I Prayed have prayed
Lord, help our nation to turn back to You. "Let Your kingdom come. . .on earth as it is in heaven." (Mt. 6:10)
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Joseph Bondarenko was born in 1936 in the Ukraine, the son of a pastor. In 1955, he was miraculously admitted to the Institute of Marine Engineers (Naval Academy) since he was not a member of the Komsomol (All-Union Leninist Young Communist League).

At the Institute, he was threatened by the Young Communist League and even the KGB. In his own words: “Then I was called to the office of the rector of the Institute, who gave me an ultimatum: ‘God or diploma—choose!’ God gave me strength and courage, and I made my choice. I said: ‘Serving God and my neighbor is the meaning and purpose of my life. I cannot deny Him who gave His life for me. I cannot deny God for the sake of the diploma.’ So, after six years of study, I was expelled from the institute for my work among young people and for promoting faith in God.”

After his expulsion from the Naval Academy, Christian disciple Bondarenko would go on to serve three stints in Soviet prison camps for his faith in Jesus Christ. Imprisoned for nearly a decade in inhuman, godless Gulag conditions, he was far away from his wife and children. Here, in the Gulag, the minister, author, theologian and public speaker became known as the “Billy Graham of Russia.”

The now 83-year-old pastor spoke at Godspeak Calvary Chapel in Thousand Oaks, California, last Sunday. As if having déjà vu, he said, “Everything that’s happening today [in America] is almost like a movie I have already watched.

“I see a lot of parallels between the Soviet regime and things happening now because there was a time in history where they [the communists] closed churches completely, then they would reopen a little bit, and if the church was open, there were certain ‘guidelines’ given to pastors.

“Don’t they realize what is happening now in America is exactly what happened to us in communist Russia? It started with ‘Don’t gather. Don’t sing. Spread apart. Listen to the government.’ Then it quickly turned into full-on persecution, and the church did not wake up in time. I am here to beg you to call the church to wake up, stand firm, conquer!

“The system was more merciful towards murderers, pedophiles and criminals than to Christians.” . . .

America is beginning to resemble the Soviet Union with its slanted and prejudiced news media mirroring the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic’s news organs Pravda and Izvestia, and with Big Tech’s censorship of free speech, government intrusion into religious liberty and the ostracization of the constitutional rights of freedom of religion and assembly.

“Private schools and homeschooling were completely forbidden,” Bondarenko continued, “because the government was overseeing education of all people and all ages.”

With that in mind, evangelical and pro-life Catholic Christians will understand that if they do not regain control of the wellsprings of liberty that are propelling the culture, sustainable freedom and liberty for our children and grandchildren are far from certain.

American Christendom has gotten itself in a terrible state over the last 100 years. Its anemic presence in the marketplace shows in its lack of power, vigor and vitality. By abandoning the public square, American Christendom has failed to realize that everyone, not just some, will suffer from the violent secular commotion against God’s set boundaries of righteousness. Look at where secular government has extended its protections and piety:

—Engel v. Vitale in 1962: Removal of prayer to Jehovah God in public education.

—Abington School District v. Schempp in 1963: Removal of the Bible from public schools.

—Roe v. Wade in 1973: Slaying of unborn children.

—Stone v. Graham in 1980: Removal of the Ten Commandments from public school walls.

—Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015: Legalization of the sin of homosexuality and homosexual marriage.

—Bostock v. Clayton County in 2020: Expansion of homosexual and transgender rights. . . .

“This is not decay; this is organized destruction,” said U.S. Attorney General William Barr recently of secularism. “Secular forces and their allies have marshaled all the forces of mass communication, popular culture, the entertainment industry and academia, in an unremitting assault on religion and traditional values.”

We praise General Barr for his moral stance, elucidating on the battle between the two principalities—Christianity versus secularism—vying for ideological supremacy and control of resources in the public square.

Which brings us to Pastor Ken Graves of Bangor, Maine.

