“Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds.”  Proverbs 27:23 (ESV)

The Democrat Party is organizing their own version of CPAC.  The secular progressive Center for American Progress is starting the event and they are calling it the Ideas Conference.

They are modeling the event after CPAC, to be a prime stop for Progressive leaders as well as a nationwide gathering for leftist activists to exchange ideas.

Some liberals fear the event will expose the depth of division within the Democrat Party just before the 2018 midterm elections…  Some frustrated that the 2016 losses brought Nancy Pelosi, Tom Perez, and Keith Ellison back to lead the party.

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”  2 Timothy 3:13.

Mika Brezinksi, in a rare moment of candor, revealed what many Americans have long suspected. 

On air, she disclosed that it was the media’s job to “control exactly what people think.”

In discussing President Trump, she went on to say:

“He could undermine the messaging so much that he could actually control exactly what people think - and that’s our job.”

Messaging is a phrase used by PR firms.  It is not the verbiage of journalists.  Brezinki’s comments acutely frame the reality that the modern national media is driven to control.  Not inform.

“A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight.”  Proverbs 11:1.

In spite of Nordstrom removing her products, Neiman Marcus no longer selling her jewelry, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls discarding her advertising signage Ivanka Trump’s clothing line reports record sales.

Though the “Grab Your Wallet Campaign” asked shoppers to boycott retailers with any Ivanka Trump branded products, Ivanka Trump’s sales have increased 346%.

The mainstream media just doesn’t get it.  The America people refuse to be controlled by them.  What they loathe, the American people love.

“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers…”  1 Chronicles 4:9.

Companies added jobs at a blistering pace in February.  Employment in the private sector surged by 298,000 jobs.

The total shattered market expectations for the month.  The record encompassed the first full month under President Trump.

February proved to be an incredibly strong month for employment with increases we haven’t seen in years according to economic experts.

Moody Analytics’ Chief Economist, Mark Zandi, said “confidence is playing a large role.  Businesses are anticipating a lot of good stuff - tax cuts, less regulation so they are hiring more aggressively.”

The year is off to a sizzling start on the job front.

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” I Corinthians 13:1 (ESV)

When most people use the word “love,” they normally draw from a Hollywood romantic, comedy-based view of the word. But contrary to popular belief, it is not loving to remain perpetually silent when friends, family, and loved ones embrace wickedness.

I Corinthians 13:6 says, “Love does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth.”

Hebrews explains that correction is one of the ways that God shows He loves us.

Next time the love subject comes up, make sure to discuss it biblically.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (ESV)

Paul’s epistle to the Romans was written to believers. This verse highlights the fact that it’s possible for Christians to be conformed to the world’s ways.

The word “conformed” there means to be squeezed into the mold of another.

Rather than to be squeezed into the world’s mold, the Lord requires us to be transformed by having our minds renewed by God’s Word.

Everything about us must be held up to the light of Scripture. And whenever there’s any discrepancy, we must be transformed.

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15b

Martin Niemöller was a prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in a concentration camp. He’s best remembered for the quote:

“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out –

Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out –

Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out –

Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak for me.”

Freedom is never more than one generation away. If we’re going to stand, today is the day.

Ronald Reagan said, “If we don’t preserve this Great Republic of ours, we will only be able to tell our grandchildren about freedom in hushed tones.”

The United States Commission on Civil Rights, the federal agency that recommends to the Department of Justice when civil rights violations are afoot, issues a statement condemning recent state proposals that it feels targets the LGBTQ community. Translation: religious freedom, if it’s to exist at all, must be subordinated to LGBTQ interests.

Can you truly be out and proud as a Christian in public, or does Jesus have to be kept in the closet, only to be mentioned in hushed tones?

First, they silenced the sheep. Now, they’re trying to silence the shepherds.

Dr. Eric Walsh, a renowned public health expert who also happens to be a bi-vocational minister, was hired to work in the public health arena in Georgia, until the Georgia Department of Public Health heard a few of Dr. Walsh’s sermons.

You see, he preached sermons on issues ranging from homosexuality to evolution. Once the department listened to his sermons, they terminated Dr. Walsh’s employment, but Georgia’s governor recently vetoed their religious freedom protection law.

It seems you can come out of the closet as anything you want nowadays – except Christian.

Resources

It's important to stay informed about the war between good and evil in America. Sign up for the daily news brief at OneNewsNow.

“The borrower is the slave of the lender.”

Newly published information from Lifeway Research shows 77% of self-identified Christians in dozens of states think it’s a sin to lend money to someone who can’t afford to pay it back. Still, few say payday loans are immoral and one in six Christians have admitted to taking out a high-interest payday loan.

The federal government’s Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says the typical two-week payday loan charges the equivalent of a 400% interest rate.

These “sharks” prey on the poor, elderly, and most vulnerable in society.

Sound the alarm and make sure your family, church, and neighborhood steer clear of this vermin.

“Oh, Nebuchadnezzar, we will not bow.”

When prompted by Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar to worship his golden statue, the three Hebrew boys did not hesitate to respond.

