Moments of Silence

Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Many Americans recalled what they were doing when four hijacked planes caused the deaths of nearly 3,000 people. Some commemorate that and other events with moments of silence. Is this beneficial?

There’s an old saying, “Silence is golden.” Some people talk too much and would be better off practicing moments of silence. One should be cautious of opening their mouths, especially when they are angry. That way, they won’t utter anything hastily. Ecclesiastes 3:7 says there is ”a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.”

Usually, I spend a few minutes per day “soaking” while soft music is playing in the background. At the very least, it quiets my mind. Often God speaks to me through a vision. However, moments of silence (just like thoughts) don’t take the place of spoken prayers. James 4:2 (KJV) says, “…ye have not, because ye ask not.”

After John Lennon died in 1980, his widow Yoko Ono requested ten minutes of silence on his behalf. That didn’t change John’s eternal destiny. Honoring the dead will not cause them to go from hell to heaven. Their fate has been determined. Psalm 115:17 says, “The dead do not praise the LORD, nor any who go down into silence.”

Religious folk will tell you to be quiet in their institutions and in public like what happened with the two blind men who called out to Jesus for healing (Matthew 20:29-34). People won’t get saved and delivered unless they hear the truth. God gave us mouths to speak. Let’s use them to share the Good News, edify the brethren, and cry out against tyranny and deception.

“Behold, it is written before Me: I will not keep silence…” - Isaiah 65:6

The Gospel Soul Winning Script

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 felt awkward, but soon I realized the Soul-Winning Script is particularly helpful for those new to evangelism. It minimizes distractions by helping soul winners stay focused on leading people to Jesus. The first time I used the Script, I prayed with 17 people that included an entire Hispanic soccer team. Another time in a different part of Washington, DC, I led another 21 people to the Lord.

Since then, I’ve incorporated parts of the Soul Winning Script when approaching people with the gospel. Regardless of the tools you use for witnessing, the important thing is to go out and make yourself available. More of God's people need to open their mouths so sinners can hear and receive the Good News.

“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” - Romans 10:14

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 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

The Six-Day War...50 Years Later

Tomorrow will be the golden anniversary of a noteworthy event relating to end-time prophecy. On June 5th, 1967, Israel launched attacks on six neighboring countries that amassed troops near their borders threatening invasion. The war ended just five days later. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Israel routed her enemies and possessed additional territory including the eastern half of Jerusalem. For the first time in 2,000 years, the entire city was in Jewish hands.

Since the Six-Day War, Israel has given up some of her territory in hopes of lasting peace with her neighbors. Shortly after the Gaza Strip was turned over to the Palestinians in 2005, rockets from there were fired upon Jewish settlements. The PLO’s charter still calls for the destruction of Israel.

This past week, President Donald Trump delayed his promise in moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the Jewish people. According to a White House statement, this was done “to maximize the chances of successfully negotiating a deal between Israel and the Palestinians.” Well-meaning politicians need to wake up to the fact you cannot negotiate with terrorists.

There will be a temporary peace in the Middle East when the Antichrist oversees the signing of a seven-year treaty (Daniel 9:27). Ultimately, war will cease in this region once the Lord Jesus Christ returns to see up His Millennial reign upon the earth. 

Are you ready for His return?

“And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.” - Zechariah 12:3

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

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)