Minneapolis Riots

As riots and burning of buildings sweep the land and as fears of a renewed outbreak of the Covid19 virus abound, I want to remind you of the word of the Lord –

“But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.” – Isa. 43:1

Now you might ask but, wasn’t this is a promise to Israel? To which I would answer, Yes, but remember our forefathers founded this country on the Biblical promises given to Israel. And Paul writes in the New Testament –

“Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” – Eph. 2:11-18

We were once aliens from the promises made to Israel but, Paul goes on to say –

“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,” – Eph. 2:19

Even though we were ‘wild olive branches’, we have been grafted in to the Olive root if we are in Christ Jesus. Therefore this promise made in Isaiah can be claimed by us as well. There is however, an ‘if’. And it is — if we are in Christ!

This nation’s blessings are not a result of race because we are made of many races. It’s freedoms are not the result of human intellect alone but of trusting in the word of God which says “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” It’s great wealth is not the result of human endeavor alone but of the word of God which says, “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”  In fact most of the blessings we have in this country are the result of having a good foundation –

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” – Declaration of Independence

Although we have not always lived up to this statement, it is a good foundation from which to grow and for over 200 years we have grown. And the Devil knows this. He also knows another truth –

“If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?” – Psalm 11:3

So, his strategy is to destroy those foundations – take down the Constitution, take down the Electoral College, take down the Biblical based Colleges and schools in the land, take down the laws of the land and those who enforce them. Take down the Republic and substitute Democratic Socialism which is just another name for Communism. Weaken the Church and rob it of it’s voice.

But, we, the Church, have been born for just such a time as this. Isaiah prophesied about our time –

“Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. “ – Isaiah 60:1, 2

No one can deny that darkness is covering the earth and deep darkness the people so, now is the time for the Church to Arise and put on the light of the Lord! What is this Light? It is the son of God – Jesus.

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend (overcome) it.” – John 1:4, 5

Baptism in the midst of Rioting in Minneapolis

Under the leading of the Holy Spirit, part of the Church is beginning to do just this. Christians are going into the midst of the protesters in Minneapolis and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, baptizing and making disciples.

So, the word of the Lord to the Church is “Don’t hide during the ‘lockdown’ but, Arise and Shine for your light has come!” Don’t hide your light under a bushel basket. Let this be the GREAT COMING OUT PARTY for the Christians!