July 29, 2016

MESSAGE TO THE NEVER TRUMP VOTERS! By Rick Warzywak – State Co-Director, Michigan Oak Initiative

I believe these are biblically sound insights regarding this volatile election. Let us begin. What has Donald Trump personally done to you to not vote for him? Have you picked up an offense from someone? Why are you so critical of this man? If even the Supreme Court was the only issue to vote for him that should be enough—the future of your children and grandchildren are at stake. He has given us his pro-life constitutional sound nominations! A. BIBLICAL RESPONSE—ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS REGARDING TRUMP! Do you consider him your enemy? Do you believe he hates you; has he cursed you; has he spitefully used you; do you have bitterness in your heart towards him? How should one respond if you are a Christian conservative? "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you” (Luke 6: 27-28). “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32). “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled” (Hebrews 12:14-15).

© Copyright Oak Initiative – Oak Leaf 2016 Members Have Permission to Duplicate

Page 1

B. HAVE I PICKED UP SOMEONE’S OFFENSE AGAINST DONALD TRUMP? We must be honest here. Where did this possible doubt, anger, bitterness, frustration, and contention come from towards Donald Trump? If you have no personal relationship with Donald Trump, then you have acquired someone else’s offense. What should be the biblical response if you are a Christian conservative? “This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men” (Acts 24:16). The answer is easy as we extend forgiveness, restoration, and love towards that individual. Accusations, slander, and criticism is what nurtures division, especially in the body of Christ. A house divided cannot stand (see Matthew 12:25). As a Christian have you ever considered that the enemy of our souls may be deceiving and using those who have hardened their hearts against Trump? This could be a possibility to bring division. C. BEWARE OF PRIDE AND HARD HEARTEDNESS! I write this as a former Ted Cruz and Ben Carson supporter. I observed people who said early on they would never vote for Donald Trump no matter what. Hearts became very hard and pride settled in because to change their position now really would be an act of HUMILITY. Pride is usually accompanied by stubbornness and arrogance. Blindness is a result and a veil is put over a heart. “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (I Peter 5:6). D. I MUST VOTE MY CONSCIENCE For many this means not voting for Donald Trump. Instead they will vote third party, write-in a candidate, or maybe not vote at all. You must logically reason this out and realize it is a vote for Hillary Clinton—and what she stands for. There is no way around this. Waiting another four years would neutralize any candidate that you would prefer to be President. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: 1. Does my conscience stand for a conservative pro-life U.S. constitutionally-based Supreme Court (Trump gave us a list of pro-life constitutionally sound judges that he would nominate)? 2. Does my conscience allow a candidate to take office who would most assuredly nominate liberal judges that would impact my children and grandchildren’s lives for the next forty years (look at Trump’s nominations)? 3. Does my conscience agree with restoring the rule of law and order in our nation (Trump will restore that)? 4. Does my conscience agree with protecting Christian liberties, our freedom of speech, and eliminating the 501(c)3 tax status so pastors could speak freely (Trump said he would do all of these)? 5. Does my conscience realize that our present open borders is allowing in gang cartels, ISIS, and Muslim extremists that endanger all American lives, including my own family possibly (Trump understands)? © Copyright Oak Initiative – Oak Leaf 2016 Members Have Permission to Duplicate

Page 2

6. Does my conscience allow NO vetting of refugees from nations who are predominantly Muslim (Trump will vet and stop this illegal immigration—Hillary will not and increase immigration)? 7. Does my conscience see radical Islam as a threat and realize it must be addressed? (According to Ret. Lt. General Jerry Boykin a Cruz campaigner said we must vote for Trump and has Generals advising Trump.) 8. Does my conscience see the plight of people in our inner cities and jobs needed to bring hope back to all minority groups (policies of last eight years have failed)? 9. Does my conscience support police, our military, and border agents who need our help and they overwhelmingly support Donald Trump? 10. Does my conscience realize that Common Core in our educational system is detrimental to our children (Trump would eliminate)? 11. Does my conscience see that Obamacare is destroying our health care system in America (Trump will repeal and reinvent new strategy)? 12. Does my conscience see a need to preserve our second amendment as it was designed to stop oppressive government (Trump said he would protect—endorsed by NRA)? 13. Does my conscience favor Socialism/Globalism or freedom (Hillary is a pure progressive socialist and globalist)? 14. Does my conscience value having a Christian on the Presidential ticket and Christians advising the President (Pence and a Christian advisory team has been assembled)? Hmmmmmmmmmmm 15. Does my conscience allow me to judge another person’s heart (Trump) when the Bible says only God looks at the motive and intents of the heart? SO MUCH MORE—this is a beginning! My conscience gives me the responsibility to look out for the future of my children and grandchildren so they can lead a peaceable and godly life. So I will pray for those in authority with all my heart, which will be the Trump/Pence team (see I Timothy 2:1-5). I will continue to pray for Hillary Clinton—that her eyes would be opened and also for our current President Obama. Many have been praying for them over the years, but they have chosen to harden their hearts it appears. With Donald Trump I can see a veil being lifted and his eyes being opened. If we diligently pray for him and stop the accusations, the Scripture below will manifest because he is open to a biblical worldview paradigm. “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Proverbs 21:1). E. I CANNOT VOTE FOR THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS Many consider Trump evil and Hillary Clinton more evil. When have we ever NOT voted for the lesser of two evils? The only perfect candidate is Jesus Christ! Reflect back on all those you have voted for. You will see that all men are flawed in one way or another. When Mitt Romney ran he belonged to what many consider a cult and did not have many of the conservative positions that Donald Trump has. Did you vote for George W. Bush, who was a member of secret societies and said that Islam and Christianity serve the same God? I could easily point out the flaws in Ted Cruz © Copyright Oak Initiative – Oak Leaf 2016 Members Have Permission to Duplicate

