Finish Strong With Fearless Faith

Lawlessness in America #61 REAIR

November 07, 2022 Fearless Faith
Finish Strong With Fearless Faith
Lawlessness in America #61 REAIR
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Show Notes Transcript

Over the last couple of years, there has been a push in many American cities to "defund the police."  Many police departments are now understaffed.  As a result, there are fewer police on the streets and we're witnessing a huge spike in violent crimes in our biggest urban areas.  Many criminals are being let back out on the streets as a result of far left District Attorneys and Judges.  And to make matters worse, tens of thousands of illegal immigrants are pouring into our country bringing in many criminals and illegal drugs from other countries.  It's now hard to feel safe anywhere in our country.  What is the answer?  Where do we go from here?  Where can we find protection?

The three guys from Fearless Faith will address it all in this episode of "Finish Strong!"  Brian, Terry and Dan explore the scriptures and show how it all lines up with Biblical prophesy.  They shine a light on God's promises for protection and so much more!  Don't fear!  God will never leave you!

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Dan Wheeler:

Over the last couple of years, there's been a push in many American cities to defund the police. Some would actually like to abolish the police. The results have not been good. Crime is on the rise. We're witnessing a huge spike in violent crime in these major cities. We're going to talk about lawlessness today in this edition of finish strong. But before you get a little too dejected, or lose hope we don't want that to happen. We are going to give you hope, in the second half of this presentation, where we will talk about God's protection. I'm Dan Wheeler, I'm joined by Brian Rowland and Terry Steen, our producer, John Matarazzo. We're all here. And guys, this defund the police. How do you think that's working out in these major cities?

Brian Roland:

It's not two words. It's not.

Dan Wheeler:

That's actually three it is not.

Brian Roland:

No, it's I use the apostrophe. Okay.

Dan Wheeler:

Terry, what do you think? Yeah, it's

Terry Steen:

just every time you I was gonna say pick up the paper, but we don't pick up the paper anymore. Do we? We just look at her phone or iPad. And there's just another story. And it's, it's becoming rampid. And the sad part of it is the politicians that are we have elected to be the ones to create some of the law are picking whether they choose or want to obey him or not the same laws that they enacted, it's just the the politics have seeped so much into our society, that it's, it can be infuriating.

Dan Wheeler:

Yeah, so much hypocrisy. The other day, a lady in Chicago, some guy pumped like 15 to 20 bullets into her apartment with her and her kids in there. She called the police, the police came, this guy fired at the police and they ultimately killed him. And there were protests outside her house. And she came out and said this guy was trying to kill me and my children. What do you expect? That's what the police do. But of course, you know, according to a Washington times.com article, June 1 2022, Philadelphia experienced a record number of homicides in 2021. And it's on pace to break that record again, in 2022, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, have experienced similar issues. So you know what the problem is, Brian, not only that these crimes are on the rise. But these progressive prosecutors these far left DBAs they're not prosecuting.

Brian Roland:

They're not prosecuting. As matter of fact, I remember when we were back in California that people were getting out on $1,000 bail. So then commit whatever the crime they wanted, or letting him out and $1,000 bills, because they said the prisons were too crowded. And you think, oh my gosh, all these break ins that are happening that were never happening before. And all these armed robberies are just robberies or just people getting beat up on for no reason. And, and just pistol whip things like that are happening on the street, and these guys are getting away with it. If they were to rob something, they could fence the goods and still have money left over after they pay their bail.

Terry Steen:

Yeah, $1,000 must be the magic number, then because isn't that what whether it was San Francisco or somewhere out in California, you could go in and steal up to$1,000 in shoplift walk away? And you know, you're not gonna get charged, right? What kind of it's

Brian Roland:

just, that's where it's all gonna ride. It's like, how do they justify this? And then, of course, the people that are doing the looting and robbing like that. They're saying, you know, they're not there. They're the victims there. They're not the ones causing it and creating the conflict. And it says everything is just backwards. It's just backwards, like the Bible Central is going to be

Dan Wheeler:

Compounding the problem. We have so many illegal immigrants pouring into the country. And that includes criminals as well, and they're committing crimes. And now they want to punish some of the Border Patrol people for something that didn't even do. It's crazy,

Brian Roland:

let's say real quick that a recent survey showed that you as voters reveals and most Americans agree government is corrupt and rigged. There. Everybody's learned the majority are believing that right now. They think that said more than a quarter of US residents feel so estranged from from their government that they feel it might soon be necessary to take up arms against them. That's a feeling that's going around with people. And again, they just think it's corrupt. They think it's rigged. And we're seeing that more and more especially what was going on in Supreme Court recently. And the people that were threatening the justices, and even the president wasn't doing anything about it.

