Feb 26

Should We Assist Ukraine?

SHOULD WE DEFEND UKRAINE?  TO WHAT EXTENT?

Rev. Bill Banuchi

Should we defend Ukraine?  To what extent? This question has been rolling around in my mind since Russia first amassed troops at the Ukrainian border, and now, with the actual invasion, and the devastation and suffering we see on TV every day, it cries out for an answer.  What does the Bible say? How should we apply it to the current crisis?

Let’s first establish some basic facts.

First, there is still evil in the world. Evolution apparently didn’t lead Vladimir Putin to a higher plane of morality and decency. Human nature has not, and does not change. That’s why Jesus told us that in the last days there would still be wars and rumors of wars. Putin is, in fact, the personification of evil. Jesus taught us that it is, in fact, Satan who comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). That is exactly what Putin is doing. If evolution was a fact you would think that after thousands of years of human evolution man would have learned to live in peace and harmony with his neighbors. Unfortunately, such is not the case.

Secondly, the evil desire for world conquest still lurks in the hearts of demonized leaders who are the natural manifestation of Lucifer’s continuing rebellion against God. Could it be that an alliance of leaders like Putin, Xi Jinping of China, and perhaps the mullahs of Iran and Kim Jong-un of North Korea might be convinced to unite against the forces of liberty that represent a threat to their tyrannical control of people?

Liberty must be defended wherever it is threatened, or human nature will take its natural course to consolidate power. Freedom is not natural; it is supernatural, and can only thrive where people are willing to govern themselves. The natural state of humanity is authoritarian control. Survey world systems and you will see ample evidence of this truth.

The United States is not immune to conquest. Don’t think it can’t happen here. Ukrainians didn’t think it would happen to them. The Israelites didn’t think it would happen to them, but it did. The historical record reports that Babylonians conquered Israel about six hundred years before Christ, and the nation ceased to exist until 1948 when it experienced a rebirth. The Bible tells us that these things happened to be an example to us, to warn us to never become so complacent that we take our liberty for granted. Thomas Jefferson warned us that, “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty”.

So the question is, “Should we be helping Ukraine guard their liberty, and if so, to what extent?”

Perhaps we should resurrect the Truman Doctrine issued in 1947

On March 12, 1947, President Harry Truman went before Congress to request $400 million to help Greece and Turkey resist Communist-led rebels bent on overthrowing their governments. The president laid out a policy that became known as the Truman Doctrine – a pledge that the United States would help nations struggling to resist anti-democratic forces. Truman’s words still resonate, and are still important:

“At the present moment in world history nearly every nation must choose between alternative ways of life. The choice is too often not a free one….

One way of life is based upon the will of the majority, and is distinguished by free institutions, representative government, free elections, guarantees of individual liberty, freedom of speech and religion, and freedom from political oppression.

The second way of life is based upon the will of a minority forcibly imposed upon the majority. It relies upon terror and oppression, a controlled press and radio, fixed elections, and the suppression of personal freedoms.

I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures. . . .

The free peoples of the world look to us for support in maintaining their freedoms.

If we falter in our leadership, we may endanger the peace of the world – and we shall surely endanger the welfare of our own nation.”

Yes, Truman was a Republican, but remember also what this Democrat President intended to say in this speech. Unfortunately, he was assassinated before he got a chance to deliver these words, but nevertheless, they still speak to us today. JFK said,

“We in this country, in this generation, are-by destiny rather than choice-the watchmen on the walls of world freedom. We ask, therefore, that we may be worthy of our power and responsibility, that we may exercise our strength with wisdom and restraint…, Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”

So then, should we support free peoples who are resisting subjugation by authoritarian dictators? What does it mean to pay any price to assure the survival and the success of liberty?

Can it be that a threat to liberty anywhere is a threat to liberty everywhere? I believe so. In the same way our American Revolution spawned a series of revolutions throughout the western world, I believe it’s possible for such a trend to also work in the reverse. When tyranny finds success in the conquest of liberty it becomes emboldened, and the contagion emboldens other authoritarian tyrants to consider expanding their rule like a deadly cancer. Consider China and Taiwan.

What does the Bible say about that? Actually, it’s pretty clear:

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”—Matthew 7:12

”You shall Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”—Luke 10:27

It is my firm belief that we must give ourselves to defending the cause of liberty, trusting the outcome to God who reigns above all and determines the destinies of nations. Obedience is ours; results are God’s.

