Jul 09

What This Next Election is Really About

There is much to-do about the Kamal Harris-Tim Walz ticket and the Donald Trump-J.D. Vance ticket as we look forward to this next election, but there is a greater dynamic at play than these four personalities. There is the governing philosophy they represent. There has never been such a difference between the two political parties, even considering the time when their differences sparked a Civil War.

The Democrat Party advances the idea that government has the solution to all our problems. Very much like a typical business enterprise, they seek to grow “the business of government” by growing their customer base to increase their ability to exert power. They offer the promise of security, but fail to tell you that the cost will be freedom. It is, as Ben Franklin taught us, those who would give up liberty for security will deserve neither. The logical end of that governing philosophy will be total government control for the empty promise of total security. History calls that communism. A study of world history teaches us that the result is  a society where a few elite become very wealthy while the masses endure poverty–equally!  If there was ever any question about this being the Democrat driving force, all one has to do is to look at Kamala’s Vice President pick-an avowed Socialist with a demonstrated allegiance to the Chinese Communist  Party.

On the other hand, the Republican Party recognizes that, as Ronald Reagan told us, government doesn’t fix the problem; government is the problem. The Republican philosophy of government promotes increased liberty and minimal government control. Thomas Jefferson told us that,

“…a wise and frugal government which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them free otherwise to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.”

In other words, the Republican governing philosophy is to promote and safeguard the freedom for citizens to fulfill their potential and achieve their highest goals with protection from the government, but not control. This is Capitalism.

In all fairness, both governing philosophies lead to failure when corruption runs rampant. The strong will always take advantage of the weak, and that is why the best system, the one that has produced the greatest, most prosperous and most free society in world history is Capitalism when practiced by people with a Judeo-Christian ethic, people who will do to others only as they would have them do to them, and will have a sense of obligation to take care of the poor and needy, and the less advantaged.

And so, it is not enough to advocate for Capitalism, if we do not also advocate for a Biblical worldview that puts all on trial for how we relate to one another. Our national mottos, “In God We Trust,” and “One Nation Under God” must become, once again, the north star of our public policy debates and actions. That is how we make “America Great Again.”

If America chooses the Democrat platform we will see the end of prosperity and liberty. If America chooses the Republican platform, that will provide the opportunity to continue to build that “more perfect union.” Be informed; vote your conscience. Know what’s at stake.

Apr 24

No More Equivocation!

Rev. Bill Banuchi

“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,… whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amornti-Aites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”—Joshua 24:15

The chaos currently seen on American Universities, fueled by anti-Americanism is yet one more manifestation of the clear polarization of our politics. This is not a polarization of our nation, but rather a polarization of political and governmental leaders, and it must be called out for what it is—good vs. evil.

The American left—not liberals, but leftists—are driven by demonic powers, and those under its influence are either consciously, or unconsciously, being controlled by a demonic puppet master whose mission is to destroy our democratic republic, and replace it with its own authoritarian control. Most of the young people seen demonstrating in defense of Hamas’s barbarism have absolutely no clue about who is pulling their strings. Like the western sympathizers of the Bolshevik revolution that brought Lenin into power they have become “useful idiots,” useful to the cause, because they unwittingly promote a demonically-driven agenda without understanding the dire consequences of their actions. They demonstrate to eliminate the very freedoms they exercise. Go figure. They want to cut off the very branch they sit on. They would be pitied if they weren’t so dangerous to the cause of liberty.

There can be no more equivocation by Americans who believe there is a God in Heaven who governs in the affairs of men and nations. It’s a binary choice: Good vs. Evil; God vs. Satan! Christians who have any understanding of the Bible know that this is not a political issue, but rather a spiritual one. Satan has always risen up to attempt to dethrone the God of the universe. What we see going on in our nation is simply the latest manifestation of that same satanic aggression that would bring America under demonic control like most of the nations of the world. We would no longer be an “exceptional” nation, but just one more among the many where liberty, peace and prosperity is just a pipedream.

