Are You Free… to do what the Lord has given you to do? - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Are You Free…

to do what the Lord

has given you to do?

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

As a young boy, (growing into a fine young man!) I really enjoyed reading biographies of men and women – those who found what they were created to do, and actually did it.

Men like David Livingstone, the Scottish Congregationalist pioneer medical missionary with the London Missionary Society, and an explorer in Africa. When he was “found” by Henry M. Stanley, the famous British explorer and New York Times reporter, deep in the heart of “the dark continent”, Stanley reportedly spoke this famous quote, when on November 10, 1871, he found the missionary and asked, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?"

I really liked the bios I read of Eric Liddell, the Scottish missionary to China, as his parents were before him, who was made even more well-known after the movie Chariots of Fire came out in 1981. Eric was an Olympic hero who followed after the heart of the Lord, in all His ways. He took the Gospel to the Far East nation. What an example for a young boy!

Of course there were others who inspired me, much like Harmon Killebrew, the Minnesota Twins baseball home run hitter in the 1970’s; Francis of Assisi, who left it all behind to touch the lives of the poor; and Abraham Lincoln, our American 16^th President during the Civil War in the 1860s (I think I must have over 24 books on him alone.)

Finally, a most inspiring book for one who wanted to do the Lord’s will in his life...

The Actes and Monuments, popularly known as Foxe's Book of Martyrs. Is a work of Protestant history and martyrology by John Foxe, first published in English in 1563 by John Day. It includes a polemical account of the sufferings of Protestants under the Catholic Church, with particular emphasis on England and Scotland. The book was highly influential in those countries, and helped shape lasting popular notions of Catholicism there.

The book went through four editions in Foxe's lifetime and a number of later editions and abridgements, including some that specifically reduced the text to a Book of Martyrs. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Above all, there is the One whom it is written, that there are not enough books to cover His life here on earth - our Lord, Jesus the Messiah. None can compare when reading of Him, and how we can walk in His steps even today.

But how do we walk in His ways, or those who continue to inspire and encourage us on today?

If the Lord called you tonight (or sent a text), and said, “Leave all you have and follow Me?" – what would keep you from doing it?

Would it be that job you have, that you don’t like anyway, but grudgingly to it because that is what you think there is just for you to do?

Is it lack of money, believing you need a good amount to get started down the path you’d really like to take, but never took that first step?

Would the opinion of family or friends outweigh the word the Lord wants to give you, or already has spoken to you about, and you keep pushing it back to another time, another place?

Can it be a simple thing like needing to have the constant noise of the TV on, watching meaningless weekly shows, that a month from now will have proven to be of nothing, having lasting value in your life?

Are you free to do what the Lord has given you to do? What is holding you back?

I think if you ask Him, actually “inquire of the Lord” as David did, you’d be given the inspiration to take the first step. 

Psalm 25The Message (MSG)

A David Psalm

25 ^1-2 My head is high, God, held high;
I’m looking to you, God;
No hangdog skulking for me.

³ I’ve thrown in my lot with you;
You won’t embarrass me, will you?
Or let my enemies get the best of me?

Don’t embarrass any of us
Who went out on a limb for you.
It’s the traitors who should be humiliated.

⁴ Show me how you work, God;
School me in your ways.

⁵ Take me by the hand;
Lead me down the path of truth.
You are my Savior, aren’t you?

⁶ Mark the milestones of your mercy and love, God;
Rebuild the ancient landmarks!

⁷ Forget that I sowed wild oats;
Mark me with your sign of love.
Plan only the best for me, God!

⁸ God is fair and just;
He corrects the misdirected,
Sends them in the right direction.

⁹ He gives the rejects his hand,
And leads them step-by-step.

¹⁰ From now on every road you travel
Will take you to God.
Follow the Covenant signs;
Read the charted directions."

So seek the Lord in faith, not fear, and see what He says. It will be worth it.

Something to think about.

Love you,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People, Inc.

P.S. I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. They might need it. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

We sure could use your help to bless the families we do in Israel, India, Pakistan, Vietnam and the hurting ones here in the USA. Please give out of the abundance you have been given.

In May, 2016, my wife Laurie and I will be traveling to Israel to spend time with our friends. We support them in word and deed. We have our plane tickets in hand. We love Israel.

