Grote Industries granted an Injunction against the Federal Government’s Health Insurance

On Jan. 30, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted an injunction against the federal government’s health insurance contraceptive mandate to Grote Industries, a Catholic-owned business, reversing a lower court’s ruling that earlier dismissed the business’ lawsuit.

Grote, which creates vehicle components, is a family-owned company based in Indiana. The company self-insures its 1,148 full-time employees, and the Grote family objects to the mandate’s required coverage for contraceptives, abortifacients, and sterilization.

Continue reading here. . . .

Liberty in Christ

Sinclair B. Ferguson:

When we impose man-made regulations upon ourselves (or others) and lose sight of our liberty to do or not do those things which Scripture neither commands nor forbids, we destroy the fruit of the Spirit and we cease to grow (or to allow others to grow). (Grow in Grace)

The Bosom of America is Open

George Washington:

“The bosom of America is open to receive not only the Opulent and respectable Stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all Nations and Religions; whom we shall welcome to a participation of all our rights and privileges, if by decency and propriety of conduct they appear to merit the enjoyment.”

Amazing Speech at the National Prayer Breakfast

Religious Liberty

John Adams:

Let the pulpit resound with the doctrine and sentiments of religious liberty. Let us hear of the dignity of man’s nature, and the noble rank he holds among the works of God… Let it be known that British liberties are not the grants of princes and parliaments. (Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law — 1765)

Using the IRS to Challenge Religious Freedom

From OneNewsNow.com:

The Freedom From Religion Foundation has sued the Internal Revenue Service in an effort to force the agency to crack down on churches. . . .

“Well, I think this is just further evidence that groups like Freedom From Religion Foundation or Americans United for Separation of Church and State are trying to use the Johnson Amendment in the tax code as a tool of intimidation to silence and censor churches,” contends Erik Stanley, senior counsel with the Alliance Defending Freedom.

The Freedom from Religion Foundation argues that churches and religious organizations have become more involved in political campaigns, “blatantly and deliberately flaunting the electioneering restrictions.”

The lawsuit, filed in Wisconsin, cites several examples, including full-page ads that ran this fall in The New York Times and other newspapers by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association that featured a photo of renowned evangelist Billy Graham urging Americans to vote along biblical principles.

Click here to read more. . . .

Who Serves Who?

Jerry Bridges:

We have to take control of our bodies, and make them our servants instead of our masters. (The Pursuit of Holiness, p. 111)

Never Be Idle!

Thomas Jefferson:

Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time, who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done, if we are always doing.”

Up or Down?

Ronald Reagan:

“You and I are told we must choose between a left or right, but I suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There is only an up or down. Up to man’s age-old dream — the maximum of individual freedom consistent with order — or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism. Regardless of their sincerity, their humanitarian motives, those who would sacrifice freedom for security have embarked on this downward path.”

One Straight Course

George Washington:

“There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily.”

Election-Day Advice from John Calvin

The following is an excerpt from John Calvin’s Sermons on Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 1:13), updated into modern English. The source of the following material is from American Vision. John Calvin writes:

Now we must also observe this saying of Moses: Choose ye men of wisdom and of good skill, men well-tried, that they may be set over you according to your tribes, even over thousands, over hundreds, and over fifties, as we shall see afterward. Hereby it is shown to us that when we have to elect men to hold public office, we must choose them with discretion and not take on the fly those who thrust themselves in first. Neither must they be taken for favor or for some vanity that appears good, but that God presides over the election and that such men may be selected as are known to be appropriate to exercise the estate to which they are called. And we must especially observe that which is rehearsed in Exodus 18 (as already mentioned): for there Jethro says that we must take men that are virtuous, fearing God, lovers of the truth, and haters of avarice. Who is he that speaks this? A poor pagan man, as I have said already. Yet God governs his tongue in such a way that we cannot have a better teacher than him when we are about to choose men to govern a people. First of all he requires men that are virtuous, such as are not effeminate, but have the capacity to be provided with such a charge, and have good zeal, courage, and magnanimity. . . .

Seeing then that such a lesson is told to us by a heathen man, I pray you what a shame shall it be that we which profess ourselves to be brought up in the law of God and in his Gospel, and have our ears so much beaten with it, should still be novices in the doctrine, or at least practice it so poorly among us? And yet for all that, if we do not use it to our profit, it is written to be kept to our great confusion and to make us inexcusable.

So then, let us weigh well this saying where Moses exhorts the people to choose men of understanding and wisdom, and proven men. For if we put a man in office upon nothing but hope, without good knowledge and experience of him, is it not a defiling of the seat of God and of justice? Indeed, God reserves to himself principality over all men, as he is also worthy to have, and yet notwithstanding he will be served by mortal men as by his ministers and officers. … Shall he that would not take a cowherd or a shepherd into his house upon bare hope, without knowledge or understanding of him what he is, shall he, I ask, go set a man in God’s seat, of whom he has no knowledge, and of whom he has no experience to judge what that man is? Now then, let us be well advised, when God gives this grace, or rather privilege, of electing men who govern (which is not common to all people), let us not abuse that gift of God in any way, or else we shall be amazed to see ourselves bereft thereof. And behold the reason why so many tyrannies have come into the world that the liberty was lost in all nations, that there is no more election, for which reason princes sell the offices of justice, and things are in confusion and it is a horror. And why has this come about but that when the people had the election in their hands, they abused it, and so were worthy that God should deprive them of the honor he had done them. For is it not as good as willfully provoking God’s wrath, and spiting him, when people having free election, who should choose men to serve God and to be his officers, instead make corrupt bargains in taverns, and even as it were in scorn and mockery of God, choose such as are most dissolute and out of bounds? Do you not see this is to pervert all order?

