FROM THE HEART OF DR. REXELLA VAN IMPE

Seeing America Without Rose-Colored Glasses

Not long ago Dr. Van Impe and I were having dinner in a little restaurant near our home. As we were eating, a friend of ours came in with her little granddaughter for their evening meal.

The little girl ran up to me and exclaimed, “Oh, Mrs. Van Impe, see my new sunglasses! They make everything look so pretty.”

I had to smile at her childish exuberance. And after our darling little friend went with her grandmother to their own table, I exclaimed to my husband, “No wonder everything appears so pretty to her—she’s looking through rose-colored glasses!”

Each year we celebrate the birth of the United States and our nation’s independence. As we gratefully consider the blessings and benefits of living in our great land, it’s easy to allow our view of America to be colored just a bit too rosy.

Having traveled in 50 countries around the world, I must say that each time I return to my beloved homeland I am tempted to look at America through rose-colored glasses. At times I’ve actually had to restrain myself from running from the plane and kissing the ground, as I thanked God for America.

But I recognize that my country has some alarming faults and problems. While the United States may seem to be in great shape when compared to all the other countries in the world, when we measure ourselves against God’s standard there is much cause for concern.

It seems to me there has been too much compromising—too much relaxation among all our citizens.

We’ve relaxed our attitude toward hard work and doing our best. We’ve lowered our standards of excellence and discarded our pride of accomplishment.

Do you ever feel that American workers are more interested in time off and leisure activities than in the quantity and quality of the work they do? Someone has said the prevailing attitude now seems to be, “Don’t put yourself out—that’s good enough.”

And while most Americans are still generous and helpful to people suffering need or calamity, there is a growing tendency to look the other way and say, “It’s none of my business” or “I don’t want to get involved.”

I’m also concerned that our society—in the name of tolerance and individual liberty— has stood by and let our community standards of decency, morality, and ethics be trampled underfoot by vulgar, unscrupulous, and dishonest men. When will we learn there is no virtue in failing to stand up for what we believe? There is no right way to do the wrong thing!

It’s time for us to wake up, rise up, speak up! It’s time to take off our rose-colored glasses and look at our nation, our neighborhood, and our home in the cold, clear light of day. It’s time to start seeing ourselves through God’s eyes—the way he sees us!

How can we make America better? I believe with all my heart we must stop waiting for someone else to take action and do what we can, where we are! After all, a nation is people, and we can influence people. We can win them, lead them, guide them. And the best way to accomplish that is by our own personal example.

Be a Christian example of a good citizen

The Apostle Paul urged: Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity (1 Timothy 4:12).

That verse doesn’t need much explaining, does it? Our very word, deed, and attitude must be Christ-like and set a leadership pattern that will inspire those around us. Paul went on to say in verse 16, For in doing this thou shall both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

The thirteenth chapter of Romans deals with our Christian duty to the state and the duties of citizenship. We are instructed to obey the government and the laws of the land, and to pay our taxes.

As Christians, we should pray about everything that touches our lives and others. Our desire should always be for God’s will to be done. I believe we should pray for those in authority over us, including our President, and state and local officials.

By being good Christians in our daily walk, we really can make America a better and stronger nation.

Get involved in the issues that shape America

Throughout the Bible, God expected His people to be involved in their country. When a nation was threatened by an enemy force, the king himself led the army. The citizens made up the ranks, or supplied needed provisions—then honored the heroes and celebrated the victory!

It’s time we as Christians get more involved in every aspect of our country. It is right that we let our voices be heard on matters concerning religious freedom. But we must also be interested and actively involved in the social, moral, and political issues affecting America.

I’m tired of hearing people say contemptuously, “Politics is a dirty business and I don’t want to have anything to do with it. After all, sooner or later all politicians turn out to be crooks.” Almost always you’ll find that those people never attend a public hearing or forum, never support a particular cause or candidate, fail to learn the facts about important issues (often believing and spreading untruths)—and perhaps seldom vote…unless it’s against something or somebody.

I’ve had the privilege of getting personally acquainted with many elected officials, from the federal government in Washington, D.C., on down to the local level. I’ve discovered that there are many, many dedicated, honest, and hardworking public servants. One of their greatest concerns is that citizens too often are not interested in what goes on in government, and not enough of them get involved.

No matter what the cynics say, what you think and what you do does make a difference. You can help change things. Your voice is heard.

