It’s Not Over (Reflections on the 2020 Election)

A few weeks ago, my hometown newspaper conducted a poll asking, “Do you think any political ads have swayed your opinion on who to vote for?” 97% of the respondents answered “no.” I think politicians waste a lot of money on ads attacking their opponents. My focus is not on a personality but on the candidate’s party affiliation and that party’s platform.

This year, coronavirus fears prompted states to encourage mail-in voting. That should have been available only to those who requested a ballot. I’m registered to vote in Virginia but spent most of 2020 doing the Lord’s work in the Minneapolis area. Although I put in a request for an absentee ballot the day they became available, a month passed without it showing up in the mail. I called election officials. They instructed me to go online and request another ballot, which arrived two weeks before Election Day. I quickly filled that out and mailed it back to Virginia.

Meanwhile, I minimized my exposure to mainstream media outlets (even Fox News, which used to be in their own words, “fair and balanced”). Most of them reported Joe Biden leading in the polls. I dismissed this as fake news since Donald Trump’s rallies drew much bigger crowds. The Friday before Election Day, the president held one in Rochester, Minnesota. A friend and I planned on going until the governor and attorney general (both Democrats) imposed a limit of 250 people. There were estimates of 25,000 expected to attend the rally. Therefore, my friend and I didn’t make the trip to Rochester.

Wanting a Christian viewpoint of Tuesday night’s election coverage, I mostly watched Jonathan Shuttlesworth and Kenneth Copeland Ministries tracking the results via their respective YouTube channels. We saw some disturbing things. Some states already called Joe Biden the winner before most of their votes were counted. One of them was Virginia, which had Donald Trump leading by over 180,000 votes at one point! When it looked like Trump would still win the election, key swing states temporarily stopped counting their votes.

The next morning, I got a sick feeling in my gut when seeing reports of Joe Biden taking sudden leads in Wisconsin and Michigan. So I encouraged myself by listening to prophets who heard from the Lord regarding the outcome of this election. My friend Charlie Shamp stated back on December 31st, “Trump will triumph in 2020, but we need to pray.” He later declared on September 26th, “The greatest battle for the heart of America will not be fought at the ballot box during the election, but will happen in the Supreme Court.” Sadhu Sundar Selvaraj said last month that Trump is not finished and will have “another four years of grace.” The late Kim Clement prophesied in 2007 that Trump would have two terms as president. So did retired firefighter Mark Taylor in 2011. 

Jeremiah Johnson stated Wednesday that Joe Biden may prematurely announce he is the next president of the United States. He pointed out…

“Either a lying spirit has filled the mouths of numerous trusted prophetic voices in America or Donald J. Trump really has won the Presidency and we are witnessing a diabolical and evil plan unfold to steal the election. I believe with all my heart that the latter is true.” 

That same day, James Goll declared…

“It’s not over. God is not in heaven wringing His hands with sweaty palms. It’s not over till it’s over and it’s not over yet. I keep having the phrase come to me this morning, ‘And on the THIRD DAY.  And watch what happens on the THIRD DAY.’ Keep on ‘watching and praying', remember, the scales are tipping towards MERCY!”

We need to have faith and patience in God having His way. Mario Murillo said in an interview with Sid Roth, “We dodged a bullet…The liberal media planned to uproot the American system and put another system in place. That monster would have still been there if it was kept underground through a Trump victory. This forcing it into the court is causing an investigation to uncover corruption that we never imagined.” 

I’m continuing to pray that all voter fraud will be exposed and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. 

“…the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped.” - Psalm 63:11

A Ride on the Trump Train

Recently I got to see the President of the United States in person for the first time. My friend John and I attended the Evangelicals for Trump rally at King Jesus church in Miami, Florida. A few days before I kept perceiving the Lord wanted me to go to Miami but didn’t know why. Then shortly after Christmas, John called me from his home in the Washington, DC area. He asked about staying with me at the missionary house I’ve been living in Tampa. I had goosebumps when John mentioned going to Miami after that. Soon I learned Donald Trump was having a rally there on January 3rd.

