Is Conservative Talk Radio Getting the Job Done? by Frederick Hoehn, copyright 2013, all rights reserved. Chapter 1 Most of the time, when I write, it's about Bible topics such as being an overcomer, or the Baptism with the Holy Ghost, or spiritual warfare against the forces of darkness. I'm not a political animal. My major in college was not Political Science, it was Engineering. Though I had a career in technology, my primary calling now is to be a Priest for the Lord. It is not to set the government straight. And yet, as an American, I would like to do what I can to help my nation go in the right direction. I was born an American. I live here. I don't want the U.S. to go down the drain. As a Priest for the Lord, I can shed some light on this issue. I had a friend in Glendale, California, Bill Falling. For a while, he drove a United Parcel Service truck, I guess while he was finishing his education. He was also my Sunday School teacher at Faith Center Church. He later became a pastor of a church in Escondido, CA, near San Diego. Then I learned that Falling had quit his pastorate to start a Christian Voter's League. I appreciate his desire to try to improve our nation, and yet, I think he might have missed the will of God by doing so. I believe you do more for the nation by helping people spiritually than by going into politics. As a pastor, he could get people born-again, baptized with the Holy Ghost, casting out demons, healing the sick. If you get people right spiritually, when they vote, they'll make good choices. But if your main approach is political, you're up against powerful forces, the only hope of conquering is with the mighty weapons spoken of in 2 Cor. 10:3-5-- 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds,) 5 Throwing down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ, There was a period when I used to listen quite a bit to Conservative talk radio. You've got your Rush Limbaugh, your Sean Hannity, your Mark Levin, your Tom Marr, etc. I mostly agree with what they have to say, and yet, are they really moving the nation in the right direction? Not that they want to go in the wrong direction, but are they effective in changing things for the better? Mark Levin is wrong to advise people to invest in gold. Please see what I wrote about, "Why Gold is a Bad Investment." James chapter 5 shows that gold and silver will lose their value. But Mark is Jewish, so I guess he doesn't read the book of James. He probably also didn't read my emails to him. And then on TV, I watch Fox News Channel. Sean Hannity is there, too. Prior to the Presidential election of 2012, Hannity had at the introduction of his radio program the phrase, "The Stop Obama Express." I was sympathetic to that. I thought Romney would be a better president. But did Hannity stop Obama? Who is the current resident at the White House? Obama. No, Hannity didn't stop Obama. Did Mark Levin or Rush Limbaugh stop Obama? Apparently not. So then, after all that talk, talk, talk, what is the benefit? Well, it gives you kind of a good feeling to be empathizing with those who want to improve the nation, but aside from that, I don't see that there has been a lot of benefit, except for good intentions. Good intentions are commendable, but they don't necessarily get the job done. Talk show hosts might say, "We're doing all that we know to do." I say, "Did you ever consider that your knowledge might be rather shallow?" The above passage from Corinthians says our weapons are not carnal, but spiritual. While I sympathize with the Conservative commentators, I don't recall any of them trying to employ Christian spiritual weapons. Mark Levin doesn't know about spiritual weapons. That's New Testament, and Jews pretty much stay away from the New Testament. Some of the others might be Christian. Hannity says he's Catholic, so maybe he's born-again, I don't know. No doubt some Catholics are born again, but some are not. In Houston, my wife and I broke bread with Charles and Elizabeth Melton. They said they had been in the Catholic church, and while there, they were not taught what Jesus said, "You must be born again," (John chapter 3), but no, they were taught you'll go to heaven if you're a good Catholic. There is no church, membership in which, will get you to heaven without being born again. Not one. So then, these conservative talk radio and TV people, for all their good intentions, without Christian spiritual weapons, seem to be rather ineffective. After Mark Levin had spoken so much against Obama for perhaps a year and a half, and then Obama got a second term, wouldn't it be time to pause for a reevaluation of the strategy? Wouldn't it be time to say, "Wait a minute, why have I not accomplished my purpose?" But another factor, of course, is the fact that the talk show people are making good money. If that were not the case, their broadcasts would go away and be replaced by programs hosted by others who would get better Nielsen ratings, or whatever rating service is being used now. So, if you're making good money by doing what you're doing, there's the tendency to continue doing it. I'm not accusing them of being primarily motivated by financial profit, but I'm saying let's face the fact that they haven't accomplished very much with their present strategies. So I say to all conservative TV and radio speakers, if you want to get serious about making a significant difference, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness," and the other things will be added to you. (Matt 6:33) Here's another scripture to support this indirect approach: "He that finds his life shall lose it, and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it," Jesus says. (Matt 10:39) You need Jesus anyway, to go to heaven instead of hell. Now put Jesus into your strategy for the nation, and don't lean so much to your own understanding. (Prov 3:5,6) Chapter 2 But someone might say, "But what are you doing for your nation, Fred?" I've served in the Army and Navy, and I'm being a good citizen by following Christian principles like our nation was founded on. It's not my calling to go and run for office, nor to campaign for various candidates, but I'll speak out from time to time to try to help steer my nation in the right direction. But primarily, I'll try to win souls for Jesus, and try to strengthen my fellow Christians in their walk with the Lord. The present administration in Washington, has been plagued by various scandals in its second term. The IRS problem, the Benghazi problem, the Associated Press problem, apparent misstatements by Susan Rice, apparent wrongful persecution of a journalist with Fox News, the issue now of to what extent the federal government is looking into our phone conversations. I believe I've also been a victim of discrimination by the government. I used to have a blog at www.FredHoehnBlog.Wordpress.com At the blog, I had posted one hundred thirty six postings, including individual postings of each of the sixty six books of the Holy Bible, Hoehn Version, copyright 2011. But I had written some articles very critical of Barak Obama. When I went to post the 137th article, as I recall, Wordpress shut down my FredHoehnBlog, saying I had violated their terms and conditions. They didn't go into detail. I don't think I violated their terms and conditions. I suspect that someone in the Obama administration put pressure on Wordpress. Perhaps they said to Wordpress, "Either you shut him down, or we'll shut you down." So Wordpress shut me down. I believe they've violated my Constitutional right to freedom of speech. Why did they offer me a free blog if they were going to be hypercritical of what I might write? Surely God will punish Wordpress, and whomever else it might be that conspired with them. In the world situation, there is also cyber spying apparently by China. There is the Syrian civil war. Not