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PAT ROBERTSON: SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT |
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Let's set the record straight about recent comments made by Pat Robertson after the earthquake in Haiti. I came out yesterday and expressed regret that he blamed the earthquake on the island's "pact with the devil". However, if you read his actual statement, he did NOT say they deserved the earthquake. His statement reads:
PAT ROBERTSON: And, you know, Kristi, something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it. They were under the heel of the French. You know, Napoleon III and whatever. And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, "We will serve you if you will get us free from the French." True story. And so, the devil said, "OK, it's a deal."
And they kicked the French out. You know, the Haitians revolted and got themselves free. But ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after the other. Desperately poor. That island of Hispaniola is one island. It's cut down the middle. On the one side is Haiti; on the other side is the Dominican Republic. Dominican Republic is prosperous, healthy, full of resorts, etcetera. Haiti is in desperate poverty. Same island. They need to have and we need to pray for them a great turning to God. And out of this tragedy, I'm optimistic something good may come. But right now, we're helping the suffering people, and the suffering is unimaginable.
He made a very important distinction: The island is divided between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The nation of Haiti has a history of unspeakable tragedy, while the DR remains prosperous. The point that was made is simple: When you allow evil to have influence, you will experience the result of that. Just as you will experience blessing, protection and prosperity when seeking God -- as seen in the DR. Pat Robertson NEVER said the Haitian people deserved this earthquake. He was drawing a line between what can happen as a result of what we seek after. Above all, he reminds us that we must continue to pray for the Lord to capture the hearts of the Haitians.
God reminds us of the same: "Choose this day who you will serve" (Joshua 24:15) and to choose life! (Deuteronomy 30:19) |
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Last Updated on Friday, 15 January 2010 02:20 |
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What Are We Really Looking For? |
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After seeing several articles about achieving more "political diversity", a thought occurred to me: Doesn't this all seem a bit backwards? The mainstream media would love for us to believe that the entire country is lined up in perfect harmony, crying for the Republican party to step away from "staunch conservatism". That our current course will provide all the answers. But, the truth is, this is NOT a political issue (regardless of which side of the aisle you sit on) -- it's a HEART issue!
Honestly, let's think for a minute: Where does the majority of the country REALLY want shared values to lead us as a nation? When folks like Bill Maher start seeing there's a problem with our President being so focused on celebrity status, instead of actually leading the country, that ought to tell us something! (I would say the same thing if a Republican President was at the center of a media circus! We need leadership, not a pretty mouthpiece!)
To me, as Christians, these issues should not be simply Republican or Democratic issues, there's something much bigger at work here, and that is standing up for the truth of God's Word! When we get down to it, that's the only thing that will survive for all time (see Matthew 24:35). The direction of our country should NOT be determined by the views and values of the current party "in power". Whether you are a conservative, a moderate, or a liberal thinker with your political views, can't we agree that we want to stand up for freedom to preserve it? The only way we will truly achieve this is to stand up and put God and His Word back in it's rightful place of the most importance in our nation! The Bible makes a pretty clear promise:
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The World's Greatest Need |
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As the relentless campaigning of the American Presidential election comes to a close, regardless of party affiliation, it's becoming very clear that America's greatest need will never change. The thing is, America's greatest need is also the world's greatest need as well.
It's a sad observation that it seems to take the election of our leaders for us to give more attention to what we need. But, somehow, we continue to overlook the greatest one of all:
"Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land" -- 2 Chronicles 7:14 - NLT
Most of us know that verse, but look what follows:
"My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. 16 For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy—a place where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart" (V. 15-16)
I've always been reminded that "Judgment begins at the house of God" (1 Peter 4:17). But even greater than that, restoration begins there as well! Not just for America, but for the entire world!
For everyone who can vote, we have a duty to do so. But even greater than that, we have an obligation to ask for God's hand to return to this world! It's a daily need, not just every four years!
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"I will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected. The Just Live by Faith Then the LORD answered me and said: “ Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.“ Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith" (Habakkuk 2:1-4 - NKJV)
If you're like me, Habakkuk isn't exactly the first thing you would think to read in the Bible. But these verse have always jumped off the page at me. Still, it hasn't been until recently that I really started to understand just how important this message is.
We starting a new church here in the D/FW area, so it makes sense that God would be talking to me more and more about identifying a vision, not just for the church, but for me; what is my role there? I was encouraged as God began to answer that.
I had been thinking about the vision He had given another friend who will be involved with the church. On the surface, it seems simple, almost too simple, but I really started to think about it. His vision is simply to help others identify what their vision is so he can help them accomplish it.
So God asked me: "What do you need to do before you can do that?" I honestly had no clue, and was happy to tell Him that and asked him to tell me. He said, "Before someone can identify their vision, they have to identify their great need" Now, on the surface, that may also seem too simple. I think most people (who have a relationship with God) would agree that the greatest need is salvation. That's true, but beyond that, what would you say your greatest need is? Everyone's answer is different. A definition of wholeness is, Nothing missing, nothing broken. What needs do you have to have met in order for that to be true in your life?
We have all been told that God wants to meet all our needs in Christ. The question is, do we have the faith in Him that we need to take Him at His Word? He assures us in Jeremiah 1:12 that He watches over His Word to perform it. Are we trusting Him to perform it the way He wants to?
What is your greatest need? What is your vision? Trust God and take Him at His Word (See Matthew 6:33) -- step out in faith and find out! |
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