFORM
1. We believe our nation’s strength lies with the family. The family is where each new generation gains its moral anchor. It is the first school of good citizenship, the engine of economic progress, and a haven of security and understanding in an ever-changing world.
2. Republicans believe that a two-parent family, where a husband and wife live in harmony in one home, provides the ideal environment for raising children and is the best model for family life.
3. We praise the courageous efforts of single parents who work hard to provide stable homes. We recognize that single parents often succeed and that two-parent families sometimes fail.
4. We believe homosexuality is not normal and should not be established as an acceptable “alternative” lifestyle either in public education or in public policy. We do not believe public schools should be used to teach children that homosexuality is normal, and we do not believe that taxpayers should fund benefit plans for unmarried partners. We oppose special treatment by law based on nothing other than homosexual behavior or identity. We oppose actions, such as “marriage” or the adoption of children by same-sex couples, which attempt to legitimize and normalize homosexual relationships. We support the Defense of Marriage Act and will support a constitutional amendment to ensure that marriage is limited to the union of one man and one woman. We commend private organizations, such as the Boy Scouts, which defend moral decency and freedom according to their own well-established traditions and beliefs.
5. Many children do not live in loving families, free of abuse and neglect. This must change. Government cannot legislate family love and compassion and should not preempt parental responsibility for children; however, government can protect children from abuse and neglect. We support laws that balance parental rights with the protection of a child’s life, safety and well being. We support efforts to hasten the adoption of foster children into permanent, safe and nurturing homes. We urge strong support for religious and private initiatives that seek to promote healthy, nurturing families and work to restore and rebuild dysfunctional families.
Article IV: Sanctity of Life
1. The North Carolina Republican Party believes strongly in the sanctity of all human life.
2. We believe unborn children have constitutional rights to life and liberty, and we therefore urge the Supreme Court to overturn its decision in Roe vs. Wade. We also support the adoption of a constitutional amendment establishing that human life begins at conception. We stand with the overwhelming majority of Americans who oppose efforts to mandate legalized abortion or to fund local, national, or international organizations that provide or promote abortion services. Abortion is never an acceptable method of birth control.
3. We oppose the heinous procedure known as partial-birth abortion. We applaud President Bush and the majority of the Congress who passed into law the federal Partial Birth Abortion Ban. We urge the North Carolina General Assembly to pass state legislation prohibiting this procedure. Furthermore, we urge members of the Republican Party of North Carolina to support financially, or with in-kind contributions, only those candidates or nominees who support measures to end partial-birth abortions.
4. We support and strongly encourage positive alternatives to abortion, such as adoption. We believe that biases against intact, caring families should be eliminated from adoption laws and tax codes. Adoption should be encouraged through significant tax credits, insurance reforms and legal reforms.
5. We oppose the erosion of parental rights and responsibilities by agents of the state when it comes to pregnant unmarried minors. Informed consent and parental consent should be prerequisite to any minor receiving family-planning services.
6. We support all developments in biomedical research and technology that enhance and protect human life. But we oppose any new development that does not treat all human life as a precious gift of God, or that does not treat every individual human life as a locus of unique and irreplaceable dignity no matter how weak, immature, or dependent.
7. We oppose all procedures in research and medicine that involve the intentional destruction of innocent human life except to save a mother’s life. We also oppose the cloning of whole human beings, the use of human embryos in research for purposes other than advancing their own health and safety, as well as all forms of active euthanasia.
8. We urge the recruitment and support of candidates who will work hard to protect all innocent human life
Article VII: Education
8. All schools should encourage patriotism and knowledge of the traditional values of Western civilization upon which our republic is based. We oppose using public dollars, to fund liberal attempts at social engineering contrary to the foundations on which our nation rests. We support daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in our schools, and we believe every classroom should display an American flag and a copy of our national motto — “In God We Trust.”
9. Republicans oppose mandatory sex education in public schools and believe sex education should not be included in any public school program without obtaining prior approval from parents or guardians. Where sex education is included, we support teaching abstinence until marriage as required by state law, and as the expected norm for acceptable sexual behavior. National studies have shown that the majority of Americans agree with this approach. The practice of abstinence until marriage is the most effective way to prevent teenage pregnancies, absentee fathers, abortion, and sexually transmitted diseases. It is also the most effective way to create healthy relationships and healthy self-esteem among young people.
10. We oppose the provision of school-based social services, including school-based clinics and mental health programs, which attempt to bypass parental authority and responsibility.
11. Just as discourse on public policy relies on moral principles based on spiritual convictions, so also learning must rely on moral principles supported by our deepest convictions. We believe America must be neutral toward religion itself. But mindful of our country’s Judeo-Christian heritage and rich religious pluralism, we also support the right of students to engage in voluntary prayer in school and the right of others to pray as well at public occasions such as commencement exercises. We also strongly support equal access to school facilities.
