“… Each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other.”  Excerpted from Nehemiah 4:17 (ESV).

For years, Miami-Dade County has refused to hold some illegal immigrants in its jails for federal immigration agents. 

But after President Trump signed an executive order threatening to withhold federal funds from sanctuary cities, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez changed his mind.

Mayor Giminez ordered the director of his corrections department to begin honoring all requests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to hold immigration suspects in Miami-Dade jails.

With $355 million in federal funds slated for Miami in 2017, Mayor Gimenez had a timely change of heart.

“Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds.”  Matthew 14:22 (ESV)

Here Jesus instructed His disciples to cross a lake and meet Him on the other side of it. As they went, they were met by a violent wind storm that halted their progress.

Often in our Christian lives we receive clear instruction from the LORD, only to be met by an obstacle that halts our progress. We must, however, recognize that the onset of a storm does not cancel out God’s instructions.

Halted progress does not equal denied destination.

When Jesus directed the disciples to go to the other side, He absolutely meant for them to get there.

Delay does not equal denial.

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’”  Matthew 19:14 (ESV)

Boko Haram, the Nigerian wing of Islamic terrorists, has stooped to new lows in its sworn quest to “purge Nigeria of Christians.”

They now use babies in suicide bombings.

Boko Haram dispatches women carrying babies in their arms into the various areas of Nigerian cities.  They use jihadi women to skirt local law enforcement.  Because these women are disguised as mothers they gain access to critical cities and these women blow themselves up as suicide bombers, killing the babies they carry.

This is how Boko Haram responds to Nigerian authorities’ attempt to fight terrorism.

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”  Ephesians 6:4

The statistics show that children who grow up without a father are 5 times more likely to live in poverty and to commit crime. They are 9 times more likely to drop out of school and 20 times more likely to end up in prison. Yet, the percentage of children born to fatherless homes has skyrocketed in America.

As of 2015, 25% of white, 53% of Hispanic, and 73% of black babies are born into fatherless homes.

According to Scripture, the weight of raising children in the discipline and instruction of the LORD falls upon fathers. 

It seems like we need a movement that says, “Fatherhood matters.”

Resources

OneMillionDads.com is packed with life-changing teachings for dads. Topics include christian living, Scripture, the righteous husband, nation and world, and, of course, fatherhood.

“He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”  Daniel 2:21 (ESV)

- Easing the regulatory burdens and removing the fiscal burdens of Obamacare… like the individual tax mandate and penalty.

- Imposing a federal government hiring freeze, except for the military of course.

- Eliminating funding to international groups that perform or promote abortions, including international Planned Parenthood.

President Trump is starting his presidency full speed ahead.

He may have been your guy.  He may not have been your guy.  But it’s good to remember that God is the master of using broken sticks to paint straight lines.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”

Jesus instructed His church to make disciples of all nations.

A disciple is a disciplined learner or follower who applies his discipline to every area of life. That means the light of Christ must shine through people in the church, the business world, and government.

People must be offered Christ, be equipped, and launched into the world as laser-guided, heat-seeking ballistic missiles, ready and able to light up the darkness around them. To do so requires they be introduced to personal holiness, biblical worldview formation, and an understanding as to how the biblical view applies to the life in the world around us.

"Lord, we ask that you cause our hearts to burn, to do our portion in fulfilling your Great Commission."  

"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil." Isaiah 5:20a

Georgia governor Nathan Deal, a Republican, vetoed Georgia’s religious protection bill that would have protected the right of clergymen to solemnize marriages consistent with their religious beliefs.

The bill would have also protected faith-based institutions who used their resources to further advance their religious missions.

The bill passed both houses of Georgia’s legislature, only to be vetoed by the governor, who endured numerous threats of boycott from the film industry, sports leagues, as well as numerous businesses.

Interestingly, many of the same businesses who decry Georgia’s protection of religious liberty also do business in Saudi Arabia, but which one is worse: not being able to be married by a preacher, or losing your life for being homosexual.

“Always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for the reason for the hope that is in you.”

Many who oppose Christianity target their hostility on our foundation, the Bible. They say it is unreliable because Genesis one and Genesis two are contradictory accounts of the creation story.

In actuality, the two chapters are complimentary and not contradictory.

When Jesus was asked about marriage, He quoted from both chapters one and two, saying that He made them both to be male and female in the beginning. "And for this cause shall a man leave his mother and father and cleave unto his wife."

Genesis one is an overview of the creation story and Genesis two is an up close examination of day six. If Jesus relies on them both, so can we.

“Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.”  Luke 12:2 (ESV)

The Clinton Global Initiative, part of the Clinton Foundation, is set to close its doors once and for all.

As soon as Clinton lost the election, many of the criticisms directed toward the Clinton Foundation were reaffirmed.  Foreign governments began pulling out of annual donations, signaling the organization’s clout was predicated on donor access to the Clintons, rather than its philanthropic work.

What did the Clintons have access to before the election that they don’t have now… the White House and the State Department.

Without that access, foreign governments are no longer interested in the Clinton Global Initiative.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”  Matthew 5:9 (ESV)

Often people refer to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speeches in excerpts and sound bites.  We’d do well, however, to remember these words from the “I Have a Dream” speech:

"In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred."