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.

If these messages minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families we know in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

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Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)

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Now Think On This #212 “Free To Do?  Wednesday at 7:30 am in Charlotte, NC

All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This

Again, I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

Get a FREE Book From Israel ✡ "Israel Assembled at Shiloh" - JERUSALEM365

And the entire congregation of the children of Israel assembled at Shiloh, and set up the tent of meeting there. And the land was subdued before them. JOSHUA (18:1) וַיִּקָּהֲלוּ כָּל עֲדַת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל שִׁלֹה וַיַּשְׁכִּינוּ שָׁם אֶת אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד וְהָאָרֶץ נִכְבְּשָׁה לִפְנֵיהֶם יהושוע יח:א va-yi-ka-ha-lu kol a-dat b'-nay yis-ra-ayl shi-lo va-yash-kee-nu sham et o-hel mo-ayd v'-ha-a-retz nikh-b'-sha lif-nay-hem

Jerusalem Inspiration The city of Biblical Shiloh was the religious capital of Israel during the times of the Judges, and spans 4,000 years of continuous settlement.  Shiloh was an assembly place, and a center of worship, housing the Tabernacle.  The name of Shiloh the town is derived from שלה (shala) and may be translated as Tranquility Town.  As its name suggests, Shiloh Children's Fund dreams of a tranquil future for modern day Shiloh and all of Israel, free from the pain and trauma of terrorism.  One way that individuals can fight terrorism in Israel and around the world is by supporting the true Zionist response to terror, which is to rebuild the heartland of Israel for the next generation.  Donate to Shiloh Children's and receive a copy of 'God, Israel & Shiloh', Returning to the Land. Support child victims of terror and receive a free book now » Song of Thanks! Check out this great song, right in time for Thanksgiving! It's a song of thanks, by King David himself. Watch here » Survivor Seeks to Save Others Having survived a terrorist attack himself along with his young son, one Israeli is deeply connected to the land and its history. His own experience, coupled with study and talent, have led him to develop an outstanding program to heal victims of terror. Read more » Israel in My Heart Pendant This RingSaver pendant is shaped like a heart with a map of Israel so that Israel is truly in the heart. This RingSaver  pendant is open-ended so you can easily slip off your ring and hang it on the pendant! Get this Great Deal » Jerusalem Daily Photo Children, our future, rejoicing at the Kotel, by Sharon Gabay. See more photos by Sharon Gabay » Thank You Today's Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by Michal Kusak of the Czech Republic. Todah rabah! Sponsor a day and receive a free devotional book » “It is So Interesting and Helpful” It’s great to hear from you and make new friends from all over the world. Please send mean email and let me know how you are enjoying Jerusalem365 (don’t forget to say where you are from!). Stay in Touch » Thank you so much for Jerusalem365.  It is so interesting and helpful in learning more about Jerusalem.  Also a good reminder to keep praying for Jerusalem.  All of the information about ISIS is scary for all of us. Thank you again, Kathy Duran, Phoenix AZ Blessing from Jerusalem, Rabbi Tuly Weisz RabbiTuly@Israel365.com

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"Peace or Panic - The Choice is Yours!" Bobby Conner - The Elijah List

"Peace or Panic - The Choice is Yours!"

Bobby Conner, Bullard, TX

The Elijah List

How to Maintain a Tranquil Soul

We must discover the pathway to abiding peace and true tranquility! If we look out at the chaos and confusion, the death and destruction, we can be overwhelmed. However, if we will lift our vision higher and look up to focus our attention on Christ the King, our outlook will vastly change (see Isaiah 26:3).

Christ Jesus warns us that a time is coming when many will fall prey to fear and panic because of the things they see coming upon the earth.

And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth [there will be] distress (trouble and anguish) of nations in bewilderment and perplexity [without resources, left wanting, embarrassed, in doubt, not knowing which way to turn] at the roaring (the echo) of the tossing of the sea, men swooning away or expiring with fear and dread and apprehension and expectation of the things that are coming on the world; for the [very] powers of the heavens will be shaken and caused to totter. 

