First Liberty recently filed an amicus brief at the U.S. Supreme Court in Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond. The case concerns the Oklahoma Charter School Board’s approval of an online Catholic school. We filed the brief on behalf of the Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Department of Education, and the State Board of Education.

Genuine believers “have been given exceedingly great and precious promises…”However, let’s be clear about how we receive these promises. Our text tells us that by knowing God personally, through Jesus, His power works in our lives, giving us the ability to live a godly life. Within the intimacy of that relationship, He calls us higher, ever higher by His glory and virtue. Moreover, as we answer Him in a diligent pursuit, we are given “exceedingly great and precious promises that  through these you may be partakers of the divine nature.” 

Our despairing world knows so little of grace and mercy. The seeds of kindness often struggle to grow in the harsh soil of recrimination, retribution, and revenge. Being the beneficiaries of grace, should we not also be its benefactors? The fallen race of man yearns to find forgiveness, acceptance, and new life. It may not act like it, but it does, desperately.

Your vote matters!

The nation would eventually once again become the United States. But the path to reunion would be more difficult and filled with recriminations. Lincoln wanted the South restored. He never believed the confederate states had truly left the Union.

But believers who know Christ, understand that delight and faith are so blessedly united that the gates of hell cannot prevail to separate them. They who love God with all their hearts, find that His ways are ways of pleasantness, and all His paths are peace. Surrendered saints discover in their Lord such joys, such brimful delights and such overflowing blessings. Delighting in the Lord is a far cry from serving Him from obligation.

Participants in the online prayer event will include Mike Johnson, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; Dr. Jack Graham, Senior Pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church; Kelly Shackelford, CEO of First Liberty Institute; Dr. Michael Brown, author and host of The Line of Fire radio show; and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, U.S. Representative for Washington's 5th congressional district, among many other leaders…

I hear it all the time: “Bunni, how in the world can you be involved in that political world?” My own father felt that politics was inherently evil for years, but the Bible provides a perspective to help us understand our role in the world, emphasizing the power of us carrying love, justice and integrity as the hands and feet of Jesus. My testimony is that I have been involved in politics for over 20 years and I still love Jesus.

It is increasingly evident that the next generation must actively shape the political landscape and get involved — as soon as possible. Engaging Christian young people in our governmental process is not just wisdom; it is a moral imperative grounded in our faith. We must pass on what we know to those who follow us.

Living in a dual world means that we experience the temporal realm alongside the unseen spiritual world. However, the key to fully understanding the duality of our existence is being Spirit led rather than carnally minded. Believers are spiritual beings that possess an eternal soul, living in a temporal body. The wonderful mystery is that as a believer, you live in a dichotomy—you remain in the temporal world but the things of this world grow strangely dim. Through spiritual rebirth, you have gained dual citizenship status, where, through prayer, we bring these two worlds together, clashing one against the other.

Then, in 1864, while the blood still flowed across America’s fields, with no end in sight, a change appeared on the two-cent coin, ordered by the Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon P. Chase. It would be a new national motto. Simple but profound. Clear and incontrovertible, an unchanging and ancient belief that would supersede even this war.

It would be a declaration of hope. A summons to unity. While America’s original motto focused on man’s ability to create a united nation from human diversity, this new motto, expressed in plain English, anchored the nation’s confidence in divine sovereignty. It would appear on all coins.

Satan pulled back the curtain of deception, “and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.” He whispered in his ear. He hissed into his soul. “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” he said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please.” (Luke 4:5-6)

I’m powerful. You can be powerful too.

They liked that. They swallowed the deception of the serpent. And the hoary tentacles of sin, with its coming millennia of destruction and grief, bringing death in its wake, infected the human race. Jesus had no such intention. Instead, he invoked the Torah:

“The scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” (Luke 4:8) God first, always, and only—not power.

Jesus is the “heir of all things.” The boundless realms of His Father’s universe are Christ’s by absolute authority. He is the sole proprietor of the vast creation of God, and He has permitted His believers to claim it with Him as joint heirs. Believers are the bride of Christ, and by virtue, the Lord has ratified His covenant of heirship with His chosen people.

Navigating politically charged times can often feel overwhelming and disheartening. Disagreements are rampant, tensions run high, and it seems like negativity is everywhere.

Christians have a source of encouragement and strength that transcends the surrounding chaos. Don’t lose relationships with your family and friends over politics. Don’t lose heart through discouragement when things don’t look like they are going in your desired direction.

Average Joe, a movie dramatizing Coach Joe Kennedy’s life story, will be in a theater near you TODAY October 11th! Show your support for Coach Joe by going to the movies on opening weekend!

The movie recounts Coach Joe’s story, beginning with his childhood in foster care followed by 20 years in the Marine Corps. The film focuses on his biggest battle: his commitment to stand for God publicly by taking a knee in prayer after each game. When he was fired for living out his faith, Joe and his wife, Denise, soon knew this battle for religious freedom and the rights of all Americans was one they would have to fight.

As I’ve traveled across the nation this year, I’ve had many opportunities to share about my work mobilizing Christians to engage in the political process. What continues to surprise me, however, is that many believers tell me they do not plan to vote because their vote “doesn’t matter.”

Some tell me, “I already know who is going to win in my state.” Others claim, “I don’t know any of the people on the ballot. I wouldn’t even know who to vote for.” Still others tell me that it doesn’t matter who gets elected, because the problems will still be the same.

Regardless of our opinions, it’s important to look at what God’s Word states about the importance of being involved in our communities.

God’s Word assures us of His love. We also know that His love toward us is immeasurable. Even so, as fallible humans, we often question His love. In the natural realm, when we question something, we reveal our uncertainties or reveal our fear of the unknown. However, when we question God and His ways, are we perhaps questioning His love for us? Our text tells us “we can know” we are loved because “He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.” His abiding presence demonstrates His love toward us that is so pure He is beyond question. 

First Liberty announced the launch of a television and digital ad blitz as part of a $2 million campaign to educate Americans on the dangers of current court “reform” proposals. The campaign includes a challenge for all candidates for office to make clear where they stand on court-packing and other proposed changes to the Supreme Court and the judiciary.

The wonder of being “born from above,” is a matter so mysterious that human words cannot describe it. 1 Corinthians 2:7, 8-10 tells us, “No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God— His plan (of Salvation) that was previously hidden, even though He made it for our ultimate glory before the world began.” That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But it was to us that God revealed these things by His Spirit.”