They didn’t take a poll, or use a lifeline, or sidestep the issue. They responded, “We’ll tell you right now. Our God can deliver us from your fiery furnace. Our God can deliver us from you. Come what may, we will not worship your statue.”

It’s often said we elect government leaders and not pastors. Nevertheless, we consistently see leaders cave in the face of pressure.

Moral clarity, integrity, and conviction are necessary in order to be leaders who, like the three Hebrew boys, will not bow in the face of pressure.

Though we’re not electing pastors for government, biblical morality is a must.

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked…”  Psalm 1:1a (ESV).

The Trump administration sparked the ire of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro when the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the Venezuelan Vice President Tareck El Aissami.

Why?  Because Aissami has been tied to a passport racket as well as prolific international drug trafficking.

The racket includes Aissami selling as many as 173 passports to Middle Eastern natives, including people connected to the Hezbollah terrorist group.

The vice president of a socialist country using his office to traffic drugs and sell passports to known terrorists.

Are we still debating national immigration policy?

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’”  1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)

It’s become a consistent political strategy to connect candidates to people that endorse them.  In the race to decide who will be the next Chairman of the Democratic National Committee David Duke, former Grand Wizard of the KKK, has endorsed Keith Ellison.

Duke tweeted, “Keith Ellison, Sally Boynton Brown, or Jehmu Greeme would all be excellent choices - I really like Keith though… I mean, at least he knows.”

What exactly is it that Duke thinks Ellison knows?  Does this say anything about Ellison?  More importantly, should the DNC still select Ellison, does that say anything about the DNC?

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”  Proverbs 17:17 (ESV)

2 year old Lavontay White, Jr. was killed senselessly in a Chicago shooting streamed live on Facebook.  The shooting left the 2 year old and a 26 year old man, a known gang member and the target of the shooting attack, dead.  A pregnant 20 year old woman was also shot but she and the baby survived.

Nearly 80 people have been killed in Chicago from January 1st to February 20th.  468 people have been shot in that same period.

 These are the results when you continue to pump a society with the notion that life isn’t sacred.

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”  2 Timothy 3:13 (KJV)

British doctors have been told not to use the word “mother” when referring to pregnant women in case it offends transgender people.

New guidelines issued by the doctors’ trade union, the British Medical Association, to its 160,000 members explained “a large majority of people that have been pregnant or have given birth identify as women.  However, there are some intersex men and trans men who may get pregnant.  We can be more inclusive by saying ‘pregnant people’ instead of ‘expectant mothers.’”

Once you untether from the LORD there’s no telling how far you may drift.

“Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice.”  Proverbs 1:20 (ESV)

U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor blocked President Obama’s nationwide transgender bathroom directive to all of America’s public schools.  The Obama administration appealed that decision to the 5th Circuit.

Newly confirmed Attorney General Jeff Sessions asked the Court to withdraw the the Obama Administration’s motion to appeal.

This move could signify the end of President Obama’s radical social experimentation with America’s students.  Additionally, this could mean that President realizes that the sexual deviancy agenda and religious liberty are on a collision course with one another and that President Trump will indeed protect religious liberty.

“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”  Matthew 24:12 (NKJV).

Representative Val Demings of Florida called the violent riots at the University of California-Berkeley a “beautiful sight.”  She said she was “encouraged” to see young people get involved with the political process through protesting.

No Congresswoman, that was not a protest.  That was criminal thuggery lawlessness on display.

We’ve reached the place in our country where civil dissent is no longer viable. Now, Congress members celebrate violent temper tantrums as long as they comport with their political agenda. Civility is allowed only where secular progressivism is advanced.

“Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter.”  Isaiah 59:14 (ESV)

Texas is considering legislation that will keep men out of women’s restrooms and vice versa, similar to the North Carolina’s HB2.  As a result, the NFL is threatening to punish the Lone Star State unless they get on board with the trans-agenda.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott responded like a true Texan.  He tweeted: “NFL decision makers also benched Tom Brady last season. It ended with the NFL handing the Super Bowl trophy to Brady.”

Governor Abbott’s tweet may provide some insight into the phrase “Don’t mess with Texas.”

“And he has determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitation.”  Excerpted from Acts 17:26 (KJV).

Nationals from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan have been banned from entry… into Kuwait.

The Kuwait government cited “difficult security conditions in the five countries” in its reasoning for enacting the 5 nation ban.

It has suspended all tourism, visit and trade visas, as well as visas sponsored by spouses, according to Kuwait authorities.

So, we have a Muslim-majority nation banning nationals from other Muslim-majority nations, that happen to be hotbeds for terrorism, because Kuwait recognizes those nations have unstable governments…

I guess protecting national interests is important.

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”  Genesis 2:24 (ESV)

God ordained the marital union to be a living, breathing illustration of Christ’s relationship with his bride.  Ephesians 5 lays it out in great detail.  A relationship, where all of the flaws, faults, warts and scars are known, yet the love commitment thrives.

You won’t see this in Romantic comedies because, frankly, Hollywood types have no idea what Biblical love is.  The marital union is a glorious institution characterized by passionate commitment and mutual humility, where spouses esteem one another more highly than themselves.  Marriage is more than a relationship, its ministry.