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with great (transcendent and overwhelming) power and [all His kingly] glory (majesty and splendor). Now when these things begin to occur, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption (deliverance) is drawing near. Luke 21:25-28 (AMP)

Living in Perfect Peace

Nirvana will not be generated by people or prescription pills. It is not obtained through yoga or occult meditation or any other occult practice. True tranquility of soul, genuine godly peace, is only found in the person of Christ, not in some ritual or pagan practice. He alone is the Prince of Peace. (Photo via Pixabay)

The antidote for negative thoughts or emotions is simple: We must obey the Word of God. The only cure for fear and anxiety is abiding in the Word, the person of Christ Jesus. Paul declares in Philippians 4:6-7 (AMP):

"Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

The answer to stress and anxiety is not medication but a living relationship with the Master! This is the pattern we need to learn: As we turn our inner focus, our will, to Christ and place our affections on Him, adjusting our thoughts to the Word, we will discover abiding peace. This is the Enoch walk of the overcomer!

Christ's presence within us is our assurance that we can live in peace, even in times of pressure and turmoil. The promise is much more than just merely getting through the tough times – He promises us perfect peace and constant contentment.

Does this sound too good to be true? Hardly! This is the abundant life purchased for us by the broken body and spilled Blood of the Lamb of God at Calvary. He died and rose again to birth the Kingdom of God within us when we are born again.

The Prince of Peace abides within us! We have a Blood-bought right to walk in uninterrupted shalom, free from all anxiety and fear, because of the living, breathing presence of Christ in our temple. 

(Photo by Jennifer Page "The Way, The Truth, The Life" via elijahshopper.com)

This is not too good to be true. Despite the arguments of your mind and heart, the Scriptures are always true – and they are filled with examples of people who lived in peace in overwhelming situations.

Abraham believed God, even as he raised the knife over Isaac (see Genesis 22). Caleb and Joshua believed God's promises after 40 years in the desert (see Numbers 14:38).

Mary believed God's Word, having never known a man – and her soul rejoiced (see Luke 1:26-38). Christ Himself believed His Father even as He was crucified. When He overcame sin, fear, and death at Calvary, we overcame them in Him. We were united with Him in death, and we are united with Him in His resurrection. The Cross stripped all power from fear and anxiety; they no longer have legal mastery over our souls – unless we let them rule.

We must not allow fear and anxiety to rule in our lives. We must first recognize the voices of the enemy – spirits of fear, rejection, accusation, and more. We must then repent from coming into agreement with these evil spirits and begin to hate evil with a perfect hatred. 

Then we must renounce the presence of these demonic beings in our lives and cast them away in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Ask for and receive forgiveness from your heavenly Father for having come into agreement with the lies of the devil.

As we submit to God and resist the devil, we will experience the peace of God that surpasses all human understanding. In our union with His resurrection, we have been given open access to perfect peace. How do we abide in this peace as a daily, lived experience? We do it by keeping our minds, wills, and emotions fixed on Christ and living lives of repentance from sin. 

Whenever your thoughts or emotions stray from the Prince of Peace, recognize the temptation of the evil one. If your heart has already come into agreement with his evil suggestions, simply receive forgiveness and return to the heart of your Beloved, which is found in His Word.

Despite the Storms...

Ponder the promise in Isaiah 26:3-4, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength."

We must never doubt that God is good and that He does good. Instead, we must be confident that "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him" (Nahum 1:7).

This is the Rock on which we can stand when the storms come our way – and they will indeed come (see Matthew 7:24-27). (Photo by Adbar via Wikipedia)

Despite the storms, however, God's plans and purposes for you are wonderful. 

Jeremiah 29:11 says: "'For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,' says the Lord, 'thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.'"

You must distinguish between the truths of God and the facts of your existence – and choose to trust the Lord, no matter what you perceive or feel. Look not at the facts of your life, and do not place your emotions upon the facts of your life but upon the truths of these marvelous Scriptures. 

Then you will abide in peace. Instead of worry and anxiety, recall this to mind: "The Lord's compassion and mercies are overwhelming. When I recall this, I have hope. I am not consumed because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness!"(Lamentations 3:20-24, paraphrased).

Your battleground is not the circumstances of your life. The true battleground of the enemy is in your mind, will, and emotions. Keeping your thoughts and heart focused on good things will prevent darkness from overtaking your soul:"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you" (Philippians 4:8-9).

