Less than a week after resigning as president of Liberty University, Jerry Falwell Jr. was injured in a fall after drinking, according to 911 transcripts and audio obtained by the Huffington Post.

The Sept. 17 Huffington Post report said Falwell’s wife, Becki Falwell, called 911 on Aug. 30 to report her husband had fallen down the stairs and was bleeding. According to the report, Becki Falwell told the dispatcher her husband had been drinking but would not say if he had been “drinking heavily.”

“I’m not going to answer that question,” she reportedly said.

According to the Huffington Post, Jerry Falwell Jr. refused to let his wife take him to the hospital, but a first responder who went to the Falwells’ home found he had cuts on his face and slurred speech. The cuts were reportedly from a trash can that had empty alcohol containers in it.

The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Liberty officials had heard complaints about Jerry Falwell Jr. coming to campus while drunk. Falwell denied those claims.

Faculty and students at Liberty, one of the country’s largest Christian universities, are barred from drinking. Staff are allowed to drink but could be fired if they show up to work under the influence.

“Reporting to work under the influence of any illegal substance or alcohol will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination,” states the school’s employee handbook.

Falwell resigned in August after Reuters reported he and his wife had a long-term sexual relationship with a young man whom they also were in business with. Falwell had been placed on leave after posting a photo of himself with his pants unzipped and his arm around a woman who was not his wife. In his hand was a glass with what he claimed was “black water.”

“Since that time, additional matters came to light that made it clear that it would not be in the best interest of the university for him to return from leave and serve as president,” the school said in announcing Falwell’s resignation last month.

The Rev. Jerry Falwell Sr. was well-known as a teetotaler and banned students from drinking when he founded Liberty in the early 1970s. The elder Falwell swore off alcohol after converting to Christianity in his youth.

His father, Carey Falwell, had been a bootlegger whose drinking cut short his life, according to a 1987 Associated Press account of the family’s history, and had shot and killed his own brother during an argument when the brother was drunk.

″It bothered him so much he started drinking and got cirrhosis of the liver,″ Jerry Jr. told the AP. {eoa}

© 2020 Religion News Service. All rights reserved.

Fear is one of the enemy’s biggest weapons against the child of God. The devil knows that if he can fill us with fear, he can paralyze us from action.

Fear muzzles our mouths from sharing the gospel, causes us to respond with a “no” to God when He asks us to step out in faith and keeps us from using our God-given gifts and anointings for His glory.

There are so many different kinds of fear that affect believers, like fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of lack and many more. As children of God, we know to remember who we are and whose we are so we can stand in faith against the devil’s lies and march valiantly into our destinies, raising high our King.

God has given us spiritual weapons to overcome the spirit of fear in our lives. On this episode of Awaken Podcast on the Charisma Podcast Network, Michael Lombardo speaks with author and minister Krissy Nelson about how she overcame fear and how she continues to overcome fear on a daily basis through Christ.

As ministers of the gospel we like to share our triumph stories, but it’s also important to share our vulnerable stories, and Krissy does an amazing job at that on this show. She breaks open the story of King David and how God used a rejected and cast-aside shepherd boy to defeat Goliath when all the other mighty warriors fell victim to the spirit of fear. There are biblical tools we as believers have access to that will help us overcome fear and walk in radical faith.

It’s time to rise up, church! The devil is shaking in his boots over merely one believer who grabs hold of faith and rejects fear. God has spiritually enabled us to trample on Satan’s head, refuse his lies and walk in victory. The pure and spotless bride that Jesus is returning for will shine with brilliance and won’t be held down by the chains of fear.

Check out the latest episode of Awaken Podcast to receive knowledge on how to grab hold of God’s promises and never let go. {eoa}

Connect with Michael Lombardo at lifepouredoutintl.org and on Facebook. Order his book, Immersed in His Glory, here.

One of the world’s biggest poverty-alleviating organizations spotlights the huge “uphill battle” facing many of the world’s 258 million widows in a just-released report.

Treatment of widows is often startlingly unfair and cruel, catapulting them into a crisis of survival, says the new global report by Texas-based Gospel for Asia (GFA World, gfa.org).

Titled “Widows Often Face Uphill Battle,” (gfa.org/special-report/widows-worldwide-face-tragedy-discrimination/), it examines the different struggles faced by widows in the U.S., Africa and Asia.