The Word of God commands us to abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good (Romans 12:9). I believe this requires more than lip service. We must get off the sidelines and into the mainstream. It’s time to stop saying, “Somebody ought to do something,” and start doing it!

If you share my concern about the devastating impact of abortion on the very soul of our country, I urge you to get involved. While we should never resort to violence, destruction, or other illegal acts as some misguided protesters have done, we can and should speak out at every opportunity. Perhaps you can help in a pro-life clinic, or actually provide support and assistance to a pregnant girl who otherwise might feel she had no choice but abortion.

Recently I heard about a group of citizens in Oklahoma who were concerned about the blatant pornography being openly displayed in convenience stores before the curious eyes of children. They spoke out against it! So effective were their efforts that one chain of stores removed the offensive magazines from its shelves altogether, others moved them behind the counter, out of sight—and the city government began drafting an ordinance to control the display and sale of sexually-oriented publications.

In thousands of schools, businesses, churches, and homes across our nation, multitudes of people have gotten involved in a grass roots effort to help the starving millions in Ethiopia and other famine-stricken African countries. One school in New York received national attention when its students (all from poor or low income homes) raised several hundred thousand dollars to buy and transport food to Africa. Their example inspired similar efforts in communities from coast to coast.

Involvement is tremendously fulfilling personally—and it gets things done. Look around you for what needs to be done—and set out to do it!

Let’s have revival!

I love to read about the impact some of the great men of God had upon our country in their day. The record shows that when spiritual giants like Whitefield, Wesley, Finney, and a host of others conducted their great revivals in America, they closed down the saloons, and crime decreased.

Now we often have so-called evangelistic meetings that have almost no impact—some church members aren’t even aware there is a meeting going on!

Our nation needs a revival of old-fashioned, Bible-based, life-changing salvation, and faith in God. The people of the United States need a renewed appreciation for God’s goodness and an increased awareness of their dependence upon Him.

You and I must be part of a new emphasis on evangelism and the Church, on winning people to Christ. The more people we get to accept the Lord Jesus, the better our country is going to be.

We must start where we are—in our house, our neighborhood, our community. Perhaps it is true that we personally cannot reach the entire world—but we can reach our world.

I love that beautiful song that expresses the prayer, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” Each of us can adapt that prayer and cry out, “Let there be revival in America, and let it start in my house…in my heart.”

Oh, may we love our country and its people in a real, practical way, like we’ve never loved before. Let’s take off our rose-colored glasses and see America as God sees it. Let’s allow Him to wash our eyes with tears of repentance and intercession.

Let’s join hands across this nation and work together for Christ until we make our country God’s country!

A CLASSIC MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE

America, We Love You

“My country, ’tis of thee. Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing…Long may our land be bright, With freedom’s holy light; Protect us by Thy might. Great God, our King.”

I love America—the greatest nation on the face of the earth. She has always been a bulwark of liberty and freedom for all, and I pray that this may always be true of my homeland.

My parents left Belgium for “the land of the free and the home of the brave” in 1929, the year of “The Great Depression.” During the next 48 months, they experienced extreme deprivation and heartache, eking out a mere existence. Nevertheless, America— even in her worst hour of economic crisis—allowed Oscar and Louise Van Impe to enjoya higher standardof living than they had ever known.

Mom and Dad speak with great pride of the glorious day when they became naturalized citizens of the United States of America. The experience has lived in their memories for a lifetime. As their son, I continually thank God for having been born in the land of their dreams.

Yes, the Van Impe family honestly, sincerely, loudly, and dogmatically wants the world to know that we love America! Our feelings can be best expressed by quoting a portion of an editorial which appeared in an issue of Christianity Today magazine:

I am American and I am patriotic. I am not a blind patriot, for I am an evangelical whose patriotism is formed by the Bible and tempered by biblical realism. When I fly over New York harbor, I scan the horizon for the lady of liberty. Tears roll down my cheeks and a lump rises in my throat. Without apology, I salute the flag, and pledge my allegiance to my country. I identify with Nathan Hale and regret that I have only one life to give for my country. I pay my taxes [and] vote at (almost) every opportunity. I want to be a good citizen and a loyal American for Christ’s sake.