Paul wrote, "Be anxious for nothing..." (Philippians 4:6).

We must stay focused on Christ and His unchangeable Kingdom if we are to have abiding peace during these days of chaos: "But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:33-34).

There is no greater warfare than our abiding with the Prince of Peace. The God of peace will crush our foe under our feet (see Romans 16:20). The moment you feel the loss of peace, repent and ask for the Forgiver Himself to flood you with His peace. Have no doubt – He will bring peace because He always keeps His promises.

Stay in HIM – stay at peace!

Bobby Conner
Eagles View Ministries
Email: manager@bobbyconner.org
Website: bobbyconner.org

Bobby Conner: This "Gentle Giant" is uniquely anointed with refreshing humor and razor-sharp prophetic accuracy, which has been documented around the world. Bobby's dynamic capacity to release outstanding demonstrations of the miraculous – healings, signs and wonders – reveals the very heart of the Father toward us! 

Surviving a dramatic abortion attempt by his mother, being rescued again by the hand of God from drug dealing and suicide, the story of Bobby Conner is a display of a man who now walks in his God-ordained destiny to set others free! Highly esteemed as an internationally acclaimed conference speaker, Bobby has ministered effectively to over 45 foreign countries as well as here in the States for many years.

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Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog - "I believe the GOP presidential race has come down to a “Final Four.”

Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog

It was an honor to pray for America and for the presidential candidates who participated in the forum in Des Moines on Friday.