Those struggles include battles over widows’ benefits in America, being stripped of homes and possessions in Africa and the practice of shunning and shaming in Asia.

“In some Asian cultures, when a woman’s husband dies, she’s often stripped of her dignity, her worth and her human rights,” said Dr. K.P. Yohannan, founder of Gospel for Asia (GFA World, gfa.org). “Many widows are deprived of their home, their property, and their possessions, leaving them destitute.”

In parts of Asia, many young widows face sexual harassment and abuse, often turning to begging or prostitution to survive.

Widows in some cultures are viewed with suspicion and disgust—sometimes even branded as witches or blamed for their husband’s death and shut out of community life.

‘Excluded and Invisible’

“Cultural shame and prejudice often render widows excluded and invisible,” said Yohannan, whose faith-based organization supports 40 local Sisters of Compassion teams helping widows across Asia. GFA World’s support includes vocational training for widows and giving them opportunity to take part in income-generating activities, such as sewing.

These GFA World teams of visiting women provide emotional and spiritual support, praying with widows in their homes and showing them they’re not alone.

Asia, the world’s biggest continent, has an estimated 57 million widows—roughly equivalent to the populations of California and Florida combined. “On the surface, this seems like an overwhelming uphill battle,” said Yohannan, “but every time a widow receives help and encouragement, we rejoice.”

Supporting the grassroots efforts of local churches in cities and rural villages, GFA World aims to “show the love of God” to outcast widows who’ve known only rejection.

“The apostle James told us in his epistle that true religion is to care for orphans and widows in their distress,” Yohannan said. “The challenge facing the church around the world today is to not just read the Bible, but to do what is written in it.” {eoa}

Gospel for Asia GFA World, gfa.org) is a leading faith-based mission agency, helping national workers bring vital assistance and spiritual hope to millions across Asia, especially to those who have yet to hear about the love of God. In GFA’s latest yearly report, this included more than 70,000 sponsored children, free medical camps conducted in more than 1,200 villages and remote communities, over 4,800 clean water wells drilled, over 12,000 water filters installed, income-generating Christmas gifts for more than 260,000 needy families and spiritual teaching available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry.

Life started in a garden, and we still live in that garden today. Maybe not in a physical sense but definitely in a spiritual one. God told Adam and Eve they were free to eat of every tree in the garden of Eden except one, the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

We all know the story though. Satan tempted Eve to eat of the forbidden tree, deceiving her into believing God was withholding something good from her. She and Adam ate of the fruit, which resulted in the fall of man. Their eyes were opened to their nakedness, and death was released into the world.

As a result, we now experience every sort of disease, death and destruction in this world. However, God intervened. He sent His only Son to redeem us from that painful existence of permanent death. Today, because of the cross and the finished work of Jesus, we can become more than conquerors in this world. Believers now live in the kingdom of heaven, filled with the Holy Spirit of God and anointed with power through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This enables us to demonstrate the kingdom of God to unbelievers, testifying to the reality of Jesus’ resurrection.

God still instructs us today to eat of the tree of life, which is Jesus and His work. He still beckons to us today to eat what is good. Not because He is withholding anything good, but because He desires for us to live. Typically when the Bible speaks of eating, it refers to words, and words involve covenants and people. This is why Jesus instructs Satan, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” (Matt. 4:4).

“Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. And He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, and then He was hungry. And the tempter came to Him and said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones be turned into bread.’ But He answered, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God’ (Matt. 4:1-4).

Not only are words food for our souls but containers for power as well. Through our words we create, just like our Father in heaven. Words can sustain our soul in great distress, and focusing on the Word of God feeds our souls on what is good.

In contrast, when we focus on the words of the enemy of our souls, it becomes like poisoned fruit destroying our garden life from within.

Recently, I was worshipping the Lord Jesus, and He began to give me a vision of the tree of life. It was gnarly in appearance, almost grotesque, twisted and dripping with blood. I realized it was a foreshadow to the cross of Jesus. It was a picture of what was to come, of how our Savior would die on that lonely tree to bring many sons and daughters home to God.