 

 

 

Nov 08

IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES

Before I responded to the call to the ministry I was successfully developing a career in mechanical design and engineering. One might think that would be totally inconsistent with a calling based on faith. After all, isn’t faith the opposite of engineering and science?

What I’ve learned over the years is that my background in science and engineering has actually helped to bolster my faith. The more I study Biblical principles and see how science actually supports the Biblical narrative the more assured I am that “Thy Word is Truth.”

In the same way God’s Word is verified by experience, we have learned much practical lessons from our marriage counseling practice. We have learned that there are very few issues that can be categorized as irreconcilable differences. Most of even the most difficult issues can be resolved when both parties are committed to the common goal of seeking God’s will for their lives. There has been one issue, however, that has truly been a real irreconcilable difference. That is when one is a believer and the other is not. Unless the unbeliever chooses to genuinely pursue a spiritual transformation, the two individuals see the world through different lenses and have different frames of reference.  Even the words they use mean different things. They pursue different goals. They are a house divided, and Jesus taught us plainly that a house divided cannot stand, (Mark 3:25).

Throughout our history America has overcome times of trial and difficult challenges that would have destroyed any other country. The fact that we have been under one Constitution for more than 230 years is an anomaly in the history of the world. The reason we have overcome all these challenges that would have destroyed any other nation is because despite our differences, the general population has been committed to the common proposition that we are “One Nation Under God.”

Even during the horrendous Civil War, and the years of instability following, both sides were committed to the God of the Bible and were guided by their imperfect understanding of His will for a nation. There was a common standard of honor, of good and of evil. There was a recognition of restraint and respect for one another created in the image of God that superseded political divisions.

For the first time in the history of our nation this is no longer true. For the first time an entire segment of our population does not recognize the God of the Bible as the ultimate authority. They have replaced God with their own sense of right and wrong. They have, in fact, taken the place of God and their opinions have replaced the truth of the Bible.

For the first time in American history our differences are projections of two different worldviews. The “Left” rejects the idea of a sovereign God to whom we must all be accountable. The “Right” still believes there is an authority higher than man, and a fixed law stated in the Bible.

This cleavage, unfortunately, will prove to be one of those irreconcilable differences that will prevent the restoration of national unity and may very well cause a tear in our nation never before seen, even since our very founding.  We may never again be “One Nation Under God.”

There can be only one of two ends to our American story.

If the “Left” prevails, we will see a modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah where people will be driven by their carnal impulses. As the Scriptures warn us, good will be called evil and evil called good. As Lincoln warned us in his address to the Young Men’s Lyceum in 1838, we will die by national suicide.

If the “right” prevails it will only be because the remnant of Spirit-filled Christians have gotten on their   knees to fulfill the formula for revival God gave us in 2 Chronicles 7:14.

That will only happen when Christian leaders take their rightful place at the head of the columns to lead the Church in an appeal to Heaven until we see the manifest glory of God tearing down demonic strongholds, and transforming hearts and renewing minds.

This is not speculation; it is certainly no mystery. We have the historical record of Israel to illustrate what happens to a nation when it rejects the sovereign rule of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We have no excuse. Unlike Israel, we have history to be our teacher. We have no excuse. How foolish, and ignorant it would be to know history and repeat it anyway.

One of our greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln, warned us when he said,

“It is the duty nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, and to recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proved by all of history that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.”

If we are to avoid the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah it will be up to the Church to rise up out of its complacency to lead the way back to God.

Judgment begins in the house of God, and that begins with the clergy. The clergy must rise up out of their comfort zones and begin leading their people to engage the culture to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. It’s no longer acceptable to be the salt in the church and the light in the prayer closet. The Kingdom of God must forcefully advance, rather than passively submitting (Matthew 11:12).

The future of America and the stewardship of liberty is in the hands of the Church. If the Church does not rise up there will be a national divorce. What exactly that will look like, I dare not anticipate, but as has been said, “There’s no such thing as a good divorce.”

We don’t have the power to make things change; God has the power. But God doesn’t have the choice to make the change; we have the choice. It’s a cooperative effort, our choice and God’s power.

Irreconcilable differences? It would take a miracle to overcome. We believe in miracles. With God all things are possible!

Jan 26

MIGHT MAKES RIGHT?

NEW GOVERNING PHILOSOPHY: ”MIGHT MAKES RIGHT”
Rev. Bill Banuchi

Since Joe Biden assumed the office of the presidency and the Democrats took a working majority in the Senate they wasted no time displaying their new governing philosophy: “Might Makes Right.”