To be short, it should seem that we wish to expel God out of his seat when we set his enemies in it after that sort, and such as despise him, and such as seek nothing else but to tread his name and majesty under their feet. When this is how it is, is it any wonder that God sends such disorder into the world as we see? Now then, we could all the more stand to note well this doctrine, where it is said that when God gives a people liberty to elect officers, they must not abuse it, but must use discretion in choosing them. Yes, and for as much as we may often times be deceived, we must resort to God that he may give us prudence and govern us with his Holy Spirit, as though he had pointed out with his finger whom we ought to choose. And that is the cause why I said that elections shall never be well ordered except God preside over them by his Holy Spirit.

This article may be read in full at American Vision. . . .

 

Suggestions on How We Should Pray for This Election

WHY PRAY?

The Bible commands us to pray for those who are in leadership. This includes those who are vying to become leaders.

Godly leaders can help slow the erosion of religious liberties in our land. This can provide an increased window of opportunity for the Church to pray and evangelize.

According to Scripture, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Prov. 14:34). The selection of leaders who understand and lead according to God’s righteous standards can bring great blessing to a nation.

Scripture also says in Proverbs 11:14, “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisors make victory sure.” The determination of who leads our nation will also determine who advises that leader and how we are guided.

PRAY FOR THE CHURCH:

Our eyes will be opened to see the hope to which we are called (Eph.1:18).

We will experience in a fresh, new way the Presence of Christ in revival.

Believers will be given the faith to believe that their votes will make a difference.

A spirit of repentance and humility will be poured out upon the people of God.

PRAY FOR THE VOTERS:

Wisdom will be sought from God (James 1:5).

Self-interest will be laid aside for the common good.

Discernment between truth and falsehood will be clear.

PRAY FOR THE CANDIDATES:

They will take brave stands for righteousness, even when it may not be well received.

Their families will be protected from harm and unnecessary scrutiny.

They will surround themselves with godly advisors.

They will focus on the issues we face as a nation and not on personal attacks on other candidates.

PRAY FOR THE MEDIA:

Truth in reporting and election coverage will become a high value.

Media bias will disappear.

Christianity will receive fair coverage in all reports.

Hope will become a part of the message of the media.

PRAY FOR THE NATIONS:

Voters will consider the foreign policies of candidates and how they fit with biblical principles.

The activities of other nations will not have an undue influence on our elections.

The result of U.S. elections will serve to spread the gospel around the globe.

The U.S. will stand firm in its commitment to Israel’s right to exist as a nation.

PRAY CONCERNING SPIRITUAL WARFARE DURING THIS ELECTION:

Great awareness and discernment for the Lord’s praying people as they pray over the election.

Physical protection for all candidates and their families throughout this campaign season.

A strong hedge of protection around the nation itself during this time of decision.

The unleashing of the sword of the Spirit throughout the nation, judging the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12).

PRAY FOR THE PURPOSES OF GOD:

Pray that the U.S. will turn and seek first the Kingdom of God.

Pray that the results of the 2012 elections will please the Lord and release His blessing over this nation.Pray for opportunities for Christians to share their faith and their values in the midst of this election process.

The above excerpts are from the 2012 Election Prayer Guide Posted by Darla Dawald, National Director on October 8, 2012 at 12:13am in Patriot Action Alerts

By David Butts, chairman of America’s National Prayer Committee and founder/president of Harvest Prayer Ministries.

© 2011 Harvest Prayer Ministries, Prayer Connect magazine.

Dishonorable Disclosures

Published on Aug 15, 2012 by OPSECTeam: This is a “must see” video!

Six Factors That Threaten Upward Mobility and the American Dream

From The Heritage Foundation’s Morning Bell:

Statism: The modern administrative state entangles businesses in a suffocating web of regulations and laws. All of this red tape takes a toll on the economy, which in turn leads to fewer jobs being created. And fewer jobs mean fewer opportunities for those most in need of jobs.

The Collapse of the Family: The decline of marriage, especially among the poor, has devastating, long-lasting consequences on children and their prospects for success. When it comes to the American Dream, the family is not a tangential social or religious issue; it is a crucial economic one that is deeply intertwined with mobility.

The Dependency Fostered by the Welfare State: Far from eradicating poverty, the welfare state traps people in poverty by discouraging work and undermining the family.

The Erosion of our Culture of Work: By legitimizing indolence and devaluing hard work, our culture decreases the likelihood that the poor, who are most in need of sound cultural indicators, will take advantage of the opportunities America continues to offer.

The Failures of Public Education: Our failing public schools deny countless children the rudimentary skills they need to move ahead in the life.

The Looming Fiscal Crisis: Unless we change course, continued massive government spending and the surging public debt will destroy the foundations of our economy and put the American Dream beyond the reach of our children and grandchildren.

Read the entire article here. . . .

Power and the Presidency

Quoting Dr. Benjamin Wiker of tothesource:

[T]he passion which we invest in Presidential elections, especially this Presidential election, is a very bad sign. Those who truly think that the current path we are on is imminently destructive should be throwing all their elective energy into Congress. The presidency should be, by comparison, much less important. . . .

In fact, the framers were so wary of a strong President that they didn’t even have him elected by popular vote. This interesting fact now makes us bristle with resentment, but the truth is that they were trying to prevent just the kind of short-sightedness, so often found in democracies historically, of the people wanting a king, an absolute dictator, a messiah, to save them from self-inflicted crises. . . .

We have given in to that temptation. As is predictable, our embrace of a strong President began historically with a crisis, the economic and social crisis, the crisis of the Great Depression. FDR answered the crisis by treating a deadly serious domestic problem as if it were a war. That allowed him to transfer the constitutionally-defined strong powers of the Executive, meant for real war, to a domestic crisis.

Continue reading here. . . .