Pastor Williams,
Very interesting information about the Democratic and Republican Platforms. Many minorities automatically vote Democratic because of this Party’s support of The Civil Rights Act and The Voter’s Rights Act of the 60′s. And the Democratic Party, for the most part, has taken the minority vote for granted. My parents and I were discussing the upcoming elections and whom we were voting for. I shared some important facts about the candidates running for the US Congressional Seat, however; I did not mention what political party they belonged to. My parents agreed to vote for Mr Robinson,stating that he was the better candidate. Well, on the day of elections, my mother called to tell me that she nor my father were voting for Mr Robinson because they had discovered he was a Republican. I tried to remind them of his platform promises, but they were no longer interested. All they needed to know was that he was a Republican and they were not voting for a Republican. Mind you, my parents are in their mid-70′s and very much set in their ways. Unfortunately, their mindset is the mindset of most minorities. The remainder of my comments is in reference to the United States as a whole. This nation, founded on the Judeo-Christian principles, is critically ill and in need of a blood transfusion. Moral decay, deprived indifference of life(man and beast), disregard and disrespect for the true Word of God is everywhere. This nation is in dire need of a blood transfusion from Jesus Christ! 1John 1:7) But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. There is only one way to Father God, and that way is Christ. Many profess to be Christians, yet their lifestyles and associations do not reflect the Ways of our Lord. We, as a nation, need to repent and turn from our sinful ways. We are all in need of a savior, the only true Savior, Jesus Christ our Redeemer and Lord. 2Chronicles 7:14) If My people who are called by My name, will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and heal their land. The Republican nor Democratic Party, or any of the other world powers, will never succeed in their proposal of solutions to bring about national and international peace until God is seated at the head of the UN Peace Conference table. World Peace is in the Hands of Almighty God, He and He Alone. Yet mortal man continues in his vain attempts to do what only God can do.
KB,
Very well said. Isaiah 9:6 says the government will be upon His (Jesus) shoulder. This means that no matter which government rules, God is in control. Daniel 4:17 states that God rules in the Kingdom of men and places in office even the worst of men.
Some have lost faith to believe that God is in control of our governments. Especially the African American community. There was a time we did not have the right to vote. We were discriminated against by gerry-mandering, grandfather clause and intimidation.
How is it now we believe in the ballot box when it was the ballot box that deserted us. Look at the civil rights movement. Ministers of the Gospel of Christ and churches spearheaded the changes that took place in this country. It was not the vote. We must once again become active for Christ and stop relying on the government to sanction what God has already told us to sanction in our hearts.
I believe it is truly a tragedy when we forget how far God has brought us through His Son Christ Jesus our Lord. Let us turn to our true Leader who is our King. Christ Jesus our Lord.
Pastor Williams,
While searching the Internet for information on the recent death of a celebrity, I happened upon this website. I read portions of it, then thought about passing along the website address to you for your comments. Here’s the address: http://www.donimon.org/light.index.html .
KB,
I did not get a chance to read everything. I agree with most of what is written.
Pastor Williams,
Your comments please on a sermon I heard on Christian television several days ago. The pastor spoke of four raptures during the Great Tribulation: 1)The Church, 2)The 144,000 Israelites, 3)Those who accept Christ after the rapture of the Church during the Tribulation, 4)The two witnesses spoken of in Revelation 11. This is the first I’ve heard of four raptures.
Happy Thanksgiving: The following is the creation of Thanksgiving as a Holiday by President Lincoln.
Washington, D.C.
October 3, 1863
By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.
I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.
By the President: Abraham Lincoln
KB
There is the need to make Revelations fit the modern scheme of the Rapture. The teaching is that the church will not go through the tribulation, but the Jews will.
The word rapture in the English form is not used in the Bible. The word rapture is translated from the Greek words used for “caught up”.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Therefore anytime someone is “caught up” in the Bible it can refer to the rapture. The following verses are the traditional verses we use to refer to the rapure.
2 Corinthians 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
2 Corinthians 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. {lawful: or, possible}
Revelation 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
The rapture is a true event as shown by the above verses. Now to get into your question. The Church is composed of all believers. There is not a church for believers and then another form of salvation for the Israelites. Galatians 3:28 says that we are all one in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The 144,000 Israelites were those that got up out of the grave after the resurrection of Christ Jesus, if you were to follow the text literally.
Matthew 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Also if you were to arrange the name of the 12 tribes translated by their meaning in the order given in Revelations it speaks of God’s salvation. Therefore based on the above verse saints were resurrected but not raptured. To be raptured you must be alive.
Those who accept Christ after the resurrection was an interpretation put in during the 19th century. Dakes and Scofield popularized the idea of the church not going through the tribulation in the 19th century. Before the 19th century there is very little reference to the church not going through the tribulation. However, if you read the scriptures it speaks of the Body of Christ going through the tribulation. Revalation 7:14 and Daniel 12:1-3.
The two witnesses that die in Revelation cannot be raptured, because the rapture is only for those who are alive. They are resurrected which is not the same as the rapture. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:17 above.
Pastor Williams,
So many Christians are being deluded into thinking that we will miss the Great Tribulation. I myself use to be one of them. I guess that it’s more palliatible to believe that because of God’s mercy, we will be exempt from the chaos and carnage during this great and awful time by being “raptured” away. My Pastor uses the “Lord’s Passover”in Exodus 12 as the explanation of how God will save and protect His children during the Tribulation. Just as the Lord honored and recognized the blood of a lamb without blemish spreaded over the lintel and doorposts,sparing the lives of His people, yet bringing about death to the firstborn of Egypt; so it shall be on that terrible Day. All those who have recieved Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior will be spared from the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord. When God sees our covering; the precious shed blood of The Lamb of God, Christ Jesus, He will not spare us from going through the Tribulation, but He will encamp His hedge of protection all around us and save His children out of it. The popular “Left Behind” movies and books have erroneously contributed to the belief that Christians will be raptured away before the onset of this time.
Very well put. We that are believers in Christ Jesus must continue to stengthen other believers, that whether we personally or collectively suffer persecution or not, our faith must not fail.
It is through the strengthening process, after we acknowledge our weakness that we truly develop a closer relationship with the Heavenly Father through Christ Jesus our Lord.