We have all we need

1:10 p.m. Today's project was to attend our church's 9:45 a.m. service, in which an old friend and dynamic fighter for the rights of God's people, Brad Dacus, was speaking. Our pastor and his family were spending the weekend in San Diego for their son's wedding. Report was that Saturday night's event was very blessed!

II Peter 1:3 tells us that "[God's] divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness..." Brad, the founder of Pacific Justice Institute, fortified us with his message "Fully Equipped." He let us know that by the power of the Holy Spirit, guidance from God's word, and knowing that we may exercise our privileges as U.S. citizens, we can actively share our faith, hold gatherings in "secular" public places such as schools, and encourage others by recounting the great work Jesus has done in saving our souls.

From Acts 22:12-27, Brad shared the Apostle Paul's testimony, from his confrontation with the Risen Christ on the road to Damascus, his almost immediate baptism, to his launching into the persecution that followed him everywhere he preached. We were reminded that we will have trials, confrontations, and outright persecution for Jesus' sake, but we are not to be daunted or stopped from speaking in His Name! Jesus said in John 16:33, "In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world."

The operative words here are I have overcome the world. It is a done deal! As Jesus said on the cross, "It is finished." (John 19:30)

Our tiny part, which His Holy Spirit does for us and through us? We are to persevere, wherever a Christian witness is called for--anywhere we go, in other words--persevere, knowing that, as II Peter 1:3 says, we have "all we need for life and godliness."

As a Trustee on the Riverside Unified School District Board of Education for 3 terms, I truly had to depend on the power of God, constant reinforcement from His Word, and the prayers of godly citizens to change the direction of the schools. When first elected in 1992, teachers were being prevented from meeting for prayer on their lunch hour! The Rutherford Institue, of which Brad was a spokesman, sent me the law to expound to the superintendent. Teachers were indeed free to meet and pray on their lunch hour. Student Bible clubs were not given equal status with other lunchtime clubs; condoms were demonstrated on cucumbers; sex education was given to students grades 5-12 without parent permission. All of those issues were reversed by one person raised up by God to a position of public influence, first at the local level, and then as president of the California School Board Leadership caucus. Focus on the Family's Capitol Resource group and Brad Dacus helped me with position papers and legal advice, and he often was the keynote speaker for the conferences we held twice a year.

When God calls a believer to step forward, to speak His truth and persevere, He is the One who does the work--we seek Him in prayer, have confirmation from the Word and counsel from mature believers, and maintain constant prayer support, because it's not about me, or you!

IT'S ABOUT JESUS! and the souls He wants saved from hell and hateful, hellish conditions in the here and now. He wants to save us from death! "I came to give them life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)

I selected a picture I took the other day of our local City Council Chamber and City Hall, to remind you that the local authorities hold no fear for the believer! (Romans 13) In fact, God may be calling you, like He did me, to become an elected official yourself. Pray, gather your prayer warriors, get confirmation in the scriptures, and use the opportunity God gives you to stand up for Him.

Your obedience may save many generations from misery here and hellfire later!