Originally I thought of riding with John without going to the rally. I had it on my heart to evangelize on the streets of Miami. John attended previous Trump rallies where people stood in line for hours with no guarantee they would get inside. But on our way through Southern Florida, I felt more of a stirring to be at the rally. During pit stops at McDonald’s I got to lead three people to the Lord (and later had a fourth at 7/11 on the way home).

We arrived at the church around 10:45 a.m. To our surprise, the line wasn’t as long as John and I expected. Worship music playing on an outside sound system helped maintain a godly atmosphere and probably kept extra protesters away. There was one man I encountered holding signs listing the Ten Commandments and his claim that Trump is not a Christian. I felt led to tell him, “He who is without sin cast the first stone.”

John and I fellowshipped with people in line around us. One of them named Jose was a member of the church. He told us they would start letting people in at 2:00 p.m. The line began moving earlier than that. Of course, getting inside took awhile since Secret Service agents had us empty our pockets and walk through metal detectors. John and I eventually got seats in the twelfth row. I thought this was symbolic since the number 12 in Scripture refers to government (like the twelve tribes of Israel).

Around 3:30 a worship band played three songs. The first of which was appropriately titled “Freedom.” Then the same recorded music heard outside played again for several minutes. Meanwhile, many well-known Christian leaders and musicians showed up and took seats in front of us. Among those we recognized were Robert Jeffress, John Hagee, Rod Parsley, Rodney Howard-Browne, Michael Tait, Jonathan Cain and Stephen Strang from Charisma magazine.

Sometime after 4:00, Pastor Guillermo Maldonado opened the ceremony with an anointed prayer. Tony Perkins from the Family Research Council followed with a few remarks. Then Paula White-Cain emerged to introduce the president. The announced start time was 5:00 but Donald Trump appeared 15 minutes early. Paula invited seven other people onstage to join her in surrounding Trump as they prayed for him. Jentezen Franklin led the prayer followed by Maldonado.

During a speech that lasted over an hour, the President addressed various political issues but talked at length about his support for Israel and maintaining religious freedom. Before closing, Trump invited two pairs of women to speak from the podium. The first two were students at Fresno State University where they encountered persecution for promoting pro-life ideas. Among the other two was an African-American woman that nearly stole the show. Angel talked about the president assisting her in helping those devastated by a hurricane that struck the Florida panhandle. This woman also chastised the media’s skewed reporting of the president while they were filming several feet away.

Aside from perhaps Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” (which has become an anthem for patriotic Americans), the only secular song heard throughout this event was The Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” This continues to be Trump’s play-out tune. Robert Jeffress ended the rally with a closing prayer.

Despite the recent impeachment by the House of Representatives (which likely won’t get past the Republican-controlled Senate), it was encouraging to see Christians of different races and denominations unified to support a president who cares for the welfare of this country. Critics may think Trump’s supporters have blind allegiance to him. On the contrary. A few people wore T-shirts that simply stated our beliefs as American Christians: “Jesus is my Savior. Trump is my President.”

“Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” - 1 Peter 2:17

A Prayer for President Trump

Regardless if you like them or not, Scripture commands us to pray for our political leaders. Fellow evangelist Franklin Graham has requested that today be a special day of prayer for Donald Trump. Here’s a suggested prayer he shared that you can use to stand in the gap for the President of the United States… 

Heavenly Father,

We come today as the body of Christ in this nation, to lift up our President, Donald J. Trump. As many voices rise up against this one You have set into office, we lift up our voices, with one heart and mind, to stand in agreement with heaven’s purposes concerning our nation. (Ps 133) We stand by this President who has declared this nation to be under God’s rule and authority and seeks righteousness and justice for our nation. (Ps 89:14)

We welcome and embrace the fear of the Lord as the standard for all righteous rule and repent for the ways in which we have bowed to the fear of man. Cleanse our hearts and renew our minds that we may walk in the light of Your truth. (Ps 43:3) We ask that President Trump would delight in the fear of the Lord in order to walk in the power of Your might and the wisdom of Your ways. (Mi 3:8) May righteousness and faithfulness be his portion so that he may render righteous judgments according to Your Word. (Is 11:3-5)