However, the fruit of that tree was good and pleasing to the sight. The fruit of the New Covenant drips with the mercy of God, the forgiveness, the passion and love of the Lord Jesus for His people. There are people who speak words, even to other believers, that do not come from the tree of life. Instead, they come from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which is the Law.

This is why Satan tempted Jesus to eat of the Law, which requires no living active relationship with God. This is why Satan provoked Jesus to turn stones into bread. The stones represent the Law, the high standard of God engraved upon stone and given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Stones can never become bread for our souls.

Words that come from the Law are not from God, not in this age, not in this covenant. Those words are from the accuser of the brethren, who accuses us of sin that Jesus has removed. God the Father is pleased with the work of His Son, and the Bible clearly tells us that Jesus was raised to life without our sin as an irrefutable proof that our sin has been dealt with.

Paul the apostle goes on to ask who is left to accuse us, certainly not Jesus? Under the law, no man can be justified; to even attempt to keep the law is the epitome of self-righteousness. Jesus makes it very clear to the believer that our righteousness is a gift from God alone. It is based on the work of Jesus, not our religious law-keeping. If anyone comes to you with a revelation that does not reflect the work of Christ and the fruit of His Spirit, it is not of God. Just let those stones fall to the ground, knowing who it is that accuses you. Certainly not your Father in heaven, certainly not Jesus. If you believe in Jesus, trust that He completed His work, know that it is through faith alone that you are saved and righteous. This is how no weapon formed against you will prosper. It is critical that we read Scriptures in context. Let us examine the entire Scripture on this verse found in Isaiah.

I often hear people quoting this passage not in its entirety; it is critical that we quote it correctly. The only reason a weapon does not prosper against a believer is because of the gift of righteousness. You have to come to a place completely dependent upon the Word of God, the work of the Lord Jesus, for your justification. The Bible tells us that Christ has been made unto us wisdom, justification and redemption.

“But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 1:30-31).

You must have Christ as your justification to withstand the accusation of the enemy of our souls. In Christ alone you will stand; do not look to yourself in any manner. Apart from Christ there is always something the enemy can accuse you of, but Christ is perfect in all His ways. He is flawless in word and deed. Your life is hidden in Him, and God no longer sees you as yourself. When God the Father looks at you, He sees His beloved Son, in whom He is well pleased. Eat of the words of the New Covenant, the words of Jesus, the tree of life, and live.

Listen to the full episode from Christine Perera’s podcast, Revealing Jesus on the Charisma Podcast Network here. {eoa}

I wrote this article a few years ago but it’s never been more relevant.

In my opinion, failure to recognize diverse gifts may explain why many people are divided on the issue of religion and politics. For instance, John MacArthur, James Dobson, Franklin Graham, Tony Perkins and others have different ministries, but all fall under the umbrella of Christian service. God creates, within each of us, varying desires, talents and levels of interests.

If God has called a man to preach and teach His Word, that will be his passion. If God has called a Christian to pursue politics, that will be his or her passion, and so on.

Problems arise when we become judgmental and fail to respect our differences. Activists should not expect everyone to share their passion for politics, and those who believe Christians should stay out of politics must understand that God clearly calls some Christians to the political arena. God established the concept of government; why would He not desire godly leadership?

The top five comments I’ve heard that prevent involvement are:

1. Moral Majority (1980s) forever linked the church to the Republican Party. We vote for principles, not a particular party. We need to be principle-driven rather than party- driven. “He who rules over men must be just” (2 Sam. 23:3b, NKJV). We need more humble, God-fearing leaders. The Lord hates pride, arrogance and self-centeredness. Without humility and a teachable spirit, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to govern properly. Humility does not mean that leaders become passive pawns, but that they live in total surrender to God; they’re more concerned with God’s opinion than opinion polls. It’s been said that the quality of our government depends more upon the character of our leaders than upon our laws. But be careful—many use “religious talk” and twist the Scriptures to support unbiblical initiatives. Judge what they do more than what they say.
2. Christians are “always against something.” They vilify just abortion and gay marriage. Christians are not magnifying certain issues at the expense of others; we are underscoring the enormous importance of them. All issues cannot be equal. If everything is a priority, then nothing is.