Our nation is more divided now than ever before in my lifetime.  We must be careful not to confuse hatred and bitterness with righteous indignation.  One leads toward God’s heart being revealed.  The other comes from the evil one.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

What is the proper role of government? Romans chapter 13 outlines government’s function and it is basically this: to restrain or to punish wickedness and to reward righteousness.

Government was never intended to be our savior. Government is our servant.

As we focus on our civil occupations and our civic engagement responsibilities, let us never forget that government is not our God. We don’t put our trust in it; we put our trust in our Christ.

As a result, what we want is a government that stays out of our way and leaves room for our church to do our business of fulfilling the Great Commission.

“You are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world.” Jesus described His church in this way.

ISIS brags about kidnapping a Catholic priest in Yemen and threatens to crucify him on Good Friday. Christians were targeted in Pakistan, killing at least 65 people, mostly women and children.

Suicide bombers in Brussels, Belgium; jihadists in Paris, France; San Bernardino, California; the Boston Marathon; Fort Hood.

The common thread between these attacks is Islamic jihad, regardless if the president acknowledges it or not.

The world is getting darker, but the anecdote to this darkness will never be political. It is spiritual. Instead of waiting for someone to turn on the light, it is time for you and I to be the light.

Have you ever been accused of being a one issue voter?

Just because you believe Biblical values are best for our country doesn’t mean that you may not know who the Treasury Secretary is. Nor does it mean you don’t have any concern for the economy.

However, the scripture teaches that righteousness exalts a nation and sin is a reproach to any people.

Because you hold fast to biblical values, does not mean you distance everything else because you have no concern about it.

When we recognize that righteousness does in fact exalt a nation, we also recognize that it has its impact on the economy.

Because you believe the Bible doesn’t make you a one issue voter. It makes you biblical.

“The LORD’s mercies are new every morning.  Great is your faithfulness.”  Paraphrased from Lamentations 3:23 (ESV).

One thing a Trump presidency brings with it is new language from the Democrats.  What use to be described as “obstruction” will now be termed a “Constitutional Check on Executive Power.”

Democrats are positioning themselves to be the “No” party as they get ready to rumble with Donald Trump over his cabinet picks and the entirety of his Presidential agenda.

Just watch as the Democrats, and their public relations team—the mainstream media, employ new vernacular to laud the Constitutional fidelity shown by Congressional Democrats as they seek to thwart President Trump at every turn.

It's amazing how much one election changes things.

“…For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.”  Romans 2:1 (ESV)

Madison Square Garden owner James Dolan announced the Radio City Rockettes had to perform Trump’s inauguration.

One Rockette wrote it made her cry that she was being forced to do something she didn’t believe in.

George Takei tweeted his support for the Rockettes who were being “forced to do something terrible they didn’t choose.”

Anthony Bourdain announced he refuses to eat at any restaurant hosted at Trump Tower.

Suddenly, freedom of association is cool. Freedom to selectively patronize businesses or offer your services is actually vital now… unless, of course, you’re a Christian baker, florist, or artist.

“But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man.”  Mark 3:27 (ESV)

Over the Christmas weekend in Chicago police investigated 27 shooting incidents, 12 of which were fatal.

There have been 753 homicides and 3,495 shooting incidents in the city from January 1st to December 25th.

Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said criminals feel empowered and emboldened by recent police criticism.

He explained “when criminals feel the public will speak out for them and not the police officers, that's giving them the power to go out and do what they did” over the Christmas weekend. 

Anti-police sentiment jeopardizes the safety of the most vulnerable communities.

“I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”  Genesis 12:3 (ESV)

In an unprecedented move the United States has joined 14 other nations in condemning Israel for living and building in Judea and Eastern Jerusalem before the U.N. Security Council. 

The U.S. has veto power over any measure presented there.  Instead of using this power the U.S. abstained from the vote, paving the way for the Council to condemn Israel for maintaining sites like the Western Wall.  The White House has confirmed that this decision came directly from President Obama.

Its unwise to turn our backs on Israel.

“And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years.”  Genesis 1:14 (ESV)

Among the many things God has provided, He’s granted us the blessing of times and seasons.  He’s also blessed us with the clocks and calendars to measure the passage of time.

As we evaluate last year and set goals for the new year there will be many competitors for the throne of hearts.  But Christ deserves top billing.  May your New Year’s calendar be filled with unwavering resolve and exponential growth in your commitment  to follow King Jesus.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15

In the latest show of tolerance Chip and Joanna Gaines, the HGTV stars of the hit show “Fixer Upper,” are getting flack for attending a church where - get ready for it - the Pastor actually preaches and believes what the Bible says about human sexuality.

This is just another example of the secular progressive “tolerance” mantra being nothing more than a buzzword for ideological conformity.

In response to the current issue Chip Gaines tweeted, “In times of trouble you’ll find the Gaines family at Church.” This, undeniably, is one of the reasons people love the Gaineses. May our LORD strengthen you to hold the line.

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Some wondered how Christians could vote for Trump.  The simple fact is many Christians voted in self-defense.

They voted to stop the relentless, eight-year-long assault not just on their values, but on their ability to live their lives unmolested without having radical progressives attempt to force some newly invented ideology down their throat or hang some new “phobia” label around their necks or garnish their wages to pay for medical exterminators to suction tiny human beings into bloody slurry.

Most of these Christians are not activists. Most of them just want to be left alone.