One only has to look at the Democrats’ move to impeach Donald Trump and conduct a trial in the Senate even though it is unconstitutional on at least two clearly defined points: First, he is already out of office, and therefore the Senate has no jurisdiction over a civilian. Secondly, the Constitution explicitly calls for the Senate trial to be presided by the Chief Justice. Since Chief Justice Roberts has refused to preside over such a trial that should be the end of it. The Constitution does not provide for an alternate. But this Democrat Congress simply makes up its own rules and decides it will go through with a trial anyway. They will do it because they can. They have the power. After all, the Constitution is a “living document” and can mean whatever they determine it to mean. They have the power to define what the Constitution says about impeachment or anything else for that matter—might makes right!

This is the very essence of totalitarianism. No longer are we ruled by a fixed set of laws and principles. Laws and principles can now change to suit the desires of those in power, so that we are no longer a nation of laws but rather a nation of self-serving politicians. John Adams warned us about such a condition:

“…Avarice, ambition, revenge or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution is designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any other…:

Our founders understood that a constitution is only a piece of paper if corrupt leaders choose to disregard it, or to twist its meaning to suit their agenda. If the Constitution can mean anything, then it will mean nothing.

We must replace these godless politicians with men and women who are humble enough to submit to the founding principles which have afforded us the greatest nation this world has ever seen. If we fail liberty will be but a blip in the annals of world history. Might does not make right, and every concerned citizen must do all he or she can to re-establish the rule of law and classic righteousness which alone can exalt a nation. We must pray like it all depends on God and work like it all depends on us to restore the supremacy of Constitutional principles and law. God have mercy on the United States of America if we don’t.

Jan 19

The End of Good Faith?

Everyone is crying out for unity, but there is none. Why? It’s simple. We’ve lost our North Star, the one shining light that led us all in the same direction toward that more perfect union. It is expressed clearly in the motto, “One Nation Under God.” That is the stabilizing factor that allowed us to express different opinions and points of view while mutually pursuing a common goal, a life and a national character submitted to the mighty and gracious hand of the God of the Bible. That’s why our national motto is not in “We the People” we trust, or even “In the Constitution We Trust,” It is “In God We Trust.” This the essence of “good faith.”

Unfortunately, as we have moved away from personal submission to, and public acknowledgment of God, we have also removed His standard of right and wrong, of truth and untruth. If there is no god, then anything is permissible and can be justified in one’s own mind since the absence of the God of the Bible leaves one open to imagine their own god, one that suits their own purposes, and their own standard of right and wrong, their own “truth.”

There is no longer a “North Star” to which we can all set our sights without bias. There is no longer the assurance that we are all submitted to the same standard of honesty and integrity. There is no longer “good faith.”

There is a remedy, however.  George Washington stated it at our very founding,

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor…”—(Oct 3, 1789 National Day of Thanksgiving)

And again, by Abraham Lincoln who reminded us that

“ Whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, … and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history: that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord”—(March 30, 1863 Appointing a National Fast Day).

As for those who reject the counsel of our founders, America can no more reject our foundation than a skyscraper can continue to stand without its own.

So we must call people of faith to openly proclaim that we are “One Nation Under God,” and that must be our unifying standard, our North Star. We may debate what it means, but we must all agree that our common pursuit is to understand God’s will for America and work together to live it out. If we reject this pursuit there will be no unity, no common goal, no good faith, no “United States of America.” God have mercy on us.

Today, the leftist movement rejects any appeal to God and His rules for order and right. They follow another star, the star of Secular Humanism or Situational Ethics. Human Judgment is the ultimate arbiter of right and wrong. In their world “Might makes Right,” and that is our present danger. Because the left controls all the levers of national government they have the power to advance their agenda without considering another point-of-view which they deem to be not worth listening to because conservative views are, after all, backward and unenlightened. President Woodrow Wilson—not exactly a Conservative—warned us.

“The history of liberty is the history of the limitations of power, not the increase of it. When we resist, therefore, the concentration of power, we resist the powers of death, for the concentration of power always precedes the destruction of human liberties.”

So this is where we are today. If we cannot agree on our North Star, and live out our national motto, “In God We Trust,” we will never come together in good faith. It will be a battle of ideologies. There can only be one winner. In short, this is the timeless battle between God and Satan. Who will win? I pray for America that this will not be the end of good faith. God help us.

Nov 09

NOW WHAT?