Those who are bold and strongly contend for biblical truths are often seen as “always against something.” But if we’re for marriage between a man and a woman, then we must be against gay marriage. If we’re for the sanctity of life, then we must be against abortion. If we’re for equality, then we must be against the slave/sex trade, and so on. Speaking the truth in love often results in being “against” some controversial things. This can’t be prevented, nor should it be.

We are called to make the truth popular but to make it clear.

We must contend for foundational issues: “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Ps. 11:3).

3. Politics is bad, offensive and divisive. We cannot gauge what we say by whether or not it’s offensive. The laws of a nation establish the foundation. The government cannot remain neutral, or separate, from the foundation on which it rests. Granted, many governments, including our own, often fall short; that’s why we should strive to be on God’s side rather than always assuming that He is on ours. God ordained the institution of government, but He does not approve of every form of government.

We don’t have to abandon our ethics or compromise our principles to be involved in politics—what good is salt left in the shaker, or a light that is hidden? “Politics” is not a bad word. In simple terms, politics refers to governing or leading a group of people. Politics won’t save America, but in order to implement change, honor God and help others, we must take action, hence the political process.

We cannot change a person’s heart by forcing a set of laws or rules upon them, but we can restrain evil and deter wrongdoing. To suggest that God does not want us to elect godly leaders and promote godly legislation runs contrary to His nature (see Rom. 13).

4. The church and the state are to be separate. The courts have used the infamous “separation” phrase to ban religious activities, primarily those promoting Christian principles. Sadly, many believe that “separation of church and state” appears in the Constitution, when, in reality, the phrase does not appear anywhere in the Constitution. Be very clear on this point, especially if you are a student in a public school or university, or even a “Christian” university.

Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, used the phrase in 1802 in a private letter written to the Baptist Association of Danbury, Connecticut.

The Baptists feared that the government might someday try to regulate religious expression. Ironically, we are seeing this today. This is crucial in understanding the spirit in which the First Amendment was written. In other words, the colonists, like the Pilgrims, did not want the government imposing a national religion or denomination on the people—they wanted to worship freely. Mr. Jefferson wisely agreed with them, as did many of the other Founding Fathers. His statement was intended to protect religious expression by building a wall of separation between the church and the state; solidifying the fact that the federal government could not strike down religious freedoms.

The government cannot establish a national religion, but it can openly and unapologetically acknowledge the sovereign hand of God. Acknowledgment is not establishment.

5. The gospel doesn’t allow for politics—it’s not our mission. The No. 1 problem in America is not a political problem, but rather a spiritual problem called sin. The primary goal of the church is not to become a political movement, but a spiritual influence. Politics won’t save America any more than a dumbbell will save someone who is drowning. Nevertheless, we cannot ignore our God-given civic responsibility and the enormous impact politics has on our society. America’s leaders play a big role in shaping the direction of the country.

God’s Word says to confront, confess and turn from sin—political hot buttons cannot be avoided. Many argue, “We shouldn’t say or do anything political. All we need to do is preach the gospel.” Be careful here, although the gospel is our primary focus, this shouldn’t be an excuse against action. God has blessed and sustained America because of our spiritual foundation. Should we now neglect it?

Why would God ordain a government such as ours in America and not ask us to be involved? Although my primary calling is preaching, I thank God for Christians who are involved and who influence America’s political climate. I wish there were more. As the moral and cultural war rages between our shores, the need to be awakened from our spiritual slumber has never been greater. As Martin Luther said, “Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is tested.”

This battle is for the very soul of our nation. It’s our choice—stand or fall. {eoa}

Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship, in Lancaster, California, and now Leona Valley, California. He also began the Westside Christian Radio Network—WCFRadio.org—in 2019. His sermons, books, articles and radio program have sparked change in the lives of many. For more, visit WCFAV.org.

Editor’s Note: I wanted to share this important interview with all of my readers. Please read, watch and share with any friends, family or others who may not yet understand the essential nature of this fall’s election. —Steve Strang

Charisma Media Founder and CEO Stephen Strang appeared on Financial Issues With Dan Celia this week to discuss his most recent book, God, Trump and COVID-19. The two had a far-ranging discussion that included not only insights from the book but about what Strang says is “our most important election ever” and why Christians must turn out to support Donald Trump’s reelection.