Dan Wheeler:

You know, according to that same Washington times.com article from June 1 to 2022. Drug overdose deaths are up over 36% From March 22 way to march 2021. border crisis we've got drug dealers, child trafficking, we've had over 2 million illegal immigrants since early 2021. That's just a little over a year, year and a half. Maybe. It's like, what's going on? You know, Terry, your brother in law, John Hope he quoted a verse from Second Thessalonians two three. That said, Don't let anyone deceive you in any way for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. And when he said that, in that podcast, which piano should go back and listen to that podcast, it's called approaching hoof beats. Revelation, prophecies from Revelation. But that was an eye opener to me. I'm like, here's the Bible predicts this man will be of lawlessness, and we're seeing it just increase exponentially.

Terry Steen:

Yeah, we are. And it's just, we understand it when we know there's bad people. But to me, what I can't wrap my head around is the officials that are supposed to be enforcing the law. The it's on the state level, but now it's on the national, the Justice Department is so reluctant to protect these Supreme Court justices that are having their lives threatened and an attempted murder on one of them. And this, the Justice Department isn't doing anything. And then after the the roe Wade, decision, we've had over 50 attacks in our country on pro life groups, whether it's a church and officer a center since since May is what I was reading. And this will boggle your mind. Not a single arrest. They don't care. It's

Dan Wheeler:

unbelievable. What does that make you angry? They destroyed them. They've been bombing pregnancy centers where they're trying to help these women with their children. So they act like they're about helping. They're not helping anything. It's just ridiculous. Former NYPD chief Lewis antimony recently said that we need reforms on policing because what they're doing is making it so difficult. They can't recruit they can't retain. And I know a few police from Chicago and they want out so bad. And can you blame them Brian, when all this lawlessness is going on, and people aren't even backing the police, they're saying defund the police.

Brian Roland:

That's what's been happening ever since Black Lives Matter started with Void filling, which was falling. But at the same time, everything has just seemed like like a whirlpool going down a drain, you know, everything was just falling one by one. And every one of the cities that decided to refund that place, if you notice, their crime rate has just raised like you said exponentially. And other places as well, even though they hadn't funded the police, because it is becoming just a lawless nation that we're living in. And people are just taking up arms where they want to their take their you know, I think it comes down to Dan to a lot with social media. Because everybody can throw an opinion out everybody can cancel anybody they want at any time. And when it when it grabs hold, it just starts snowballing. And no matter if you're exonerated or not, it's always alleged you were still alleged to have done this forever and ever, never. You know, it doesn't matter. And I think that is a lot thing is happening with the lawlessness and why it's happening around our country. I also believe that reason we're having lawlessness is because fewer people in the US now see the Bible as the literal word of God. Only 20% of Americans which is a record low, which was down from 24% in 2017. Say the Bible is literal word of God. And that that's half of what was back 1980 and 84. And then a new high of 29%. Say the Bible is a collection of fables, legends, history, and moral precepts recorded by men. So for the first time we're Americans view the Bible is not divinely inspired, as the literal word literal world Word of God. And I think that is where it's all coming from right there. That is the room. Well, guys,

Dan Wheeler:

can we go on record as saying fearless Faith Ministries and finish strong? believes the Bible? Yes, the inspired Word of God. I know so much of our justice system was originally based on you know, the 10 commandments and on the biblical form of justice. And God says there will be justice one day but what we're seeing is just, it's crazy and you know, it's it affects us on so many levels. I was reading that police departments are saying the fact that they're understaffed means they're no longer doing routine traffic stops and those stops often led to the discovery of illegal weapons and drugs and other tips to prevent crime. And now the criminals are so emboldened because a they're back on the street after they commit crimes. They're bringing illegal weapons in the cities, they know they won't even be stopped. It's something has to change guys or our country is in serious, serious trouble. Yeah. And

Terry Steen:

now we're the these things that we're talking about, as we talked in a prior episode with with John Hope it's the foreshadowing of the End Times. And so we realize that the Bible talks so much about justice and injustice, and everybody wants justice. But look at the even on a global level, look at how the country of Israel is treated by the majority of the world. They've turned their back on him, they've turned a blind eye. They don't give them any credit for their own support. Yeah, it's just a crazy thing. But that's, that's what the Bible tells us that that's going to begin to happen.