I love America, and I am thankful for this country. Thankful for what? I am thankful that I live in a land: where pilgrim fathers first set foot on these shores in search of freedom to worship God according to the dictates of their conscience; where founding fathers believed that human freedom was worth fighting for; where statesmen first formed a union to preserve those liberties and recognized that all true and legitimate governments are constituted for the welfare of the people; where citizens valued education and dotted this land with schools from kindergarten to university; where leaders risked the existence of this Union to extend its liberty to all races; where courts have gradually implemented these rights to make the law a reality; where women are not slaves, but are honored and protected as persons to whom all rights as full persons must be granted; where we are free to worship God as we choose, and our constitution guarantees that no alien religion or irrel-igion will be forced upon us in public schools; where one may freely choose his life’s work, and jobs are relatively well paid; where one can be a conscientious objector; where we imprint “In God We Trust” on our coins, appoint chaplains, and pray for our congressmen; where educational opportunities are available to all,andhigher education to most; where we can vote out of office those who stand for what we deem wrong; where policemen are generally on my side and who consider it their main duty to protect me.

I am an American and proud of my country. I love my country, but because I love it, I seek to improve it; and to improve it, I must judge it. But to weigh and to judge and to seek to improve are not incompatible with patriotism and love of country. Rather, they are expressions of highest love—informed, intelligent, sacrificial love—biblical love, that is. And so, as a biblically informed patriot, I love America, I honor and, under God, I serve America. God willing, under appropriate circumstances, I might even dare to die for this country.

In Defense of the Flag

“An incident occurred a few years ago on the campus of San Diego State University where a riotous crowd had gathered. Their objective was to take down and destroy the American flag. They were screaming and threatening vengeance on the U.S. government, and menacing any who opposed them.

“A navy veteran who was on his way to a class, saw the riotous crowd. He was a man who had seen service aboard an aircraft carrier in Vietnam. As he weighed 250 pounds, he had undergone tryouts with two national football leagues.

“He calmly walked to the flagpole, took the flag and raised it to the top and then stood there alone for three-and-a-half hours, defying the crowd and defending the flag.

“He said, ‘I was born under that flag; I fought under that flag and I am going to college because of what it stands for!’

“Now that veteran not only has the satisfaction of knowing that he defended the flag and that for which it stands, but he was rewarded with the highest award of the Freedoms Foundation. He received the George Washington award and a $5,000 check!”

This article blessed me immensely. I am tired of the punks who do nothing but criticize our nation as they live and loaf off of checks provided by the government. Anyone who believes life to be more enjoyable, worthwhile, and rewarding in a socialistic nation should carefully consider the following report.

Russian Prisoner Update

“The number of Evangelicals being held in Soviet prisons and concentration camps has risen to hundreds, Soviet authorities are bent on destroying the Church of Jesus Christ. They attack believers, interrogate children, raid homes, tear down prayer tents, disrupt services, imprison pastors, confiscate printing equipment, isolate Christian prisoners from their families, and put Christians in psychiatric hospitals.

“Three imprisoned pastors are seriously ill. They were each sentenced to five years hard labor for actively preaching the gospel and evangelizing children and young people.

“Solitary confinement is used to punish prisoners. It is a small, cold cell, often underground, no windows, stone walls and floors. The prisoner is barefoot and stripped to his underwear. Food rations are meager: watery soup and a piece of bread once every other day. Confinement lasts usually 10-15 days. Afterward, the prisoner is so weak physically that he can barely stand. Nevertheless, he is forced to return to work immediately.

“Life in a concentration camp is cruel. Sometimes camp officials order prisoners to beat other prisoners. The beatings are terrible. Even when the prisoner loses consciousness they still keep beating him.”

Presently, we hear a lot of griping about our nation. Still, 1 have personally visited and ministered in 50 nations of the world. Believe me when I say that there is no place like home! Even in this hour of deep economic distress, we are wealthy in comparison to the thousands I saw sleeping in the streets of Cairo, Egypt. That would be the only bed most of them would ever know.

Again, when you and I complain about a few meatless days as we attempt to balance our household budget, we need to remember the millions—yea, approximately one billion—who go to bed hungry night after night, wishing for just a handful of rice. This is the picture internationally as millions of laborers receive less than $100 annually in wages. (Ioften chuckle as 1 watch the television reports concerning “hungry Americans” because most of the chronic complainers are in the 220-pound category!)

