7 Issues of the Heart
Pastor Phil Derstine 11-6-22
Proverbs 4:23 “Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of Life.”
1. Be a Good Citizen and Vote - Let your voice be heard. Don’t be complacent. Make a decision.
· James 1:22 “Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only”
· “Evil triumphs when good men do nothing” – Edmund Burke (Father of modern conservatism)
· Matthew 5:13-14 “Ye are the salt of the earth… Ye are the light of the world…”
· Not Republican or Democrat, but Biblical Conservative – Platform most in line with the Bible
· John 21:6 “And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.” J
2. Speak out for Innocent Life - The abortion issue
· Proverbs 31:8 (NIV) “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”
· Psalm 139:13 (NIV) “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
· Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV) “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Life begins BEFORE conception, in heart of God)
3. Confront Sin and moral Decay – If we don’t, who will? (Bible sets a moral standard)
· Proverbs 14:34 “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”
· Isaiah 5:20 (AMP) “Woe (judgment is coming) to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”
· Daniel 1:8 “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…”
· Genesis 19:24 “Then the Lord rained down upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven.” (Abraham negotiated with God, but couldn’t find 10 righteous people)
· Jonah 3:10 (Nineveh) “When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways He had compassion.”
4. Defend the poor and oppressed – helping the poor and needy is God’s heart
· Isaiah 10:1 (NIV) “Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, (2) to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless.”
· Psalm 41:1 “Blessed is he that considers the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.”
5. Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem – Stand with Israel; the nations are aligning for or against Israel.
· Psalm 122:6 “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”
· Genesis 12:3 “And I will bless them that bless thee and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”
6. Pray for and honor your Leaders – Pray for whoever is in the White House!
· I Timothy 2:1-4 “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.”
· Romans 13:1 “… the powers that be are ordained of God.”
7. Be Kingdom Minded – We are Kingdom citizen’s 1st and American citizen’s 2nd
· Psalm 24:1 (NIV) “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”
· Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be on His shoulder…”
· Matt. 6:33 “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; all these things shall be added unto you.”
· II 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 and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