Unfortunately, the Democrat Party has succumbed to that demonic control. It must be defeated or we will lose this nation. This is not exaggeration. The peace and prosperity we enjoy in this nation is the exception, not the rule. Those who protest American values take those values for granted, leaving them open to brainwashing—rather brain-polluting. If they succeed they will find friendship in hell with those French revolutionaries who found themselves victims of their own guillotines. Today’s college students should be learning from world history, not repeating it.

Regardless of what one may think of Donald Trump’s personality, he is the man who I believe God is using to bring our nation back to Him and preserving us for yet another generation. It is a binary choice—Good or evil.  Every pastor and Christian leader must teach and encourage those under their tutelage to pray for Donald Trump, and do all they can to elect him in November for our next President. If we fail, God will hold us accountable; so will our children and our grandchildren who will curse us for losing the gift of liberty that our parents passed on to us. Let it never be!

 

Jan 29

LET’S WIN THE DEBATE – ABORTION IS CHILD-SACRIFICE

A Case for Reclaiming the Language

Here we are in 2024 preparing for the most consequential presidential election of our lifetime, and ungodly Democrats are actually planning on using abortion as one of the issues they believe will help them win the presidency. How far have we fallen as a nation that abortion—the killing of an innocent human baby—can actually be thought of as a selling point for a major political party! More importantly, how can we win the argument to preserve the sanctity of life for the benefit of our posterity and the preservation of the blessings of liberty? Nothing less than the choice between liberty and tyranny hangs in the balance.

We must reclaim the language. Whoever defines the terms will win the argument. We have allowed the left to define the argument as one over “abortion.” The word, “abortion” speaks of the rights of the woman, and no one wants to deny women of their “reproductive rights”; that’s understandable, but it says nothing of the rights of the child in the womb. If we’re going to win the argument for the hearts and minds of Americans, we have to change the language to focus on the life and the rights of the baby in the womb. We must call it for what it is: “child-sacrifice.” That is not hyperbole or exaggeration. It is, in fact, what abortion is; it is the sacrificing of a baby for the “choice” of another. We must change the subject of the debate from the woman to the baby. In the present debate over abortion, the happiness of the woman is preferred over the life of the baby. Most reasonable Americans will agree, that ought not to be the case. We can win that argument. Child sacrifice must be unacceptable in modern-day America.

It will take bold public leaders to change the terms of the debate. Yes, the left will push back, but we must be firm knowing that truth is on our side. It is, in fact, the sacrifice of a child for the choice of another. No longer should we use the word, “abortion,” but rather use the term describing what it is: “child-sacrifice.” We will win that debate.

Let’s win the debate. For the benefit of the yet unborn, the continued greatness of our nation, and ultimately, for the glory of God!

Jan 05

Word for 2024

First, a recap of 2023 – In short, it was a year of sifting; of separating the wheat from the chaff, identifying the real warriors, while exposing the cowardly pretenders who name the Name, but will not count the cost of discipleship.
John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus at his first coming and that same spirit is here today to prepare the way for His second coming. In Matthew 3:11 he told us,

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with[c] the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

And in Hebrews 4:12 we read,
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

You see, the word of God separates the wheat from the chaff, the Soul and the Spirit.
This illustrates what I call a “threshold of carnality,” that point at which one crosses from the spiritual, and responds or reacts in the natural. When I began pastoral ministry many years ago, I was part of a liberal denomination where there was a very low threshold of carnality. Almost everything was done in the natural. When God promoted me to a pentecostal fellowship, I found the threshold of carnality was much higher. Much more was operating by the Spirit, but there was still a threshold, a point at which they would leave the Spirit and act in the flesh.

The apostle Paul warned the Galatian believers about beginning in the Spirit and yet falling to the flesh, preferring human reason above the Word and Spirit of God.

When the Bible talks about separating the joint and marrow it speaks of relationships where people, like bones, come together. What keeps us together is the marrow of our relationships, and that ought to be the very blood of Jesus.
Marrow produces red blood cells to carry oxygen to bring life to the Body, as well as white cells to fight off infection calling out error and corruption in the Church, and ultimately, it produces platelets to stop the bleeding, and facilitate healing. These same characteristics should describe our relationships in the Church. Our relationships must be founded upon the blood of Jesus, and not some mutual use agreement that serves nothing more than personal interest. We must be kingdom-minded.