As Celia introduced his guest, he asked listeners, “You need to hear more truth, right?”, touting Strang as a proclaimer of truth through his books. The four he has written include the bestselling God, Trump and the 2020 Election as well as what Strang said is “Part B” to that book, God, Trump and COVID-19. This latest work, Strang said, includes well-researched information about the COVID-19 pandemic, which had not happened when he wrote the original book.

“Christians in some ways have been under siege for the last 50 years,” Strang said as part of a discussion on the impact COVID-19 has had on First Amendment rights. The shutdown resulting from the pandemic has revealed “what these left-wing politicians would do. They were just too quick, too gleeful, to happy to shut down the church,” he said, adding that in the spread of lies and misinformation, “there are people who will do anything to defeat Donald Trump.”

Watch the entire video here to gain more insights from Strang—and more truth about the coming election. {eoa}

With the Fall Feasts upon us—Rosh Hashanah begins Friday evening—Curt Landry draws upon the Parable of the 10 Virgins in Matthew 25 as a “wake-up call” for believers who have simply been going through the motions with their relationship with Christ.

As the founder of Curt Landry Ministry and a man of Jewish heritage, Landry says that now, more than ever, believers need to begin preparing themselves for what will happen when Yeshua comes again in His glory.

“It’s the Parable of the Virgins; five were wise and ready and five were not,” Landry told Dr. Steve Greene on a recent episode of Greenelines on the Charisma Podcast Network. “I would say to anybody right now that you need to keep your lamps filled and your wicks trimmed. So, be ready.

“Even in modern-day culture in Israel today, if you’re in a religious Jewish family, you’re getting ready, like it’s a wedding. … They will have one of the younger messengers go out, and they have a shofar, and he’ll be blowing the shofar. Then he will have another young man with him, and they literally are saying this in Hebrew, ‘Behold, the bridegroom cometh.’ …

“This a forerunner of what’s going to happen during the one of the years of the Fall Feasts. Literally the heavens are going to break open and Yeshua is going to come, and He is going to be on His horse with his armies, and they are going to be descending upon Jerusalem. These weddings are literally like previews of coming attractions—what is to come.

“One of the things I’ll be teaching this year in the Fall Feasts … I have a teaching style that I call ACT … ACT. That means apply, change and transform. So, for Rosh Hashanah, you apply an awakening. At this appointed time, I will choose to awaken my soul. There has got to be a place where you understand the bad choices of sin that has robbed you from the benefits of God.

“That’s what repentance is all about. Repentance is disconnecting from the bad choices that have stolen your blessings and reconnecting to your righteousness in Him to be able to access your blessings. You have to choose to apply that, and Yom Kippur is the change. All of us need to change with two places. We need to know Him as a loving heavenly Father, and we need also to know Him in His court as a just judge. We need to trust Him during the change process. And then, Sukkot discourses the wedding celebration, where we choose to abide in Him for the coming year.”

For more from Curt Landry about the Fall Feasts and how to celebrate them, listen to the entire podcast.

Before the 2016 elections in the United States, I published a prophetic word on my website that was later published on other prophetic platforms. I wrote that the Lord had shown me that Donald Trump would win the election, and He gave me a single word that would characterize the next decade ahead, and possibly even longer. The word was “reprieve.”

I shared:

At first, I thought the word “reprieve” simply meant a break, and was very surprised by the definition, its gravity and its significance! Reprieve means: “to delay impending judgment, to relieve temporarily from evil; a respite and a warrant authorizing the delay.” One of the definitions of the word “warrant” is: “something as considered being the positive assurance of a thing.” I believe Donald Trump’s presidency is God’s warrant—a positive assurance of a far-reaching reprieve!

As I contemplated the idea of a reprieve, and with an urgency from the Lord to understand His desires, a question began to form in my spirit: “Lord, if in Your mercy we have been granted a reprieve—a window of time, what does that mean to how we must now live and function during this season? What kind of Christian will this day demand?” As I have pondered these questions, I believe I have been given some insight into God’s heart for the days ahead.

The election season in the United States has been the trigger that has mobilized the global body of Christ to rise up in boldness with unified focus on an offensive such as has not been seen for a very long time! The word of the Lord now ringing in my spirit for the season ahead is this: “Do not lose the momentum you have gained! Do not stop! Do not slacken the pace. Stay on the offensive; take the war into the enemy’s camp and break through the enemy’s defenses.”