We have been so blessed individually that we seldom stop to thank God for the great nation which has made it possible—America. U.S. News & World Report states, “Even in recession and with millions unemployed, the U.S. economy remains unrivaled in the world for its output of goods and services.”

No other nation on earth even comes close to the USA in productivity. In fact, just 25 eastern states virtually equal the output of the Soviet Union. California exceeds Africa and Pennsylvania equals Australia in economic power. In one year the United States produces $2.6 trillion in goods and services versus $9.6 trillion for the remainder of the world.

Why has God so blessed America? I believe the answer is that this nation has been basically good, under God.

America’s Goodness and Godliness

In Deuteronomy 11:26-28, God says. Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.

For decades, pulpits thundered the truth of this text, making and keeping America “one nation, under God.” This is what Alexis de Tocqueville witnessed as he traveled throughout our nation. He said, “I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there.

“I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her fertile fields and boundless forests, and it was not there.

“I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her public school system and her institutions of learning, and it was not there.

“Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her PULPITS aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.

“America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.”

Yes, our greatness came into being because our foundations and roots were anchored in God and the Bible. For example, the Mayflower Compact, signed November 11, 1620, began, “In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten… have undertaken, for the glory of God, the advancement of the Christian faith.” Again, the final sentence of the Declaration of Independence contains a declaration upon Almighty God. George Washington, in his first inaugural address, given on April 30, 1789, directed supplications to God for His continued blessings upon the formation of our new government.

America’s educational system used the McGuffey Reader for nearly 100 years. This series was loaded with the Word of God. In fact, one story in every four was a biblical narration. Some of the lessons with religious instructions were: “The Hour of Prayer,” “Religions, the Only Basis of Society,” “Control Your Temper,” “The Bible and the Best of Classics,” “The Baptism,” “The Folly of Intoxication,” and “Beware of the First Drink.”

Today, through the influence of one loud-mouthed atheist, the Bible has been virtually eliminated from the curriculum of the American educational system. The result? Righteousness has been replaced by debasing and debauching trash—and God has been replaced by Karl Marx!

U.S. News & World Report stated. “A small but determined band of radical teachers is giving college students a different view of history, sociology, political science, and economics. Their target: the American capitalistic system. What do the radicals believe? A majority share the belief that the views of Karl Marx are increasingly applicable to modem life.”

If these radicals are correct, it is only because a growing proportion of modern society is beginning to live and act as Mary did. (See chapter 11.)

America’s Defilement

By replacing righteousness with trash, and God with Marx, the predicted results are becoming evident. The Detroit News recently reported that 10 public schools in that city are “near a state of anarchy.” When revolutionaries with Ph.D. degrees teach revolution, revolutionary anarchists are created! Look at the mess humanistic educators have spawned since God has been dethroned in America. Our nation has never been in such a state of degradation and hopelessness. Truly, America is laden with iniquity. The pollution inundating the land centers around:

1. Drunkenness, culturally identified as “alcoholism.” Ten million inebriates drink themselves into insensibility on a continual basis while millions more spend billions on booze annually.

2. Drug addiction, which mars and scars another 10 million in our nation.

3. Tobacco, which pollutes both lungs and land to the tune of $10 billion per year.

4. Gambling, which robs needy millions through governmentally controlled lotteries and mafia-dominated casinos in the amount of $60 billion each year.

5. Prostitution and pimping, which spreads disease and shame to nine million Americans every 12 months—and costs $25 to $100 per act.

6. Homosexuality, which seeks to arrogantly, egotistically, blatantly, and publicly boast about its perverted members.

7. Smut peddling, which spreads sexual filth via magazine racks throughout the nation. This satan-ically inspired garbage is found everywhere—including the corner grocery store! Christians should rise up in arms, boycott establishments loaded with soul-destroying adulterous materials, and patronize the businesses of decent Americans.

8. Immoral lepers, who also plague the nation. As a result, millions are carrying illegitimate babies. Thousands of the victims are 11 to 13 years of age. It appears that high school sex education courses have stimulated rather than educated our children. Young man, young woman, mom and dad, beware—They that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same (Job 4:8).

9. Abortion, which is the murder of the unwanted babies produced by the immoral lepers. This sin has reached epidemic proportions—claiming 15 million innocent lives since 1973!