The Word of God judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Men judge by outside appearances. I find it interesting that we tend to judge others by their actions, but we judge ourselves by our intentions, and of course, we never intend to sin, do we? But I digress…

Yes, in 2023 we saw much separating wheat from chaff, and much of it was disappointing, but nevertheless it was necessary to bring things into the light where we have true fellowship. You know, when the tube is squeezed what’s inside comes out. In 2023 the tube was squeezed, and we saw what came out. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was necessary to bring it into the light where the blood of Jesus cleanses us of all sin and we have fellowship-genuine fellowship-one with another.
And alas! God’s not finished.

Now Looking forward to 2024. Here are the bullet points:

• Pursue Integrity,
• Seek Unity,
• Advance the Kingdom

1 – Pursue Integrity, personal, holiness, virtue. Give Satan no cause for accusation.
We must make “virtue” cool again. If we’re going to run the race in 24, we must throw off the sin that so easily entangles, paralyzes and cause us to shrink back from the battle because of our own insecurity, caused by the self-awareness of our continual sin and our refusal to repent. Remember, John the Baptist baptized with water, but only Jesus can baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire to burn away everything that displeases the Father and gives Satan cause to accuse you before the throne. If you are not yet baptized in the Spirit you will need it in the New Year.

2 –Establish Unity – Seek fellowship with other Christians of other churches, and expressions of the faith. I find it interesting that pastors who swear to never get political, often will only fellowship with pastors of their own denomination or expression of faith. That, my friend, is the very essence of being political, and Paul counts it among the other sins of our sinful nature like sexual immorality, idolatry, witchcraft, and so on. Christian leaders who refuse to build relationships with other Christian leaders in their community are leading the present-day apostasy, falling away from the pure doctrines of the Gospel. Christians must not isolate. The love of God is a compelling force to bring believers together in the Name of Jesus. Where brethren dwell together, there is where the blessing and the power of the Lord is to be found. Living waters can only flow where there are channels of relationship. Pastors must lead the way.

3- Advance the Kingdom
Get involved in local politics and government.
“Where the righteous rule the people rejoice; where the wicked rule the people groan.” (Prov. 29:2). There is too much groaning in our nation.

The prophet Amos warns us about becoming complacent in Zion lest we experience the same judgment that came upon God’s chosen people. They lost their nation!

In Matthew. 16:18 Jesus tells Peter, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
The gates of Hades are stationary, the status quo of this world. It’s up to the Church, the Ekklesia, to advance to take back dominion of this earth entrusted to us.

“And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.” –Matthew 11:12:

If you’re not being attacked, or at least encountering resistance, I would question whether or not you’re even in the fight. But know this, our weapons are not the weapons of this world; No, it is perfect love that drives out all fear (1 John 4:18) It is God’s perfect love that wins the day. It’s by the love that we have for one another that the world will know we are His disciples. It is in that love that your children will see Jesus.
So get involved in local politics and government. Be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, not the salt in the Church and the light in your prayer closet. Make a difference.
Where the righteous rule the people rejoice; where the wicked rule the people groan. (Prov. 29:2). Let’s see the groaning turn to rejoicing.

So, to recap: 1) Pursue integrity, 2) Seek Unity 3)Advance the Kingdom

Will I see America saved? I don’t know. This I do know: Duty is mine; results are God’s. Let’s do our duty In 2024 for the benefit of our posterity and the glory of God.

Please spread this word however you can, and I can be of further help don’t hesitate to call.

Oct 12

RECOGNIZING EVIL IN OUR TIME

The horrific events currently occurring in Israel are a clear example of the reality of evil in the world. The Bible tells us that it is Satan who comes to steal, kill and destroy. Wherever you see theft, murder and destruction you can know what spirit is controlling the hearts and minds of those who perpetrate such horrendous actions. The rational mind would find it difficult to think of any reason why one would resort to such horrific actions against other human beings. To understand such evil, one must look beyond the rational, beyond the natural, but into the supernatural, from where most of human activity emanates. There are two driving forces in this natural world: the force of good which derives from God, and the force of evil which derives from Satan. There are no other.  So when one sees goodness, kindness, generosity, self-sacrifice and such it, derives from God, whether the individual knows Him or not. This is what theologians call common grace; that is God’s goodness shed abroad on people, even those who don’t know or acknowledge Him, personally. On the other hand, when you see atrocities, murders, violence, thievery and such, it derives from Satan and is executed through demons, who are in effect, evil angels. Satan and his demon minions always operate in darkness remaining hidden from even those under their control, lies being their primary weapon. Many of those under this demonic control fall to the delusion that they are their own master. They fail to realize that an invisible someone is actually pulling their strings. As Bob Dylan reminded us,

“You’re going to have to serve somebody.