We ask that President Trump would show no fear toward the evil that assails him (Is 8:12), but rather overcome it with a zeal and passion for Your laws which bring life and liberty to all. (Pr 10:29-32) May he love Your Word and seek your wisdom diligently (Pr 8:17), remaining open and teachable to godly counsel and heaven’s wisdom. (Pr 1:7) 

We thank You that his heart is in Your hands and that You will direct it according to Your will and purpose. Grant him increased grace and blessing as he heeds your voice and obeys Your word. (Pr 21:1)

We declare over President Trump that he will have true judgments by the Spirit and not according to man. (Is 11:3-4) We declare that he will possess heaven’s knowledge with shrewdness of mind in making right decisions for the good of the people. (Pr 8:12) Fill his mouth with good things (Pr 16:9-13) that he may speak what is true and right. (Pr 8:6) We pray that he will use his God-given authority to execute justice and establish righteousness in this land for the sake of Your glory and Kingdom. (Gen 49:10, Ps 60:7) We declare that he will rule in the midst of his enemies, not backing down or wavering due to threats or intimidation (Ps 110:1-2, Eph 6:13). May his ears become deaf to the assaults from his enemies and may those who seek his life answer to You for their wicked ways. May he know that it is Your hand and Your sovereign purpose that is keeping him and sustaining him in his divine commission. (Ps 38:12-15)

Keep President Trump, and those who serve him, safe from the enemy’s snares and free from the accuser’s traps. (Ps 141:9-10) By Your great hand, Lord, deal with those who oppose righteousness and justice so that all men will know it is You alone who is sovereign and true. (Ps 64:6-9) May the fire of Your presence burn up all Your enemies and consume all those who stand against You concerning our destiny and inheritance as one nation under God. (Ps 97:1-6)

Thank you, Father, for hearing our prayers and empowering us as Kingdom ambassadors on the earth. From the highest office in the land to the least known among men, may we all seek to know You more intimately, serve You more passionately, and praise You more fully so that all men will be saved. Through the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” - 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Hollywood and Islam

Mark Wahlberg recently suggested that “Hollywood bubble actors” stop talking about politics because “they’re pretty out of touch with the common person.” One actress who appears to be taking positive action on the latter is Sally Field. In an interview on Chelsea Handler’s Netflix show, the “real Momma Gump” announced she joined Twitter “in order to better understand how the American people could elect a man like Donald Trump.”

Ms. Field, I’d be happy to enlighten you on some things. First, this nation was founded as a Constitutional Republic…not a democracy as you and many Americans wrongly assume. I wish more celebrities who desire to use their fame for good have Judeo-Christian values like that of our Founding Fathers.

Moral reasons were given in a previous blog article as to why I vote Republican. Here I want to point out a key reason why Hillary Clinton would have been a bad president. The former Secretary of State talked of admitting 65,000 Syrian refugees (most if not all of them Muslim) into our country without examining their backgrounds. This would be a fivefold increase of the nearly 13,000 Syrian refugees already resettled across the nation this year. Although many Muslims are content to coexist with people who don’t share their religion, some take the Koran literally and wish to impose Sharia Law upon everybody else.

Ms. Field apparently forgot how living under the cloak of Islam can be a living hell. In her 1991 biopic “Not Without My Daughter”, Sally portrayed Betty Mahmoody, a Michigan woman who married an Iranian-born doctor that tricked her into moving to Iran. Dr. Mahmoody’s renewed commitment to Islam resulted in him controlling Betty’s life and regularly beating her before she and her daughter Mahtob were able to escape and return to the United States.

Ms. Field, would you invite rapists and murderers to stay in your home? If not, then why would you want our country to become like those in Europe that allowed larger numbers of Muslim immigrants? This has resulted in an increase in rapes and “honor killings.” The latter is already happening here in America. The Department of Justice reported there were 27 of them last year. 

