THIS WEEK ON "THE HAL LINDSEY REPORT"!!

This week on 'The Hal Lindsey Report' - Hal Lindsey -www.hallindsey.com

 

As I write this today, I am shocked and saddened by the news from Nice, France. Scores dead and scores injured in one of the most horrific terrorist attacks I can imagine.

 

Many children are among those brutally murdered in what can only be described as an act of pure, Satanic evil. Evil that can only be conceived in the mind of Satan himself, and perpetrated by those on this earth who do his bidding.

 

Several policemen were killed in the rampage and members of the police eventually ended the carnage by taking the life of the terrorist.

 

Yesterday's horror in France (which will forever haunt the lives of thousands of French citizens) sadly illustrates my discussion on the program this week. I will be reporting on the ambush of the police in Dallas, Texas last week, which claimed the lives of 5 policemen and wounded several more.

 

I will also share some of my thoughts about this tragedy.

 

Donald Trump said that the shootings in Dallas had "shaken the soul of the nation." He's right.

 

Hillary Clinton noted that, "We need more love and kindness." She's right, too.

 

Through Jesus Christ, God brings the fruit of the Spirit into the world: "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23 NASB) All of which, I might add, are in mighty short supply in our world today.

 

The world recognizes its need for these things. In fact, it is desperate for them and searches madly for them.

 

But you cannot have the fruit without the tree. You cannot dispose of Jesus Christ, then expect your society to be characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

 

But believers in Christ have a never-ending supply. In other words, Christ is the answer.

 

Our love for each other -- no matter the race or background -- is one of God's great witnesses to a world starving for love.

 

The Russian Duma, or parliament, recently passed new "anti-terrorism" legislation. Even the Russians, who are accustomed to a more restrictive society, realize that this goes beyond even what they are used to.

 

In fact, the Russians are calling the new legislation, the "Big Brother Laws." They allow for even greater levels of surveillance and government intrusion.

 

For instance, the Russian telecommunications companies will be required to hold all data -- not just the metadata -- but all data from all customers for six months. This includes everything -- actual recordings of every phone call and copies of every text and email.

 

Major media is not reporting on the shocking restrictions on religious liberty. Russia's new laws will require all evangelistic efforts to take place only within the confines of a church. And even there, the Christians must first apply for a government permit.

 

The legislation will make it illegal to email a friend an invitation to church or talk to someone about Christ, even in the privacy of one's home.

 

Some doubt that the Russians would go so far as to monitor what actually goes on in the homes of private citizens. But David Aikman, a former TIME magazine reporter who lived in and reported from Russia for many years, made this observation: "I don't think you can overestimate the Russian government's willingness to exert control."

 

We must earnestly pray for our Russian brothers and sisters in Christ who are now going to face monumental and life-altering decisions in their walk with Christ. Someday, and maybe soon, I believe we will need them to pray for us, too!

 

The Russian nation has been on an ever-darkening path throughout the Vladimir Putin years. Every day, Russia seems to more fully embrace her prophetic destiny. Ultimately, that means war with God!

 

Unbelievably, as amazing as it sounds, the State of California seems to be on the same track!

 

It seems to have decided that Christians are the one group whose constitutional rights can be safely diminished, and maybe eventually eliminated.

 

Writing for Christianity Today, Ed Stetzer said, "The California legislature is poised to consider legislation that could destroy the ability of numerous faith-based colleges and universities to pursue the mission for which they were created."

 

There are two similar bills before the California legislature. If passed and signed into law, they would force Christian universities to either adhere to the state's dogma on sexual orientation and gender identity or leave the state.

 

Proponents of new laws often say, "Don't worry. We include exemptions for faith-based institutions." But we all know how easily exemptions can be removed or "loopholes" filled.

 

It seems that California wants to respect the rights of everyone except those students who choose a Christ-centered education.

 

Even Iowa is getting in on the persecution.

 

The Alliance for Defending Freedom reports that state law in Iowa may soon make it illegal for a pastor to state the Biblical position on a host of issues. ADF says, "The speech ban could be used to gag churches from making any public comments... that could be viewed as unwelcome to persons who do not identify with their biological sex."

 

Folks, Satan is working overtime to shut up Christians and unleash his followers. And he's using America's institutions that were founded on His laws to do it. And Americans are standing idly by and letting him get away with it.

 

All of this may be the tip of the spear in the coming persecutions of Christians that the Bible predicts for the last days.

 

Finally, on a recent program, I discussed "salvation." This week, let's take a brief look under the hood and see what makes salvation work.

 

It's called "grace."

 

The Gospel is not something we mortals would have devised for ourselves. The concept is contrary to human nature.

 

The world-system says you get what you're due. The Gospel offers each of us not what we're due, but what Christ is due.

 

That is "grace."

 

The "Law" assumes we have human merit. That if we try hard enough, we can qualify to be accepted by God.

 

But God gave us the Law to show us that we can never completely fulfill it and earn salvation. It shows us how short we fall.

 

Law and grace are exact opposites. We could never merit or earn what God gives to us freely, as a gift.

 

To be "justified" by Christ doesn't just mean that you are without sin, it means that God has declared you to be as righteous as Jesus Christ.

 

The moment you believe He died in your place for your sins, you receive the pardon that He purchased. Immediately, in the court of Heaven, God judicially declares you to be as righteous as Christ is.

 

By grace, He makes you permanently acceptable to Him.

 

This is just the tip of the "grace" iceberg. Tune in this week and I'll examine "grace" more closely. It is so important that Christians understand their place in the Body of Christ and how secure they really are.

 

Don't miss this week's Report on TBN, Daystar, CPM Network, The Word Network, various local stations, www.hallindsey.com  or www.hischannel.com . Check your local listings.

 

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God Bless,

 

Hal Lindsey