I believe the GOP presidential race has come down to a “Final Four.” Which candidates deserve closest scrutiny? Here’s my report from Iowa. by joelcrosenberg Indeed, as I explained in my last column:(Des Moines, Iowa) -- As America continues hurtling down a dangerous path toward implosion, as darkness falls in the Middle East and North Africa, as the forces of evil advance and the forces of freedom retreat, anyone who cares about the American people and the people of the epicenter needs to pay very close attention to the American presidential race. We need a President who understands that Western leaders ignore the threat of Apocalyptic Islam at their peril. We need a Commander-in-Chief who truly understands the magnitude of the threats posed by Radical and Apocalyptic Islam. We need a President who has serious ideas about how to neutralize such threats, and has solid national experience that can assure us that he or she is really ready to confront this evil. We need a President who sees Israel as a faithful ally — not an adversary — in this showdown with the jihadists. We need a President who rejects the insane Iran nuclear deal, and the notion of allowing Russia and Iran to run wild in Syria. Commander-in-Chief is not an entry level position. There is no time for on-the-job training in the White House for a new President who has little or no experience thinking about foreign policy and national security issues. The next President must come in ready for war — because that’s what we’re in, and the stakes are simply too high to go with an untested outsider or newcomer. This is why I accepted the invitation to attend the presidential forum here in Des Moines on Friday night that was sponsored and hosted by The Family Leader. This is why I traveled 27 hours from Israel to get there -- to have the opportunity to meet, listen to and assess seven of the most compelling candidates vying to be the next Commander-in-Chief. I'm so glad I did. This was the most fascinating, informative and revealing political event I've been to in 25 years. Moderator Frank Luntz did a fantastic job getting most of the candidates -- most, but not quite all -- to really open up and help the crowd of some 1,600 Evangelical Iowans to better understand the faith, values and experience that drives and animates them. This was far superior to any of the debates that have been held so far. It wasn't a cage match. It was a conversation that gave us a unique window into the heart of these candidates. It was an honor to be asked to close the event in prayer. Indeed, I'm deeply grateful to Family Leader president Bob Vander Plaats for asking me to do so. I prayed for the Lord to bless and protect all the candidates and their families and to keep them safe. In the spirit of 2 Chronicles 7:14, I also asked the Lord to forgive us of our sins and help us turn back to Him. I asked the Lord to grant America another Great Awakening, even though we don't deserve it, and to show us whom He is raising up to lead this nation in 2017 and beyond. "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 I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14) Amen. I so wish I could take the time to share with you all the intriguing moments, key anecdotes and quotes from the event, as well as share with you my conversations with some of the candidates and many of the attendees. But at this point I sense two things are best. First, let me highly recommend that you watch the entire event online, which you can do by clicking here. Please also forward this link to family and friends and colleagues. Encourage them to carve out some time to watch as well. Then, please post your comments on the forum and this column on our "Epicenter Team" page on Facebook. I'm eager to know what you think. Above all, please pray and fast for the nation, for the candidates, and for wisdom on whom to support. Second, allow me to share with you my key takeaways from this weekend in Iowa, and from the presidential race over all. Many of you have been asking for my assessment of the candidates. Thus far, I have written and shared mostly about the Biblical principles that are guiding me in my evaluation and decision-making process (i.e., prayerfully seeking a "Josiah"). But today I do feel the freedom from the Lord to write more specifically about how I see the candidates, given that we are a mere 70 days or so from the actual voting in the Iowa caucuses. I hope you'll find these notes and observations helpful as you prayerfully seek the Lord for wisdom about whom to support. I believe the GOP presidential race has come down at this point to a "Final Four" -- four candidates who deserve the most careful scrutiny, prayer and consideration. Maybe this "Final Four" idea comes from the fact that I graduated from Syracuse University. A touch of March Madness, perhaps. But it is where I've come down after months of analyzing the race closely. More on this in a moment. It was very encouraging to see that Evangelical Christian leaders and activists here truly get the high stakes of this election. They know that we are not just facing a bumpy patch in American history. We're racing towards implosion. Many of them believe, as do I, that we urgently need to unify around a candidate who has the vision, strategies and experience to turn this ship of state around and get us headed in the right direction. I talked to dozens of Iowans  this weekend and was deeply touched by how seriously they are taking their "first in the nation" responsibility to study and vet the candidates. God bless these folks! May their tribe increase! While I'm trying very hard in my life not to be a partisan -- indeed, I want Democrats, Republicans and Independents to come together and work together for the good of the country -- the sad reality is that there are not Democrats running for president whom I could support. Neither Hillary nor Bernie nor any of the others will protect the sanctity of innocent human life, or define and defend marriage as a sacred union between one man or one woman, or work to safeguard religious liberty in America, or