Let me clarify I’m not labeling all Muslims rapists and murderers. I welcome those who want to legally immigrate to this country provided they adapt to our way of life and not try to force their customs upon the populace. Still, I advise all Americans to watch “Not Without My Daughter.” It shows how real Islam is not peaceful but a very intolerant religion.

I also read on Wikipedia that Sally Field is a strong supporter of LGBT rights because her youngest son is openly gay. As a Christian, I oppose homosexuality but don’t condone killing those who choose to live deviant lifestyles. Sadly that’s what happens in many Islamic nations.

Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees once told People magazine, “It’d be impossible to live here. Hollywood reminds me of a giant false religion.” I pray more celebrities and Muslims find truth not in religion but in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’” - John 8:32

Reflections on the 2016 Election

It’s finally over. After weeks of mudslinging during a very divisive election, Donald Trump will be the 45th U. S. President on January 20th. At 70 years old, Trump is the oldest person ever elected to a first term (surpassing 69-year-old Ronald Reagan in 1980). Many reporters have called Trump’s victory “an upset” despite huge crowds that showed up at his campaign rallies.

On Election Day I went evangelizing at a mall having already voted for Donald Trump using an absentee ballot. Then I watched the election returns on TV. Because the results were a bit close and a few networks stalled in declaring Trump the projected winner of selected states, I stayed up past 2:30 a.m. praying until he made his acceptance speech. It was also gratifying to hear the Republicans still have control of Congress. This will hopefully result in Trump repealing (as he calls it) “the disaster known as Obamacare.”

It’s sad how this election caused some Christians to be ensnared by a political spirit. Last weekend I received a Facebook friend request from a revivalist who previously unfriended me because of differences we had regarding the Second Amendment. She friended me from a second page set up to promote Hillary Clinton for president. This revivalist stated on her wall this page would be taken down in a few days. So I sent a private message explaining I already voted for Trump but she was welcome to add me after the election. My friend responded with a bunch of negative comments about Trump and claimed I “lost my heart” for evangelism. Really? It appears someone else had became more passionate about politics than getting the gospel out.

Donald Trump has set up an evangelical advisory board that includes James Dobson, Jerry Falwell Jr., Ralph Reed, Jentezen Franklin, and Kenneth & Gloria Copeland. Another reason believers should be glad Trump won the election is because of his vice-president. Mike Pence has repeatedly stated, “I’m a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican in that order.” A Trump Administration will protect religious freedoms that some liberal leaders have attempted to suppress. Hillary Clinton’s running mate Tim Kaine was the Virginia governor who supported a superintendent’s order to stop police chaplains from praying in Jesus’ name.

A question many are now asking is “What will happen to Hillary?” Trump had talked of prosecuting and imprisoning his Democratic rival for mishandling classified information while she was Secretary of State. I’d rather see Hillary repent and fess up to all wrong doing that would be considered treasonous if done by anyone else.

Hillary Clinton actually has a slight lead in the popular vote like what happened in the 2000 election between George W. Bush and Al Gore. I’m thankful the electoral college is still in place. Our founding fathers devised it to prevent voter fraud. There have been reports of voting machines automatically changing Trump votes to Clinton votes, dead people registered to vote, and walk-ins without IDs. Current Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe (a long-time friend of Hillary) allowed as many as 60,000 felons to vote by an executive order.

It’s unfortunate many Americans who put their hope in Hillary are acting like a bunch of whiny babies. Colleges offered therapy to students “traumatized” over the election outcome. One held a “Cry In” with tissues handed out by school staff. Teachers cancelled classes so students could “recover.” Some disgruntled voters are rioting and blocking highways. A few Hollywood celebrities threatened to leave the country if Trump got elected (I’m curious how many of them will follow through on that). It’s time for these sore losers to grow up so the United States can be united again.

Regardless of who’s president, God is on the throne and will heal our land if we seek Him first and continue praying for our political leaders. Only then will America become great again.

“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” - Psalm 118:8