Dan Wheeler:

You know, guys, sometimes I think, you know, it's the younger generation and these liberal professors that are teaching kids to hate America. And so we're all the three of us are old, but we have a younger guy here. Who's producing this segment, wake up, Jon. John Matarazzo. John, know, how do you feel as a young man of what 37 years old 37 seen all Yeah, seeing this lawlessness in America? How does that affect you? Well, I,

John Matarazzo:

you know, growing up, I didn't feel what I feel now. I feel like I have to always have my head on a swivel, no matter where I am. Not like I'm living in fear. But I mean, I have been mugged at gunpoint that happened years ago. Oh, my God, you know, just knowing what's happening in the world today. It's like, okay, you kind of expect that things are going to get worse because the Bible does talk about that. But I feel like we need to continue to fight against that. Because until Jesus comes back, our job isn't done yet. And so we need to make sure that we're reaching the last with the gospel of Jesus Christ. And we can't just give up and say, it's all gonna go to hell anyway. So let's just kind of let it but it does. I guess it does scare me.

Dan Wheeler:

It is understandable, especially with what you've been through. Boy, Terry, a lot of people might be sitting there going, Wow, where's the hope and all this? I mean, it's scary. John said, you have to have your head on a swivel. I do find that when I'm out in public, especially if there's a large gathering. I'm looking around, going, where's the escape route? What would I do if somebody pulled out a gun and started shooting? You start thinking about those things?

Terry Steen:

Yeah, yeah, you do. But you know, the Bible, as powerful as it is, it has answers for us. And God is so faithful. In fact, it says in Second Thessalonians, three, three, that the Lord is faithful, that he'll establish you and guard you against the evil one. So even though we have all that around us, we know that God will establish us and guard us. When you think about a guard. This is like a bodyguard, somebody that's right there to protect you. That is going to see that you don't get hurt. You know, we have bodyguards, we have our angels around us, we have God there to protect us. And we need to be able to focus on that, you know, and Isaiah it says no weapon formed against us will prosper. So we know that even though this is all about us, He will take care of

Dan Wheeler:

us. Yeah, I always think of that verse in Isaiah 4110, fear thou not, for I am with thee, Be not dismayed for I am thy God, I will strengthen the Yale will help thee I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Brian, it's, you know, you and I have been doing a lot of research on some of these facts and statistics, and I was getting depressed. But I also get angry. And I guess that's something as Christians we have to guard against letting that anger take over. Because we don't wrestle against people. People make us mad, but there's an evil influence that's going on. We need to pray for our enemies. And but it's hard, you know, you feel like there's so many people that want to destroy America. And that's so hard not to get angered at that.

Brian Roland:

I think one of the things, Dan is that in which Florida's Bill filling with me is watching my tongue. And because I think it's, you know, when I drive, I can get upset, and I've really been trying to work on that, but it's carrying on into what I think after I watching news programmes in that, and I just want to spout out and I can't do that anymore. I could quit watching the news, as you know, I really refuse this thing, just watch it every day. But an exodus 1414 The Bible says the Lord will fight for you. And you have only to be silent. Oh, what a great verse. Yeah, he will fight for us if I can disagree and like so I'm not going to change people's minds. I'm not going to change your mind. But I'm not going to sit there now and get in people's face or come up against them. I'm just going to depend on the Lord and let him do the work because he said for me to be silent. It also says over in Proverbs 1810, the name of the Lord is a strong tower. I love this one, the righteous man's run into it and as safe. And that's what we have to look forward to. We have that we have that availability right now because we're children of the king. And he's told us that he's not going to ever leave us or forsake us. And it's better to take refuge in Him than the trusted man, which it says in Psalms 118, eight.

Dan Wheeler:

And of course, we can all go back, Terry, you know, to the story of David and Goliath. You know, everyone was shaking in their boots, they saw Goliath as just impossible to be he was unconquerable. Yeah. And David, you know, a young shepherd boy had faith, and he believed his God. And he said, I you come against me was sword, spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled. This day, the Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. And of course, we know David went running toward it, he took the fight to him, had five stones and a slingshot didn't want all the armor that Saul tried to put on one stone dropped the giant and that was obviously God at work. And as we start wrapping this up, I'm going to check with our producer and see how much time we have left. Because our time tends to go by very quickly. We're down to about seven minutes. But I feel like we need to finish strong and we can finish strong in our lives, we can move forward in our faith in God, because he's on our side. And there's so many great stories in the Bible about how God delivered his people, against all odds, overwhelming odds.

