There is a gospel song of a few years ago that uses the melody of a Kenny Rogers song.  The song is “I Have Decided” and it is based familiar because of the country song, “The Gambler.”  Amy Grant’s rendition and that of others inspired me greatly and although some of the lyrics might seem problematic to some, there is an incredible truth embodied in that song.

Recently, I heard the Holy Spirit speak to my heart of hearts and impress upon me that I was to make a choice about how I was going to live.  The question in my heart was, “Are you going to live like a believer or are you going to live in turmoil and fear?”  I thought, “LORD, that is no option, of course, I want to live like a believer.”  The next thought that came to my mind and my heart was, “I know you want to live that way, but will you?”  That is a dramatically different question.  One only requires desire and the other commitment.

The song begins, “I have decided, I’m gonna live like a believer, turn my back on the deceiver, I’m gonna live what I believe.”  The second verse is one that causes some Christians pause.  It says, “I have decided, being good is just a fable, I just can’t ‘cause I’m not able.  I’m gonna leave it to the Lord.”  I sang that song once and had a member of the church tell me that it was scripturally inaccurate and that we could be good.  He insisted that we are to ‘work out our own salvation and determine by our will-power to live godly.’  I don’t disagree but I also have learned that it is Christ in me, and He lives His life through me rather than me exercising will-power and achieving holiness.  I am His and totally dependent upon Him.

This article was not intended to be a theological discussion but an expression of a decision of my heart as an American, a Christian, a Patriot, and a Lover of Freedom.  But, as I have stated on many occasions, I cannot divest what I believe and my faith from every other aspect of my life.  IT IS MY LIFE! 

America is in a terrible state and the ominous cloud of destruction is hanging over this nation like never before witnessed in my lifetime.  Hate has so permeated our society and culture, politics, and interpersonal and interracial relations War is virtually unavoidable.  Over the past few years, we have made a few strides forward only to take several strides backward as politicians attempt to manipulate the people and conditions for their own ambitions.  We are being destroyed and, for the first time in my lifetime, I can see the possibility of the demise of our Republic.  That is deeply troubling for me.

I have decided to live like a believer and turn my back on the deceiver and live what I believe.  I have decided that I will ‘seek first’ the Kingdom of God and His righteousness above and before everything else.  Each of us has the choice to live in fear and allow the turmoil of our world to cause us to live in paranoia and panic or we can choose to live what we believe. 

As many know, my wife has been in a 3 plus year battle with Stage Four Metastatic Breast Cancer that has spread to the liver as well as the bones.  Her pain level has been off the charts from time to time yet we are confident in the Promises of God, His Word, and Grace. 

I am often tempted to abandon my perch on the Wall of Watching for America and the Church and focus solely on her and her needs, but I keep being drawn back by the conviction that I must not allow evil to win.  The destruction would be so catastrophic, and the loss of lives and souls would be impossible for me to defend my stepping back.  Freedom is never Free nor is it Easy to Obtain or Maintain.  It requires investment and involvement.

However, I can say that I have decided that I will live in Faith and Confidence in God.  Our world has become volatile and dangerous.  It is filled with violence, hate, selfishness, and is being divided into sects, groups, and camps alarmingly and dangerously.  That is not surprising for the Bible predicted that thousands of years ago and we are witnessing the fulfillment of biblical prophecies and warnings.  Reading portions of the Bible is like reading the paper or watching the news. 

I have been praying that the LORD will help me develop a mentality, commitment, and confidence that I can be as the three Hebrew Children in Babylon.  In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego responded to the edict of Nebuchadnezzar that they bow before his image and worship him in a manner that guaranteed their death.  They said, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter.  If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.  But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image you have set up.” 

The political climate in America is rapidly becoming one in which those who oppose the politically correct view and agenda are deemed expendable, deplorable, and unworthy of living. 

I find it difficult to comprehend how Christians, those who love America and our Freedom and claim to respect and honor the Constitution could allow the Liberal Left to regain power.  The track record of those politicians and ideologues makes it impossible to miss the objective of TOTAL CONTROL desired.  They do not view our Constitutional Rights as granted by God but by the government.  Therefore, they believe they are the arbiters of rights and can decide what rights we can have and what rights we cannot.  That is anathema to my view of America and my faith.

Will I stop speaking out and sounding the alarm on things I see happening and their dangers?  NO!  Will I pull back and go into hiding in paranoia and fear?  NO!  Will I panic if the Left regains control of the government?  NO!  Will I resist the tyranny even and face the probable persecution and possible imprisonment or execution?  THAT IS MY PRAYER and DESIRE.  That is what I have decided.  I have decided to Live FREE!  Free in my mind and free in my heart!  I may be stripped of my freedom physically, but no chain can imprison my mind and heart if I totally trust God and Live What I Believe.

I won’t attempt to detail why the Democrats are the opposite of the principles of both the Bible and our American founding, but I believe the national agenda is.  As a believer, I could never vote for a candidate that supports the destruction of the unborn.  I could never vote for a candidate that wants to strip me of my inalienable rights of Freedom of Speech, Religion, Thought, and my right to protect myself and my family.  I could never vote for a candidate that wants to destroy the sovereignty of the United States of America and allow the free ingress and egress of people regardless of origin and intent.  I could never vote for a candidate that wants to tax me into oblivion and impose total control over my life.  I AM A FREE MAN and those things are contradictory to my freedom and my faith.

You must decide what you are going to do, but as I pull back from time to time to minister to my wife, I am not abandoning the fight only redirecting my focus temporarily.  If I fail to speak on an issue it is because the check-in my heart is that I am to leave it in the hands of God and allow Him to do what He does best without my interference.  If I speak it is because I see danger and feel compelled to sound the alarm.  I Love America and I Love God.   Vote your conscience and determine that Fear will not overpower you, but Faith will prevail in your hearts!

God bless you and God bless America!