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re going to have to serve somebody”

What’s important for us to understand is that demonic spirits have limited control of our natural world. Satan was cast down to the earth with one third of the heavenly hosts, and He roams about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, (Rev. 12:9, 1 Peter 5:8).  Demonic control is the natural atmosphere and power at work in this world in the lives of most people whether they realize it or not. Am I saying that people are possessed by Satan? I will not quibble over the meaning of the word, “possession,” but I will posit that without God, people are influenced to one degree or another, by demonic powers. Whether Satan is actually in someone, on someone or around someone, is not visually discernable, so let’s just call it “demonization” in one degree or another.

Just as individuals can be demonized in varying degrees, so can nations made up of those people. A simple survey of world cultures will show that the more the acknowledgement of God is absent from a culture the more demonic activity will be evident. The spiritual realm abhors a vacuum. This results in what may be called “goat nations,” that are mostly under the influence of godless, pagan and demonic powers. Sheep nations are those that still acknowledge God and Biblical values in their systems and institutions.

So, we see that the controlling demonic spirits that commit atrocities around the world are the very same spirits we see controlling the American left that advances such pagan and demonic rituals as child sacrifice, that is abortion, sexual immorality, lawlessness, and increasing authoritarian control.

As Christians engaged in spiritual warfare we must understand that there are only two forces at work in this world, and we must pray and act in such a way as to advance the forces and power of God upon a world, presently occupied by Satan and his demons. That’s precisely why Adam was given the charge to “rule over” or to take dominion over the natural world (Gen. 2:28). We all know that the first Adam failed in this mission, and so the second Adam came, Jesus Christ, to accomplish that mission through his Church, for he has given to his Church the authority to tread up serpents and all the powers of the enemy, until the enemy is made his footstool, (Luke 10:19, Hebrews 10:13).

Our spiritual warfare must be directed toward those demonic forces causing a living hell in the Holy Land today, with an understanding that it is the very same spirit that is energizing the American left. It must be defeated here as well as in Israel.  We must pray like it all depends on God and work like it all depends on us, because “Everybody’s gotta serve somebody.”

Aug 08

Disappointed with Pence

Disappointed with Pence

One would hope that Christians like Mike Pence (and Ron DeSantis, for that matter) would have the spiritual maturity to see what God is doing in the life of our nation and the 2024 presidential campaign, but it seems like their vision has been obscured by either spiritual immaturity or personal ambition, or perhaps, a combination of both.

At the risk of sounding simplistic, let me posit that this presidential election will be a fight between God and Satan. Each one is represented by a human host, namely Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Each one is commanding an army of spiritual agents vying for control of this nation. A spiritually mature Christian would be able to see what’s going on in the spiritual realm, and would be willing to forego any personal agenda in order to support the advancement of God’s agenda. It is as President Lincoln told a reporter when asked if he was concerned about God being on the side of the Union. His answer expressed that his concern was not whose side God was on, but the he would be on God’s side.

Whether one likes Trumps’ personality or not, it’s plain to any clear-headed American that he has had God’s favor, because he has acknowledged God openly and publicly, and has worked effectively to advance God’s agenda in our nation.

The threshold of carnality is that point at which one leaves their spiritual guidance and gives in to their own natural ambition. I believe both Pence and DeSantis have made that transgression. I like both men, but I’m sadly disappointed that they are not doing all they can to support President Trump, who is –at least, for now—the man anointed to help bring our nation back to Him. In fact, the tone of Pence’s latest remarks suggests to me that he may have fallen to the dark side. We must all continue to pray like it all depends on God–because it does—and work like it all depends on us, because it does that also. We place our trust in no man, but in God.