all the problems have been wrapped up with Iraq and Afghanistan. The issue of Iranian nuclear weapons. The immigration problem. Border security. The world economic situation. Starvation. Disease. Poverty. The terrorist threat. There's a lot of talk. Everyone has an opinion. God has the solutions to our problems, but to get God in on it, our citizens must seek him. As an American for more than six decades, I'm pretty sure your average American spends hardly any time seeking the Lord. They have their careers, their families, their TV programs, their sports, their recreations, none of which will necessarily send you to hell, but Jesus taught that we have to put him first, or we're not worthy of him, and if we don't do so, there's a hell at the end of the road. Another scripture says, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any country." (Prov 14:34) But our nation is a long way from the righteousness it once had through fear of God, and living according to God's principles. I've heard there are some laws now prohibiting speaking against gays. But the Constitution of the United States with its amendments still gives me freedom of religion and freedom of speech, and I'll continue to preach the Bible for as long as I'm on earth. If it's necessary to die as a martyr for Jesus, I'm available for that, but I think the Lord's not going to let that happen until I've won many more souls for Jesus. God is very much against homosexuality. In 1 Cor 6:9,10, God says homosexuals don't go to heaven. The King James Version says "the effeminate," which means gays. And if God won't let male homosexuals into heaven, he won't let lesbians in either. What they're doing is selling their souls for some short-term pleasure. God has provided an acceptable form of sex--normal relations between a man and a woman who are husband and wife. But if you must do things contrary to God, you'll pay the price. And our nation is paying a price because of sexual perversion, blasphemy, pornography, lust, covetousness, lying, and other sins. Porn is wrong because Jesus said, "He that looks at a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart." (Matt 5:28) Scriptures quoted are from the Holy Bible, Hoehn Version and the New Testament, Hoehn Version, copyright 2011, both available as ebooks for the Kindle readers from Amazon.com The Lord bless you. Frederick Hoehn www.FredHoehnMinistries.com ___Galatians chapter 1 1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, nor by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead,) 2 And all the brothers who are with me, to the churches of Galatia, 3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, so that he would give us deliverance from this present evil world, according to the will of God our Father, 5 To whom be glory forever and always. Amen. 6 I'm surprised that you're so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ to another gospel, 7 Which is not another, but there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preaches any other gospel to you than that which we've preached to you, let him be under a curse. 9 As we said before, so I say now again, if any man preaches any other gospel to you than what you've received, let him be under a curse. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I wouldn't be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify to you brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I didn't received it from man, nor was I taught it by man, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you've heard of my lifestyle in the past in the Jews' religion, how I greatly persecuted the church of God, and wasted it, 14 And profited in the Jews' religion more than many of my equals in my own nation, being much more zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, so that I would preach him among the heathen, I didn't confer with flesh and blood, 17 Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I immediately went into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 But I didn't see any other apostles, except James the Lord's brother. 20 Now the things that I write to you, see, before God, I'm not lying. 21 Afterward I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, 22 And was unknown by face to the churches of Judea that were in Christ, 23 But they had only heard that he that persecuted us in the past now preaches the faith that he once destroyed. 24 And they glorified God in me. ___Galatians chapter 2 1 Then fourteen years afterward, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, so that I wouldn't somehow run, or wouldn't have run for nothing. 3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised, 4 And that because of false brothers unknowingly brought in, who came in secretly to spy out our liberty that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they could bring us into bondage, 5 To whom we didn't give place by subjection even for an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would continue with you. 6 But of those who seemed to be somewhat, (whatever they were, it doesn't matter to me, God doesn't accept any man's person,) for those who seemed to be somewhat added nothing to me in conference, 7 But to the contrary, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed to me, like the gospel of the Jews was to Peter, 8 (For he that worked effectively in Peter to the apostleship of the Jews, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles,) 9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, so that we should go to the heathen, and they to the Jews. 10 Only they wanted us to remember the poor, which I also wanted to do. 11 But when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before certain people came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles, but after they arrived, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing the Jews. 13 And the other Jews pretended with him also, so much that Barnabas was also carried away with their pretending. 14 But when I saw that they didn't walk uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live the lifestyle of the Gentiles, and not like the Jews, why do you make the Gentiles live like the Jews?" 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not Gentile sinners, 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, we have believed in Jesus Christ, so that we would be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law, for by the works of the law, no flesh shall be justified. 17 But if while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves are also found to be sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things that I destroyed, I make myself a sinner. 19 For I through the law am dead to the law, so that I would live to God. 20 I am crucified with Christ, however I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me, and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God, for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ died for nothing. ___Galatians chapter 3 1 O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, so that you won't obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 Just tell me this, did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain? If it is now in vain? 5 He therefore that ministers to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 6 Just like Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness. 7 Know therefore that those who are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached the gospel before to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all nations be blessed." 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse, for it is written, "Cursed is every one that doesn't continue in all things that are written in the book of the law to do them." 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident, for, "The just shall live by faith." 