Thoughts on Affairs of State
April 2010

While we are not in a position to know any more of God’s ways than what He reveals in His word, we can learn from the Bible certain truths which apply to all situations. First, He has promised His presence and grace at all times. Second, He has not promised to exempt us from trials and troubles in this life. Third, the evil ways of man bring trouble upon families and nations, and these troubles affect the righteous as well as the wicked.

We have always refrained from political involvement and have always ignored those who claim to be prophets. No one living knows the future of America, beyond the general truths of scripture which can be applied to all nations. I have been told by well-meaning saints that there will never be another election in the U.S. I was told that in 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008. I was told that both Bushes, and a Clinton were the end of all our freedoms. I was told about Y2K and, well, you get the picture. It was all nonsense from false prophets (which did not cost them followers).

It is obvious that things are changing rapidly in our nation but they are not changing direction. The ungodly and unscriptural path we have been traveling has simply grown steeper and our decent appears to have grown more rapid. What are we to do?

First: Admit that when Christians stopped trying to win souls and became involved in politics (1980 forward) that instead of turning the country back to God they hastened its ruin. If you are getting people to vote conservative instead of getting them saved, you are destroying the future of your land. Second: Repent of thinking that more political involvement is going to save our nation. More souls being saved, will result in more people doing what is right, which will be the only hope of saving this or any land from destruction. Third: Get as interested in your Bible as you are in political web sites. Get as interested in preachers as you are in commentators. Get more worried about the fires of hell than the speeches of our president.

That having been said, our people are really hurting because of the current economic downturn. Many, many of our brothers and sisters need steady work. Please pray fervently for their employment. The residual effect of this circumstance is that most churches are really hurting financially. Thank the Lord we have followed a debt-free path. This means that though our offerings are way down from just a year ago, we have not had to cut any funding to our missionaries or drop any outreach for Jesus. But times may get worse. Brothers and sisters, we must learn to pray, we must learn to live humbly rather than lustfully, and those in debt must get out as quickly as possible. This goes for churches as well as individuals.

I too would like to see America become a great, godly, Christian land. But unsaved politicians are not going to accomplish that – only saved people winning others to Jesus could ever bring about the results for which we hope.

Here is a verse that has been mis-quoted a million times in reference to the USA. 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Here is the verse which matches it, that is seldom, if ever, heard. Jeremiah 23:21-22 I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.

Let us break free of politics and devote ourselves once again to the Lord Jesus Christ and the conversion of sinners. That is the work God has given to His church.

Brother James

A Guided Tour

Let's take a quick look at the different sections of this web site to see what's here:

Sermons - Hear expository preaching from a Bible-believer which magnifies the Lord Jesus Christ. We post the current sermons preached each week at THE BIBLE Baptist Church by pastor James W. Knox. Brother James takes you through an entire book verse by verse or through a topic looking at every Bible reference. These are audio files in MP3 format. Sermon series generally remain on the site for several weeks following the end of the series. Older series are available from our store.

Women's Bible Study - This is the Holy Women book written by James W. Knox. All lessons are true to the King James Version and will help ladies of all ages to draw nearer to the Saviour. It is available here in Adobe Acrobat PDF format.

Radio Broadcast - Here you will find the stations and schedules for The Preaching of The Cross radio program. This is one of the last daily broadcasts to which Bible believers can listen with confidence as we never alter the word of the Lord and always give the glory to Jesus Christ.

Speaking Schedule - Brother James travels often to speak at different churches around the country. Check here to see if he is speaking for the Lord Jesus at a location near you.

THE BIBLE Baptist Church - This is where you'll find information about THE BIBLE Baptist Church of DeLand - the church founded by James W. Knox in 1987. You will find our statement of doctrine, our position on the KJV, our fidelity to the true Jesus, service times and maps with directions to the church.

Missions - We support Bible-believing missionaries who proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world as well as here in America. Be sure to read about and pray for these men and women who give so much to bring the gospel to a lost and dying world.

The Road to Sierra Leone - Stephen and Laura Holt take you along on their journey from a couple living in New England, to Bible School in DeLand, FL, through the deputation process, and then to the mission field in the war-torn West African nation of Sierra Leone. If you've ever wondered what it's like to be a missionary, this is the place to go.

DeLand School of THE BIBLE - This is a ministry of THE BIBLE Baptist Church of DeLand. You will find that it is a Bible School unlike any other.

Book, CD, and Tape Store - If you would like to order books or tapes by Brother James, this is where to go. You can use your credit card to place an order. Requests for free materials are handled by mail only, so please use the audio catalog and the book catalog for those orders.

Audio Catalog and Book Catalog - If you prefer to order by mail, or are requesting materials at no cost, this is where to go.

Materials in language other than English –Many of the books authored by James W. Knox have been translated into other tongues. The full text of these translations is available for your use and edification. Books are currently available in Russian, Romanian, Croatian, Ukrainian, and Spanish. A Bible study course is available in French, Spanish, and Telugu.

About this web site - This is the who, what, when, where, why, and how of this web site. It includes the links policy and copyright information.