Bethany Blankley reports that “Calvary Chapel of Bangor, Maine, has resumed holding indoor services while also practicing social distancing and following sanitizing guidelines, despite threats of criminal charges, fines and imprisonment [from Maine Governor Janet Mills].”

Graves is head of the board of directors for the American Renewal Project, and as such, we celebrate his Gideon stand in the public square and lawsuit against Maine’s despotic Governor Mills.

“The same scrutiny as being mandated for houses of worship,” argues Graves, “is not being imposed upon ‘essential’ commercial and nonreligious entities, including liquor stores, marijuana dispensaries, warehouse clubs and big-box stores.

“The governor initially prohibited all religious gatherings, including holding services in parking lots. The initial order stipulated that violators would face criminal penalties of up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

“After Liberty Counsel sued, the governor said at some point in the future she would allow ‘very limited worship,’ but only after churches that applied with the state to reopen were approved to reopen and displayed a badge on the outside of the building signifying they had the state’s approval to be open.”

Remember the Soviet-style guidelines pastor Bondarenko spoke off?

While all deaths are tragic, COVID-19 deaths in Maine represent 0.001% of a population of 1.34 million.

God had great purpose in the founding of America, where in 1607 America’s founders at Jamestown disembarked, erected a cross, knelt, received Communion and pledged: “We do hereby dedicate this land, and ourselves, to reach the people within these shores with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to raise up godly generations after us, and with these generations take the kingdom of God to all the earth. May this covenant of dedication remain to all generations, as long as this earth remains, and may this land … be evangelist to the world. May all who see this cross remember what we have done here, and may those who come here to inhabit join us in this covenant.”

While contemporary America has drifted far from its founders’ mission statement, the present days of adversity and the flame and crucible of trial and tribulation are reshaping a people called by His name. With that said, let us not make the mistake of going right back to “normal” after the hard times have come to an end. We must keep building on Jesus’ kingdom ekklesia assignment put forth in Matthew 16:18. . . .

God declares nowhere that He will preserve imprudence and presumption, in light of the butts, budgets and buildings model adopted by the church over the last century, including abandonment of the public square.

A.W. Pink’s words make clear just how muddled and nonplussed the 21st-century church has become: “Nowhere in the epistles is there a single exhortation for the saints as such to engage in public evangelism, nor even to do ‘personal work’ and seek to be ‘soul winners.’ Rather are they required to ‘witness for Christ’ by their daily conduct in business and in the home. They are to ‘show forth’ God’s praises, rather than tell them forth. They are to let their light shine. The testimony of the life is far more effectual than glib utterances of the lips. Actions speak louder than words.”

God be praised that Gideons and Rahabs are entering the public square.

(Excerpt from Charisma News. Article by David Lane. Photo Credit: Getty Images.)

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Darrell K. BURDGE
September 27, 2020

I Believe in God and America and how it became a Great Nation. It was through Prayer, Blood, Sweat, and Tears.
The God of the Pilgrims is still the same God today. He still answers Prayer. Proverbs 4:23 says………
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life”.

Patricia Asmussen
September 24, 2020

Father in Heaven thank you for loving us. Thank you for sending Jesus, thank you for having a plan for our salvation. Thank you that this plan applies to all. Thank you for the simple part of preaching the gospel to every creature. Thank you for loving the world, not just Christians. Dad I know that nothing gets by you, nothing. You know the beginning from the end. Help us not to forget who you are and who we serve and whose we are. Keep us from sounding like the world. Thank you for your provision and thank you that you are our avenger, no matter what comes against you will enact perfect justice on everyone involved. Nothing has surprised and nothing goes unnoticed, including our preaching. Remind us to sing praises to your name, not only when we are in service but also when things are absolutely horrible. Unite your body, stop the groveling and picking sides and backlash and back biting that we keep seeing. Unite us, one body, one mind, one mission, preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, birth, suffering, death, resurrection and ascension. Your perfect plan. Help us bring all of your people into the fold by lifting up Jesus. Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus. Thank you for Jesus. In his name I pray Amen.