Terry Steen:

Oh, yeah, there's one of my favorite that's in the Second Kings. And it's about Alicia. I won't go into the whole story. But the backdrop is that the king of Syria was getting so frustrated because Israel was counteracting every strategic movie made and he couldn't figure out why. And then he found out that Alicia was revealing to Israel what the king has serious plans were so the Syrian King took a huge army and went and hunting for Alicia found him in a city. And it was the city of Dothan. And so in the morning, they wake up and he's got a servant with them. Let me see if I can find that. He said, it says in, he sent horses and chariots in a great army, and they surrounded the city. And the servant got up and he looked out, and there was this whole army surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And the servant said to him, Master, what shall we do? And that's kind of where we are today. We're sitting there going and talking about all this lawlessness and we're saying, what should we do? In the answers right here, this is what Alicia says. He says, Do not fear for those who are with us, or more than those who are with them. And if we could remove that spiritual blinder, and see in the spirit world, the power that's behind us, compared to the power that's in the lawlessness, and Elijah prayed, and he said, Lord opened his eyes that he may see. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire, all around Elisha. We think about fire that's symbolic of the Holy Spirit, and we have the Holy Spirit surrounding us. We have that protection. Just like Alicia and his servant had that was far more powerful than that army that was coming from Syria. And And just to finish the story. Alicia asked God to blind them. He did it. God did a miracle blinded them, and he took them in other direction and sent them back home. And God will do the same for us. He'll protect us. He'll do the miracle when the miracles needed.

Dan Wheeler:

Yeah, what a great story. I just imagine him, his servants seeing all those chariots of fire around the mouth, hallelujah, the Calvary has arrived. And that's a weekend say, Brian, the Calvary has arrived and talked about angels on this podcast. And throughout the Bible God had angels appear at critical times. And Michael is the great warring angel who's leading the troops. And when you think about it, when Lucifer fell, he took a third of the demons we've still got two thirds of the angels but more importantly we have God Almighty, right? That's right.

Brian Roland:

And try it. With Terry was just saying to I look outside my window here, and it's, there's a hill and his hedges way at the top, and I'm going, Man, I can just imagine what's standing out there. So they I just can't watch your show me that too. I'd love to see that, wouldn't you? Is that just amazing. But what you said Tara was a really important you said, chariots of fire in the fire represents the Holy Spirit. And people need to realize that when they accept Christ, in their life, the Holy Spirit is living in them, and is around them at all times. Yeah. And you can count on that a lot of people don't do that. They put that aside, they don't, they don't think of that. But they don't realize the power that they have the Holy Spirit in their life. And when they're letting their life be led by the Spirit, and by Jesus, and by God, it makes such a difference. And they can live life without fear. And they can live life without trepidation they can live life, not thinking they have to be afraid to return their walk out the door, that something's gonna happen to them, they are their bone, God has an edge of protection around them. For that reason,

Terry Steen:

I was gonna say we don't have to do it on our own. That's what we have to remember.

Dan Wheeler:

It's easy to get worried to get upset reading the news. But God is going to make all things right. And we need to be busy. We need to keep working until He comes. We need to finish strong. And we can do that. Because God is on our side. And one of my all time favorite verses is found in Romans 831, then this kind of is a great verse to wrap things up as we're winding down What then shall we say in response to this? And I take it today is in response to all the things we've discussed about lawlessness and the man of lawlessness and the spirit of lawlessness, but the conclusion is, if God is for us, who can be against us, I'm gonna give you each time for just kind of a final thought that you'd like to leave with our viewers. So, Terry, would you like to take a stab at that?

Terry Steen:

Well, I just come back to Second Thessalonians three, three that I said earlier, that if we will just remember that He will establish us, He will guard us, His Holy Spirit will encompass us. We do not need to fear that arrow that flies by day, I would encourage everybody to sit down and read Psalm 91. It's an incredible, incredible chapter that will give you comfort.

Dan Wheeler:

Amen. Brian. Well,

Brian Roland:

I would leave this with everyone. And that would be first John 518. We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the Evil One does not touch. So Amen.

Dan Wheeler:

We are protected. We are indeed and so are you if you're listening, if you don't know, the Lord is your personal savior. Ask Him into your heart today. Ask him to forgive you of your sins. turn from your sins, repent and lead a righteous life. Get a Bible start reading in the book of John. It will open your eyes to so many things. We're just three guys here who want to finish strong in our final years. We want to go hard for that finish line. And we hope that you do too. Hey, share this podcast with other people who may need to hear this. tell others about finish strong. Join us on our Facebook page, which is at FFM 60 you'll see our logo of three flames. We are fearless Faith Ministries God bless and what we hope you'll join us next time for another edition of finished strong

John Matarazzo:

Thank you for listening to finish strong. For more information about finished strong and fearless faith. Check out their website F faith.org. Make sure that you rate and review this podcast to help more people accomplish their God given purpose so that together we can finish strong