truly reform and simplify the tax code and reduce the tax burden on the American people, or declare the Iran deal as insane and thus null and void, or move decisively to neutralize the Iran and ISIS threats. That leaves me and other Evangelicals looking only to the GOP field for credible options. Many Iowans -- well over half the electorate, I'm told by sharp political analysts here -- really haven't made a decision of which candidate to back. They're telling pollsters what their leanings are at any given moment, but the constantly shifting polls indicate that no one has locked in with a favorite yet. With 70+ days yet to go, we are likely to see many more changes ahead. Remember: Rand Paul was once a frontrunner. So was Mike Huckabee. So was Jeb Bush, and Scott Walker, and Donald Trump, and Ben Carson. The volatility is reminiscent of the 2012 cycle -- so expect more changes. Donald Trump did not attend Friday's forum. But Trump poses a mortal threat to the conservative movement. He is not a conservative by any stretch of the imagination. He supports Partial Birth Abortion. He supports single-payer health insurance. He has long supported liberal Democrats. He has no foreign policy or national security experience. He has a crazy $10 trillion tax cut plan. (Last time he ran in 2000 he had a crazy $5.7 trillion tax increase plan; that would have been half of the GDP of the nation at the time.) He's a narcissist who is very shrewdly tapping into deep popular rage against Washington and using it for his own ends, to gain attention, and ultimately to gain power and more wealth. Pundits keep predicting his demise, but let's be honest: his poll numbers remain strong, especially in Iowa and New Hampshire. If he wins both, he could also win South Carolina, and the GOP nomination. A big question then is: What conservative can stop Trump? Another big question I'm asking is this: Is God raising up a leader like Josiah who truly loves the Lord, has a humble heart, and also has the vision, courage and experience to make bold, sweeping reforms to try to turn America around and get us back on the right track? (for a more detailed explanation of what I mean by the need for a "Josiah," please click here) The people I spoke with don't want to simply stop Trump. They are praying that the Lord will raise up a leader who can tap the incredible rage at the grassroots level, channel it, win the nomination and the presidency, and win a national mandate to make bold conservative domestic changes in Washington, while also truly leading the war against the forces of Radical and Apocalyptic Islam. Nothing less will suffice. I completely agree. Of the 17 candidates that started in the GOP field, three have dropped out. Of the 14 that remain, 7 chose not to come to address these Christian grassroots activists. I believe the nominee will come -- or should come -- from one of the 7 candidates that did attend. Of these seven, however, I believe three are not ready to be president. Dr. Ben Carson -- he's clearly a genius, a gifted neurosurgeon, a man of faith, and an incredible kind and gracious man. It was an honor to finally meet him this weekend. I totally see the appeal and why he has surged in the polls. He is a national asset. The problem is that he has absolutely no foreign policy or national security experience. Nor does he have solid, specific, crisp, consistent, well-thought through answers for how to make big changes in Washington. For example, it is a bit odd that such a wonderful doctor hasn't introduced a health care reform plan to replace ObamaCare, right? Such facts don't make Carson a bad person. Not at all. But they do mean that while Dr. Carson is good man, he simply isn't prepared to be president at this time. This is why his poll numbers are starting to fade. That said, I have no doubt God can use him to serve this country in a key way. I think he could make an amazing Surgeon General, for example. Carly Fiorina -- she has real strengths as a woman of deep faith, and impressive global business experience. It was a blessing to meet her this weekend. I've enjoyed seeing her star rise. Her first two debates were remarkably impressive. However, Mrs. Fiorina also has no foreign policy and national security experience. After the Paris attacks -- and in the wake of the rise of ISIS and the Iran nuclear threat -- it's simply not wise to choose someone who isn't ready to lead the nation to war. As I've noted above, Commander-in-Chief is not an entry-level position. What's more, I have to say I'm surprised that a woman of such business accomplishments hasn't laid out a detailed tax reform and economic growth plan. For such reasons, her poll numbers are drifting downward now after a spike. That said, I like her a lot. I'm deeply grateful for her passionate pro-life advocacy. She's very open and genuine about her faith, which I love and deeply respect. Indeed, I believe she has a real contribution to make to the nation. She would make a great Commerce Secretary, Ambassador or other Cabinet officer. Eager to see where God takes her. Sen. Rand Paul -- as I have written before (see here, and here), he's an isolationist, he's not a friend of Israel,  and he would be a disaster as president as we face threats from Russia, Iran, ISIS, China and North Korea. That said, he's an ardent champion of liberty, he's pro-life, he wants to dramatically reduce the role of government, and he supports a flat tax, among other strengths. So I don't want him to lose his Senate seat. But I believe he will withdraw from the presidential race soon. I believe the GOP presidential race has come down at this point to a "Final Four" -- Cruz, Rubio, Santorum and Huckabee. Senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio are the two brilliant, up-and-coming, and very compelling young Cuban conservatives. Gov. Huckabee and former Sen. Rick Santorum are the two deeply principled, tried and tested, and very experienced previous Iowa Caucus winners. On the plus side, Cruz and Rubio have money, organization and some momentum. They are incredibly attractive and talented