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Remy Tam
September 24, 2020

Remember Christ followers are to do the Great Commission. We are to be His witnesses empowered by His resurrection power and to share the
LOVE of God in arts, science and worship For His creatures.
We are in need of His grace and be transformed to the image of Christ and have the mind of Christ in all that we do, say and particularly how we live in this secular age.
America should repent and return to faith in the Almighty God in order to be blessed ! Ask and God will hear us!

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Graystone
September 24, 2020

I must disagree with A.W. Pink.
First, believers Are to actively be engaged in evangelism. Matthew 28:19-20.

Second, when Jesus sent His apostles (2 by 2) He did Not tell them to simply walk through villages/towns/country sides & be silent examples of Christ like love. Rather than being passive they were to be active.

Third, believers Must keep Romans 13:1-5 in mind.

Finally, Peter & John were imprisoned for teaching & preaching about Jesus & were ordered Not to continue. Their response was that they felt & knew that they should obey God rather than men. Acts 4:19-20 & 5:29.

Believers MUST speak, teach & preach the Good News! We have been commanded to do so. However, believers should understand that in doing so – going against authorities – they might & even will be persecuted – suffer consequences – but, Jesus the Christ said that persecution Will happen to those who do. Matthew 10:23.

Oh, & BTW, these Are the End Times. They began when the Christ died & rose again!

Stay strong & committed dear brothers & sisters! Eternal Life with God is worth the battle (s).

14
Mel Teoh
September 24, 2020

Father God:
In Jesus name, we, the church understand that:
God had great purpose in the founding of America, where in 1607 America’s founders at Jamestown disembarked, erected a cross, knelt, received Communion and pledged: “We do hereby dedicate this land, and ourselves, to reach the people within these shores with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to raise up godly generations after us, and with these generations take the kingdom of God to all the earth. May this covenant of dedication remain to all generations, as long as this earth remains, and may this land … be evangelist to the world. May all who see this cross remember what we have done here, and may those who come here to inhabit join us in this covenant.”

In Jesus name, we ask that these be reversed:
—Engel v. Vitale in 1962: Removal of prayer to Jehovah God in public education.

—Abington School District v. Schempp in 1963: Removal of the Bible from public schools.

—Roe v. Wade in 1973: Slaying of unborn children.

—Stone v. Graham in 1980: Removal of the Ten Commandments from public school walls.

—Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015: Legalization of the sin of homosexuality and homosexual marriage.

—Bostock v. Clayton County in 2020: Expansion of homosexual and transgender rights. . . .

Your will be done on America as it is in heaven. Amen.

18
Robert Righter
September 24, 2020

This has to be our legacy to our children and those that follow us. We must work and ensure that it happens.
“We do hereby dedicate this land, and ourselves, to reach the people within these shores with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to raise up godly generations after us, and with these generations take the kingdom of God to all the earth. May this covenant of dedication remain to all generations, as long as this earth remains, and may this land … be evangelist to the world. May all who see this cross remember what we have done here, and may those who come here to inhabit join us in this covenant.”
In Jesus Name we ask and pray and commit. Amen!

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Darrell
September 24, 2020

I pray that the Lord would wake up the churches of America. I pray that all Christians will fall down before Him in repentance, that He might renew us and heal our land. I pray that He will make his pastors and priests flames of fire who will speak out against the evil in the land.

17
Rev. Tom Chopp
September 24, 2020

“Tortured for Christ” – After years of imprisonment and solitary confinement, enduring inhumane torture, Pastor Richard Wurmbrand emerges with a powerful testimony of courageous faith. Even today, believers are suffering and dying for Christ, yet their faith will not falter under the most unthinkable persecutions. Bible believing Christians MUST stop all attempts in our nation to limit our God-given Freedoms and Rights as written in the Constitution are we will face additional verbal, emotional, and physical abuse for the enemies of Jesus the Christ.

23
Dennis Shasteen
September 24, 2020

The end times are here. Matthew 25: 31-46! Those who think they are Christian but don’t live it. When threatened won’t stand for Christ vs those who are persecuted for their belief. Which side are you on?

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