God’s desire is that within the sphere and the boundaries He has given each of us, we would rise up as a unified army to rule and reign with Him as co-heirs of His kingdom, and as a force that takes back, holds and occupies the ground that He gives!

Over the past four years, I am not so sure that we have fully understood this. We are presently in the midst of this reprieve—a slot of time to get the job done, very much connected to God’s work through Donald J. Trump in relation to Israel, empowering the church, the appointment of judges, to abortion, the annihilation of human trafficking and pedophilia that is becoming rampant. The enemy’s chief aim is to gain power over the world, to annihilate Israel and prevent the theocratic rule of God on earth from becoming established in Jerusalem, Israel: “The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (Isa. 2:3b, AMP). Israel is the reason the Trump presidency is vital, and why I am certain that he will win again.”

Listen to the full episode from The Sound of the Trumpet podcast on the Charisma Podcast Network here. {eoa}

Faith Marie Baczko is presently the president of Headstone International Ministries and Headstone Academy. Faith is a prophetic teacher, bringing significant revelation to mobilize, equip and strengthen the body of Christ for this momentous hour of history. Visit her website here.

I wrote this article a few years ago but it’s never been more relevant.

In my opinion, failure to recognize diverse gifts may explain why many people are divided on the issue of religion and politics. For instance, John MacArthur, James Dobson, Franklin Graham, Tony Perkins and others have different ministries, but all fall under the umbrella of Christian service. God creates, within each of us, varying desires, talents and levels of interests.

If God has called a man to preach and teach His Word, that will be his passion. If God has called a Christian to pursue politics, that will be his or her passion, and so on.

Problems arise when we become judgmental and fail to respect our differences. Activists should not expect everyone to share their passion for politics, and those who believe Christians should stay out of politics must understand that God clearly calls some Christians to the political arena. God established the concept of government, why would He not desire godly leadership?

The top five comments I’ve heard that prevent involvement are:

1. The moral majority (1980s) forever linked the church to the Republican Party. We vote for principles, not a particular party. We need to be principle driven rather than party driven. “He who rules over men must be just” (2 Sam. 23:3). We need more humble, God-fearing leaders. The Lord hates pride, arrogance and self-centeredness. Without humility and a teachable spirit, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to govern properly. Humility does not mean that leaders become passive pawns, but that they live in total surrender to God; they’re more concerned with God’s opinion than opinion polls. It’s been said that the quality of our government depends more upon the character of our leaders than upon our laws. But be careful—many use “religious talk” and twist the Scriptures to support unbiblical initiatives. Judge what they “do” more than what they “say.”
2. Christians are “always against something.” They vilify just abortion and gay marriage. Christians are not magnifying certain issues at the expense of others; we are underscoring the enormous importance of them. All issues cannot be equal. If everything is a priority then nothing is.

Those who are bold and strongly contend for biblical truths are often seen as “always against something.” But if we’re for marriage between a man and a woman, then we must be against gay marriage. If we’re for the sanctity of life, then we must be against abortion. If we’re for equality, then we must be against the slave/sex trade, and so on. Speaking the truth in love often results in being “against” some controversial things. This can’t be prevented, nor should it be.

We are called to make the truth popular but to make it clear.

We must contend for foundational issues: “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Ps. 11:3).

3. Politics is bad, offensive and divisive. We cannot gauge what we say by whether or not it’s offensive. The laws of a nation establish the foundation. The government cannot remain neutral, or separate, from the foundation on which it rests. Granted, many governments, including our own, often fall short; that’s why we should strive to be on God’s side rather than always assuming that He is on ours. God ordained the institution of government, but He does not approve of every form of government.

We don’t have to abandon our ethics or compromise our principles to be involved in politics—what good is salt left in the shaker, or a light that is hidden? “Politics” is not a bad word. In simple terms, politics refers to governing or leading a group of people. Politics won’t save America, but in order to implement change, honor God and help others, we must take action; hence the political process.

We cannot change a person’s heart by forcing a set of laws or rules upon them, but we can restrain evil and deter wrongdoing. To suggest that God does not want us to elect godly leaders and promote godly legislation runs contrary to His nature (see Rom. 13).