12 And the law is not of faith, but, "The man that does them shall live in them." 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us, for it is written, "Cursed is everyone that hangs on a tree," 14 So that the blessing of Abraham would come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15 Brothers, I speak in the style of men, though it is but a man's covenant, yet if it's confirmed, no man cancels it, or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his descendants were the promises made. He doesn't say, "And to seeds," as about many, but as of one, "And to your seed," who is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before by God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred thirty years later, can't cancel, so that the promise would be of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise, but God gave it to Abraham by promise. 19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, until the descendants would come to whom the promise was made, and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21 So then, is the law against the promises of God? God forbid, for if there had been a law given that could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the scripture has concluded all under sin, so that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ would be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up to the faith that would afterward be revealed. 24 So the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, so that we'd be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we're no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For you're all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you're Abraham's descendants, and heirs according to the promise. ___Galatians chapter 4 1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a servant, though he is lord of all, 2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world, 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem those who were under the law, so that we'd receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because you're sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, shouting, "Abba, Father." 7 So you are no longer a servant, but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 8 But then, when you didn't know God, you did service to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now, after you've known God, or rather are known by God, how can you return to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days, and months, and times, and years. 11 I am afraid concerning you that I may have labored in vain. 12 Brothers, I beg you, be like I am, for I'm like you are, you haven't injured me at all. 13 You know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel to you at the beginning. 14 And my temptation that was in my flesh you didn't despise, nor reject, but received me like an angel of God, even like Christ Jesus. 15 Where is then the blessedness you spoke about? For I testify that, if it had been possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. 16 Have I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? 17 They zealously affect you, but not well, yes, they would exclude you, so that you would affect them. 18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you. 19 My little children, for whom I travail in birth again until Christ is formed in you, 20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice, for I stand in doubt of you. 21 Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, don't you hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh, but he of the freewoman was by promise. 24 Which things are an example, for these are the two covenants, the one from Mount Sinai produces bondage, which is Agar. 25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which is now, and is in bondage with her children. 26 But Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written, "Rejoice, you barren who doesn't bear, break forth and shout, you who doesn't travail, for the desolate has many more children than she that has a husband." 28 Now we, brothers, like Isaac was, are the children of promise. 29 But like then, he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Anyway what does the scripture say? "Throw out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman." 31 So then, brothers, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free woman. ___Galatians chapter 5 1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty with which Christ has made us free, and don't be entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2 See, I Paul say to you that if you're circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ has become of no effect to you, whoever of you are justified by the law, you've fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith which works by love. 7 You ran well, who hindered you so that you wouldn't obey the truth? 8 This persuasion doesn't come from him that called you. 9 A little yeast leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that you won't be otherwise minded, but he that troubles you shall have his punishment, whoever he is. 11 And I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offence of the cross has stopped. 12 I would prefer they were completely stopped who trouble you. 13 For brothers, you've been called to liberty, only don't use liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve each other. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, "You shall love your neighbor like yourself." 15 But if you bite and devour each other, be careful that you're not consumed by each other. 16 This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and you won't fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, and these are contrary to each other, so that you can't do the things that you want to do. 18 But if you're led by the Spirit, you're not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are clear, which are these, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, false doctrine, 21 Envying, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and like that, of which I tell you before, as I've also told you in the past, that those who do such things won't inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance, against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking each other, envying each other. ___Galatians chapter 6 1 Brothers, if a man is overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual restore him in the spirit of meekness, considering yourself, so you won't also be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let every man prove his own work, and then he'll have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in someone else. 5 For every man shall carry his own burden. 6 Let him that is taught in the word give to him that teaches in all good things. 7 Don't be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man plants, that's what he'll harvest. 8 For he that plants for his flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but he that plants to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we'll reap, if we don't faint. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially to those who are of the household of faith. 11 You see how long a letter I've written to you with my own hand. 12 As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they try to get you circumcised, only so they won't suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law, but desire to have you circumcised, so they can glory in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should glory, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and on the Israel of God. 17 From now on, let no man trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. 18 Brothers, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.