Dear Friends and fellow warriors,
I haven’t made any public statements concerning the elections until now, because I wanted to be sure I wasn’t reacting in the flesh, and so I waited to be as certain as I can be that I’m hearing from the mind of Christ, the heart of God.

First of all, it is not over!. I was one of the prophets who said Trump would win the election. It’s clear, either we were all wrong, or God’s plan is to show up in a way that will cause us all to stand in awe, in amazement at His wonderful work–That’s what I’m believing!

The word to all of us at this particular time is Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.” When God spoke those words to His people in Jerusalem they were facing conquest by the Assyrians who had been ravaging towns of Judah and subjecting the people to the harshest of violence and torture. The Barbarians were literally at the gate! Yet, God said, “Be still…” It’s like He’s saying, “Don’t worry; I’ve got this.”
Yet, being still doesn’t mean being complacent. It means to know He is God and is able to deliver us. We will continue to pray, fast and work to defend our faith, our families and our freedoms, but yet with a stillness of soul, a manifestation of the abiding presence of the Prince of Peace in our hearts and minds. God is an awesome God and He delights to show up in ways that are absolutely unexplainable. Remember the three Israelites who were facing the fiery furnace? They told King Nebuchadnezzar that their God is able to save them, but even if He didn’t they still wouldn’t bow the knee to anyone but Him, (Daniel 3).

And so it is with us today. We will continue to pray to see the words of God’s prophets come to pass until we see the awesome miracle-working power of God make fools of His enemies. We will also be listening for our personal marching orders as we enter into 2021.

And so, I invite you to join us as we resume our monthly Faith & Freedom meetings on the third Saturday of each month. This month it will be November 21st. I will relay to you what I believe our Commander-In-Chief is directing as we move forward toward revival in our land. One thing I can tell you right now, is that we need your support and your active engagement. Yes, the battle is the Lord’s but we still need to show up. If you haven’t already done so, I need you to join up by logging onto this link and subscribing to donate at least $15 a month. If you prefer you can make a single annual donation ($180 or more) to be counted as a member of the New York Faith & Freedom Coalition. I would be personally grateful as that is the only way we can stay in the field to do battle. We receive no funding except what comes from New York believers who understand the call and the mission before us.
So, in closing:

1. Be still; be at peace; chill; He’s got it! (Psalm 46:10)
2. Pray and fast to see the words of the prophets come to pass.
3. Join us, Saturday, November 21st at 6:30 PM to learn where we go from here.
4. Join the New York Faith & Freedom Coalition and recruit others to join us.

JOIN OR DONATE HERE

For King and Country
Rev. Bill Banuchi
Executive Director

Therefore you kings be wise;
Be warned you rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you be destroyed in your way.
But His wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.
–Psalm 2:10-12

Oct 28

2020 Elections -Pre and Post

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul tells us to
“…fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”–2 Cor. 4:18:

In just a few days we will choose leaders of our nation for another four years as well as leaders for state and local elections for their respective terms.

This will be, without question, the most consequential election in the life of this nation since perhaps the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and even that is questionable. So I want to talk to you briefly about the significance of this election and how we, as Christians need to vote. Then I want to share what I believe is God’s word to us for the period following the election.

We must look beyond what is seen in the natural. As disciples, we ought to see beyond the natural, and not get caught up in arguments that are meaningless from an eternity perspective. I’m not talking about getting political. Paul tells us in his second letter to Timothy:

“No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the affairs of this life, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.”—2 Tim. 2:4

I am talking about being Biblical and pleasing our commanding officer who commands us to occupy until He comes. First of all I want to make clear what this election is not about.
• It’s not primarily about a contest between Donald Trump and Joe Biden
• It’s not about a contest between Republicans and Democrats
• It’s not even primarily about the U.S. Supreme Court
• It’s not even about the conflict between Black Lives and Blue lives as real as that conflict is

No, if we were contesting for those issues we would be entangled in the affairs of this life. It is much bigger than these temporal issues. It’s about which worldview will dominate our institutions and culture for the coming generations of American life.The Republican worldview as reflected in its platform presumes there is a God, and it is in the God of the Bible that we place our trust, thus our national motto. Public policies must reflect values that originate in God’s mind and heart as revealed in the Bible and interpreted by our imperfect understanding even with the help of the Holy Spirit. As we acknowledge our overruling dependency upon God we affirm that there is an absolute standard of right and wrong expressed in the Holy Scriptures. The platform of the Republican Party reaffirms our belief and trust in God while the platform of the Democrat Party discounts the idea of God and presumes to place human wisdom as the ultimate authority in American life. The danger there is as Dostoevsky told us, “If there is no god than anything is permissible,” including the sacrifice of more than 60 million babies since Roe V. Wade, including defiling the holy institution of marriage by re-defining it to mean what God has called an abomination.