candidates and powerful communicators. They hail from big states, Texas and Florida, respectively. They are both devout Evangelical Christians. Both are strongly pro-life. Both are passionate about defending religious liberty. They both love Israel. They have solid foreign policy credentials. Cruz serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, while Rubio serves on both the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Intelligence Committee. They both seem to understand the threat of Radical Islam and talk about it a great deal. They have both offered impressive pro-growth tax reform plans. Cruz wants a flat tax -- see details here. Meanwhile, Rubio proposes a two-rate plan along the Reagan '86 model -- see details here. Either of one of them could win the nomination and both offer the face and voice of a new, young, dynamic generation of conservative leadership. On the minus side, both Cruz and Rubio are first term Senators and have very few accomplishments yet on the national stage. We simply haven't seen them tested over the long haul. They have changed a number of their positions in a relatively short period of time. For some of Rubio's changes, see here, here, and here. For some of  Cruz's changes, see here, here, and here. Some are accusing the two of changing positions for political purposes, of being "flip-floppers" or even opportunists. I'm not sure that's fair. I think they are works in progress -- new to Washington and finding it challenging to consistently apply their principles to the major issues of the day. But such charges do give me pause because the stakes are so high I really want to be sure what the next president will do in office. I don't want to constantly wonder if a Republican president will betray me and the country in the Oval Office. Consider the marriage issue, for example. Both Cruz and Rubio are on the record as pro-marriage. I believe them. The question is this: how hard will they defend the institution of one-man/one-woman marriage? How will they handle the recent Supreme Court decision sanctioning same-sex marriage and get us back to traditional, Biblical marriage? Will they stand firm on principle, and truly fight for our values with strategies than can win, or will they dodge or avoid the issue as President and say marriage is a lost cause? How will they be influenced by the media, by donors, by friends who disagree with them and want them to avoid "messy social issues"? I'm not saying either or both will fold under pressure. I'm simply saying they are so new that they don't have a long track record we can observe to give us deep confidence of how they will handle the intense pressures in Washington to cave on critical matters. Also on the minus side: their positions on immigration. Rubio admits he made a mistake when he joined the "Gang of Eight" on comprehensive immigration reform that included amnesty. He now promises to focus first on securing the border before dealing with the 11 million undocumented workers and residents in the U.S. It is good that he sees the mistake and is working to correct it. But let's be honest: that was a major mistake if you oppose amnesty (as I do), so it's hard to ignore. Cruz, however, also supports a form of amnesty -- that is, while he would not grant full citizenship to illegal aliens, he has proposed allowing them to stay in the U.S. in a legal status. Moreover, rather than slowing down or cutting legal immigration to allow more Americans to find good jobs and see their wages rise,Cruz actually proposed a 500% increase in H1-B visas. That's a problem for me. Now he's backing off on this a bit, recalibrating his position. But this does raise questions about whether he understands how angry Americans are about Washington's refusal to protect American workers by sealing the border, requiring illegal immigrants to return home, and giving American citizens first crack at good jobs and higher wages. To be fair, every candidate has weaknesses, as well as strengths. Our job is to study each candidate carefully and prayerfully assess which are the more serious flaws, and what we can live with. Now let's turn to Huckabee and Santorum. They are lagging far behind in the polls, even here in Iowa. But they have decades of policy and political achievements under the belts and thus they are worth considering very seriously. Gov. Mike Huckabee -- he was a governor for a decade so he has lots of experience. At the time, Arkansas was a largely Democrat state. So Huckabee made some compromises conservatives don't like -- he raised taxes, he increased spending, and so forth. But he also is responsible for helping turn Arkansas into a red state -- it's now a Republican conservative environment because people saw and liked how Huckabee led. He is deeply pro-life and strongly pro-marriage. I have not a single doubt he would govern as president to protect life (including banning all abortions) and trying to turn the country back to a pro-marriage policy. There's no concern he will "go soft" or "flip flop" on these issues. He's also funny, personable, and an effective communicator. He has a deep love for Israel and has been there forty or fifty times. He knows Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders well and personally and would totally restore the U.S.