10. Euthanasia or “mercy killing,” which is also being openly advocated. In fact, Drs. Watson and Crick, the famous Nobel prize-winning discoverers of the DNA molecule, have both recommended the practice. Dr. Crick advocates compulsory death for all at the age 80. This is the ultimate deed of a depraved society, created by human beings who have decided to play God.

11. Murder. This age-old sin, born of a wanton disrespect for human life, currently stalks every area of the country, claiming 50,000 victims annually.

12. Robbing and looting, which flood America on a daily basis as one segment of society plunders and pillages the lifetime accumulations of others.

Facing the Facts

I believe that the motion picture and television industries have played a major role in glorifying and thus spreading the decadence described in the preceding paragraphs. In fact, U.S. News & World Report quotes David E. Silber, professor of psychology at George Washington University, who states, “There is a lot of evidence to suggest that some people model their behavior on what they observe.” Likewise, Roger Ebbert of the Chicago Sun Times says, “Recent violent acts in our city have been attributed to the inspiration provided by movies. God save the kids of this generation from the dreams they are storing away.”

Ultimately, however, the blame for the present condition of our nation must come to rest at the feet of the individual citizen—particularly the Christian. God has invested him with the responsibility of maintaining the never-ending battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil (see 1 John 2:15-17).

Mortan A. Hill, president of Morality in Media and a member of the Presidential Commission on Obscenity and Pornography, believes that the influence of secular humanism in America has duped the public into believing that it has to accept everything with no right of dissent. He states that millions of Americans have also accepted the philosophy that there is no right or wrong. “We already have federal, state, and local laws making it a crime to traffic in obscenity,” says Mr. Hill, “but the public does not care enough to demand law enforcement.”

The Road Back to Godliness and Greatness

No nation can continue indefinitely under such sinful circumstances. The Bible says. Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). Sin can only produce disaster, both for individuals and nations alike. This is why Psalm 9:17 declares, The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

The solution? Second Chronicles 7:14: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways: then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

I pray that every Christian reading this message will here and now accept his God-given responsibility to help return America to the godliness and greatness she has known in the past. If we do not, all that we have accomplished through 212 years of “liberty and justice for all” will soon be only history! Yes, Alexis de Tocqueville, you were right. If America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.

CHANGED LIVES-one at a time

Dear Dr. Rexella:

I thought I’d take this opportunity to thank you for saving my soul and, by association, the souls of my children.

You see, I was never raised with any word of God in the home, but I was always curious. One day, when I was in my early twenties, I sat down at home for lunch and caught your show on my TV. My curiosity wouldn’t let me change the channel.

At that time, Jack was speaking of the automated bank cards and a cashless society. I’d never heard of or seen any bank cards at that time, so I thought the idea a little preposterous. Low and behold, just over a year later, I received a bank card in the mail…sent by my bank! I no longer doubted anything Dr. Jack and Rexella had to say and I’ve been watching your show ever since. I am always the curious student of Bible study.

I was baptized at the age of 33 and had my children baptized as well. I’ve heard my share of mocking commentary (even from family) as I’ve given my life over to God. There are times when God is all I’ve had to rely on to get me through some harsh days and I will never regret my decision to have Him in our lives.

So…I will always be indebted to you for saving my life as well as the lives of my children. Thank you again and know that the work you do for God will always touch someone, somewhere, so stay strong, healthy and brave and keep up the wonderful work you do. I wish you both many blessings.

Joyce

HIGHLIGHTED MINISTRY OFFERS

Awake America 2020

In the final weeks of his life, Bible prophecy expert Dr. Jack Van Impe poured his heart into preparation for a powerful television special that he wanted broadcast around the world.

He gave clear direction for content for the program, and interfaced with Dr. Rexella Van Impe and the board of directors to make sure this message went out.

Awake America 2020 shines the spotlight on these latter days, sounds the alarm that the return of the Lord is at hand, and delivers an urgently needed message to multitudes.

This video includes the complete, unabridged program – more than we had time to broadcast on television! Be sure to share it with your friends, family, and church!

Praying for America

Dr. Robert Jeffress of Pathway to Victory and First Baptist Church Dallas is an influential speaker, Christian leader and his book Praying for America will show you how your prayers can help return the USA to being one nation, under God

Each chapter combines an inspiring story from America’s past with specific prayers for America’s future that will lead to God’s blessing in the nation we love. (These prayers can be used for any nation!)