HOW WE HAVE COME TO THIS POINT
Since the 1960s when the Supreme Court—not the people– took God out of our public schools we began the systematic removal of the knowledge of God from all our public and private institutions. We have been slowly but steadily turning away from the God of our Fathers, and by default coming under the god of this world. Like the classic illustration of the frog in the kettle that stays in the water while the flame is turned up one degree at a time, he never feels the difference until he is ultimately boiled alive. His goose is cooked, (I know it’s a mixed metaphor, but you get the idea). And so it has been in America for the last 60 years,
But Donald Trump, the most unlikely vessel, is leading the way back to God. That’s why the opposition is so animated, and even violent because that’s what Satan does. We, who serve God know who our Master is. Those who oppose us believe they are their own bosses while never having a clue about who is really pulling their strings, because he is, after all, the Prince of Darkness, Lucipher, the Deceiver.

President Trump repeatedly reaffirms that we are One Nation Under God, and that must be the rallying point for all our citizens. That is the answer to our racial issues and our economic disparities. Identity politics only serves to divide us. The minute one says “Black Lives Matter” or for that matter, even “Blue Lives Matter” you are dividing us and a house divided cannot stand.

SO WHAT IS GOD’S WORD TO US IN THESE DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION?
First, we must pray like it all depends on God, because it does. Secondly, we must work like it all depends on us, because it does that too. America has already lived way beyond the average life expectancy of a free republic – more than 230 years under One Constitution, unheard of in all of world history. If we lose it, it will be on us. John Adams reminds us that “Liberty once lost is lost forever.”

So let us today, once again as our forebears did for us, let us pledge our lives our fortunes and our sacred honor, first to the One who gave His life for our eternal freedom, Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lord and King of all Kings.  And secondly, to pray like it all depends on God and work like it all depends on us to get out the vote, every member of your family, every friend you might have to be sure we preserve the gift of liberty for our children and our grandchildren and live out God’s formula for revival.

WHAT IS GOD’S WORD CONCERNING THE DAY AFTER…OR THE WEEK AFTER…
President Trump will win re-election, but that will mark only the beginning of birth pangs preceding a period of great trial followed by a period of revival and reformation like has never been seen in the history of our nation.

The Church will rise out of its complacency and become relevant once again—not the whole church. In fact, it will be only a faithful remnant of pastors and Christian leaders who will step up to the plate to lead. The prophets will speak to the king once again. The royal priesthood will take its seat of authority at the city gates to rule in righteousness according to the precepts of nature’s God as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. Yes, we will debate what the Word says, but we will not debate that we are all committed to the fact that the law of the Lord is perfect, and our quest is to pursue a more perfect union as we come to better understand God’s perfect law and His plan for America.

We will be One Nation Under God rejecting the idea of a hyphenated American for we are all Americans, “E Pluribus Unum,” Out of many One.

As President Trump opens the door for the Church leading the way, we must occupy with evangelistic Biblical teaching to make disciples of our nation. Every local church, every Bible school and seminary will be called to teach its students the principles of faithful stewardship of the gift of liberty. We will prepare disciples to occupy the seats of government at every level from dog catcher on up. Yet, this will not be without resistance and sacrifice. The powers of Satan will oppose us at every move as we advance the cause of love, virtue and Biblical morality. We must be prepared to give all we have for the One who gave all for us.
Pastors must lead the way, or their lampstands will be removed. We must no longer be intimidated into silence, but be willing to speak of God wherever decisions are being made for our children. God must be mentioned whenever the thought comes to mind without fear of offending but yet with gentleness and respect. God must be an ever-present part of our speech as he is an ever-present part of our lives.

So as we prepare for the year 2021 prepare to go public with your faith. Your personal faith must find public expression to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Prepare for a season of opposition like we have never known here in this country, but also prepare for a season of revival and reformation to bring this nation back to the God of our fathers. Pastors must lead, or get out of the way. Though not every believer is called to be an evangelist, every believer is called to be a witness. Prepare to be an effective, courageous witness to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. No more fear and intimidation; 2021 is about courage, loving courage. We will live out the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14:

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.” –It’s coming. Get on board!
To be part of God’s plan of redemption you must be born again and filled with His Spirit. It will take power, courage and determination until we see America Bless God!