4. The church and the state are to be separate. The courts have used the infamous “separation” phrase to ban religious activities, primarily those promoting Christian principles. Sadly, many believe that “separation of church and state” appears in the Constitution, when, in reality, the phrase does not appear anywhere in the Constitution. Be very clear on this point, especially if you are a student in a public school or university, or even a “Christian” university.

Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, used the phrase in 1802 in a private letter written to the Baptist Association of Danbury, Connecticut.

The Baptists feared that the government might someday try to regulate religious expression. Ironically, we are seeing this today. This is crucial in understanding the spirit in which the First Amendment was written. In other words, the Colonists, like the Pilgrims, did not want the government imposing a national religion or denomination on the people—they wanted to worship freely. Mr. Jefferson wisely agreed with them, as did many of the other Founders. His statement was intended to protect religious expression by building a wall of separation between the church and the state; solidifying the fact that the federal government could not strike down religious freedoms.

The government cannot establish a national religion, but it can openly and unapologetically acknowledge the sovereign hand of God. Acknowledgment is not establishment.

5. The Gospel doesn’t allow for politics—it’s not our mission. The No. 1 problem in America is not a political problem, but rather a spiritual problem called sin. The primary goal of the church is not to become a political movement, but a spiritual influence. Politics won’t save America anymore than a dumbbell will save someone drowning. Nevertheless, we cannot ignore our God-given civic responsibility and the enormous impact that politics has on our society. America’s leaders play a big role in shaping the direction of the country.

God’s Word says to confront, confess and turn from sin—political hot buttons cannot be avoided. Many argue, “We shouldn’t say or do anything political. All we need to do is preach the gospel.” Be careful here, although the gospel is our primary focus, this shouldn’t be an excuse against action. God has blessed and sustained America because of our spiritual foundation. Should we now neglect it?

Why would God ordain a government such as ours in America and not ask us to be involved? Although my primary calling is preaching, I thank God for Christians who are involved and who influence America’s political climate. I wish that there were more. As the moral and cultural war rages between our shores, the need to be awakened from our spiritual slumber has never been greater. As Martin Luther said, “Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is tested.”

This battle is for the very soul of our nation. It’s our choice—stand or fall. {eoa}

Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship, in Lancaster, California, and now Leona Valley, California. He also began the Westside Christian Radio Network—WCFRadio.org—in 2019. His sermons, books, articles and radio program have sparked change in the lives of many. For more, visit WCFAV.org.

Liberty Counsel has filed the reply on behalf of Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry regarding the request for an emergency motion for injunction pending appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals regarding Gov. Gavin Newsom’s unconstitutional orders.

Within 45 minutes of filing the motion last Friday, the court ordered Gov. Newsom to respond by 5:00 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, and Harvest Rock Church to reply on Wednesday by 5:00 p.m. PTD. In his response, the governor has not presented any legitimate evidence to justify his discriminatory orders that prohibit all worship, including home Bible studies and fellowship with anyone who does not live in the home. Yet Gov. Newsom continues to encourage mass gatherings of protesters throughout the state.

The Court of Appeals could rule at any time on the emergency request.

The lawsuit challenges both the total ban on in-person worship (including in private homes) in the counties on the “County Monitoring List” and the ban on singing and chanting in the remaining counties. In addition to in-person worship at Harvest Rock Church, the church also has many life groups, which are home Bible studies and fellowship groups. These too are prohibited under Gov. Newsom’s July 6 (no singing and chanting) and July 13 (no worship) orders. Yet while he discriminates against churches, home Bible studies and fellowship meetings, he allows feeding, counseling and housing people in the same building where worship services occur. Newsom argues that only the worship services should be prohibited while the other nonreligious services should be allowed.

Gov. Newsom has also encouraged thousands of protesters to gather throughout the state. Pasadena has allowed hundreds and thousands of protesters, and neither the Pasadena Public Health Department nor the Pasadena prosecutor have attempted to stop the protests in which people are crowded together, many of them not wearing masks.

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, “Governor Gavin Newsom has not presented any legitimate evidence to justify his discriminatory orders because there is none. He cannot state why thousands of protesters are less ‘dangerous’ to public health than a responsibly distanced and sanitized worship service.” {eoa}

This article originally appeared at lc.org.