-Israel alliance. That said, he doesn't have foreign policy and national security experience beyond Israel. What's more, he supports the Fair Tax but hasn't laid out a specific plan to make it work. That's a problem. And while I'm glad he so strongly supports keeping our promises to seniors on Social Security, Huckabee seems resistant to entitlement reform which is a mistake since these programs are leading the nation towards bankruptcy. Not long ago, Huckabee was the front-runner in Iowa, South Carolina and nationally. But he has faded to the back of the pack. Can he turn things around? I honestly don't know. Sen. Rick Santorum -- he, too, is deeply pro-life and pro-marriage. Indeed, much of the pro-life legislation that has been passed in Washington in the last generation was written by him. For example, he wrote the law that banned Partial Birth Abortion, and got it passed with bipartisan support, and got it signed into law after multiple vetoes. That's impressive. He has long fought to defend traditional, Biblical marriage, despite intense -- and often cruel -- attacks by the Left and the media. I have no doubt he would govern on principle on these issues in the Oval Office and there's no fear of him folding or caving. On economic growth, I have to say I absolutely love his "20/20 Flat Tax" proposal and "Economic Freedom Agenda." (see also here.) His immigration plan is far and away the most conservative and principled in the field -- including no amnesty of any kind, and a 25% cut in legal immigration. This is why he received an "A" rating from a leading national immigration watchdog group, the highest in the field of presidential contenders. What's more, Santorum was the author of major conservative reform bills in the Senate -- from welfare reform (ending welfare as we know it) to Health Savings Accounts -- and was able to build bipartisan support to get them passed, sometimes over repeated presidential vetoes. Perhaps more than any candidate running, he has actually passed big reforms on the national stage despite the toxic political environment in Washington. What makes Santorum particularly distinctive in this cycle, however, is his expertise on foreign policy and national security issues. His first vote ever as a freshmen Congressman in January 1991 was not to name a post office but to go to war with Saddam Hussein to remove Iraq from Kuwait. He has been serious about dealing with Mideast terror and Radical Islam ever since. Indeed, it was Santorum who wrote the original law to impose economic sanctions on Iran. And as he said in the forum on Friday night, who tried to stop that those sanctions from passing? Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Kerry and Joe Biden. Interesting. Santorum served eight years on the Senate Armed Services Committee. In 2006, he started warning of that Radical Islam was a "Gathering Storm" we must deal with. He has spoken out clearly about the threat of Apocalyptic Islam, as well. Many have ignored him, or tried to marginalize him, but he's been right and consistent on these issues for 25 years. Arguably more than any other candidate besides Sen. Lindsey Graham, he is the best prepared to be Commander-in-Chief. Santorum is also a very effective debater who would do well up against Hillary. He's become a far better communicator over the past four years, and his "Blue Collar Conservative"message would be very effective in swing states in the general elections. Still, Santorum is far behind in the polls. True, his support came late in the Iowa caucus process last time. Indeed, he eventually won the caucuses and 11 states, coming very close to winning Ohio and Michigan and earning the nomination. Could it happen again? It could. Iowans like and respect him here. They could break late for him. But right now they seem to be more interested in the new faces. Thus far, Santorum's Super PAC hasn't raised enough money to launch an ad campaign to make a strong case for their man. The competition Santorum faces for conservative and Evangelical voters is stronger this time. In the wake of the Paris attacks, I can see a path to the nomination for Santorum -- more so than Huckabee, though I like them both and am friends with both -- but it is getting late. Which brings us back to the two Cuban conservatives. I just met Marco Rubio for the first time on Friday night. We spent 15 or 20 minutes together, one-on-one, before the forum. I was deeply impressed. I have met Ted  Cruz a number of times over the last several years, and spent a day with his dad, Rafael Cruz, in August 2014. Love Rafel. Great guy. Passionate. Fascinating. Engaging. And gracious. Yet I find myself reluctant about Ted. In person, I have found him painfully shy, even awkward. And his public style can be off-putting to some. Not to me not entirely. I love Ted's passion. He's brilliant, and he's a fighter. And conservatives are gravitating towards him, and I can see why. But many others are reluctant, like I am, and we're trying to figure out way. Rubio is personally warmer, more winsome, and a more effective communicator than Cruz. He is more empathetic and comes across as a team builder, a unifier. I suspect Marco could be more effective in a debate with Hillary. Cruz could win on points, but presidential debates are not high school and college debates. You're not debating to score points with judges but to win trust with voters. And while I have little doubt Cruz could win the GOP nomination, I wonder if he would come across as too strident, too doctrinaire on stage with Hillary, and put the general election in jeopardy. Then again, I see Cruz trying to use more stories and more humor than before. He certainly did on Friday night. Perhaps my reluctance and that of others will fade. Perhaps Cruz can keep the fire of his convictions yet learn to become not just a fighter but a team builder, a unifier. Still, we have to keep Trump in mind. The question is not who is the perfect conservative candidate. The questions for me are: 1) Who is the Lord raising up to lead America? 2) Are one of these four men a "Josiah"? 3) Which one can win Iowa, thus slowing down or derailing the Trump momentum? 4) Who can win next November?  The answer -- I honestly am not sure yet. I see flaws in each of the "Final Four," but I also see great strengths and much potential. Would you join me in studying these four more carefully, and praying and pleading for the Lord to have mercy on our nation and give us the leader we need, not the one we deserve? God bless you, and may God continue blessing America. NOTE: These are my own personal views. I offer them in my individual capacity as an American citizen. They do not reflect or represent the position of The Joshua Fund, a non-profit organization, or any other group or organization. joelcrosenberg | November 24, 2015 at 2:09 pm | Categories: Uncategorized | URL:http://wp.me/piWZ7-3sB