Page 3

as this election process unfolded—dishonesty and name calling. I understand that he is just a man as you and I—and under extreme pressure. May we consider biblical examples that characterize different types of individuals? We see in the Bible that there are individuals that God used or anointed to carry out His purposes but yet did not acknowledge Him (Cyrus - Isaiah 45:1-6). Isn’t it interesting we are electing the 45th President of the United States? We must be fair and see that God uses individuals for His purposes that are not saved or recognize Him. What about King Artaxerxes when he allowed Nehemiah to build the wall? Read Nehemiah 1 and 2 and see how God used a king who did not recognize Him. God frequently used Old Testament kings who did not tear down all the evil altars but still blessed them. When I assess Donald Trump I realize that he did not deny Christ like Peter did three times. He did not have Christians persecuted or killed like the Apostle Paul when he was Saul. Quite the contrary, Donald Trump said he would protect Christian liberties and eliminate the 501(c)3 tax status so pastors can speak their mind about any political issue. I see how God could use David who committed adultery and had Bathsheba’s husband literally killed. Donald Trump said he has acknowledged Christ as Savior. We have the right to question that but still cannot judge his heart. At least we have something to work with and pray that God would surround him with godly counsel. He has appointed a Christian advisory team around him. I believe Ben Carson and Mike Pence will be a great influence upon him. F. STOP THE ACCUSATIONS AND LOOK FOR THE GOOD The Christian attitude should be to pray, exhort, encourage, and look for the good in Donald Trump. If he has accepted Christ as some Christian leaders have indicated, is he in a growth process? All new Christians go through it. We see the terminology in the Bible: a babe in Christ, young, and then mature in Christ. We have no idea the pressures that he feels in this volatile election process. It is easy for armchair critics to complain, murmur, and grumble. The Bible clearly warns us against this type of attitude. Look for the good and speak life and blessings into this individual as well as his family. That is always the safest and higher ground to take. G. WHAT ABOUT DONALD TRUMP’S PAST My first question would be what about your past? What about my own past? As we look at our friends, family, acquaintances, who need to have a true relationship in the Lord Jesus Christ—do you throw up their past into their face? That is the purpose of the Holy Spirit to bring conviction! Today is a new day. If we pray as a church united and not divided we could very easily see that Donald Trump’s past is the past—and he has a turning of the heart slow as it may seem. May we as a praying church bear his burdens and pray for his family as well. How many of us know Christians who after initially accepting Jesus Christ reverted back into some old destructive ways? Should we not be a people who would pray, encourage, uplift, and exhort those people so they could be restored? Treat Donald Trump as if he was one of your own children or a good friend. Our nation hangs in the balance and God has given the church the opportunity and responsibility to shift a nation. Maybe work together as one! WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TRANSFORMING A CULTURE? It is the job of the church to transform a culture towards a biblical worldview. The grassroots church must rise up and contend for the faith in issues of morality. So many times we think the © Copyright Oak Initiative – Oak Leaf 2016 Members Have Permission to Duplicate

Page 4

other person will do it. No President that would be elected can transform a culture. A President may help in the process, but it is people such as you and I who must engage our sphere of influence so America can exemplify Proverbs 14:34 where it says only righteousness can exalt the nation. The blame must be placed on the church for the condition of our culture and nation— not any one elected official! God bless, Rick Warzywak – State Co-Director, Michigan Oak Initiative www.theoakintiative.org

____________________________________________________________________ Rick Warzywak is: Co-Director of the Michigan Oak Initiative Director of Transformation Michigan www.TransformMI.com Co-Director/Founder of MICHOP.org (Michigan Capitol House of Prayer) University Campus Evangelist Co-Leader of Moravian Night Watch with Lou Engle and TheCall Present 2016 State Field Captain for Franklin Graham MI decision America Tour

© Copyright Oak Initiative – Oak Leaf 2016 Members Have Permission to Duplicate

Page 5