2 Corinthians 3:18
18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
Glory...a church word. What does it mean? You can get a good understanding from looking at the two words that are translated "glory" in the OT and NT... Hebrew is kabod which means "heaviness" or "weightiness" and then the Greek word is doxa which means a light that shines from something brilliant. Basically, the glory of God is the evidence that He is at work in the world. James MacDonald, a Christian pastor/writer, said in his work Vertical Church, that as "wet is to water, so glory is to God" or as "heat is to fire, so glory is to God." or as "light is to bulb, so glory is to God."
So what does that look like? The promise in 2 Corinthians is clear...when Christ reveals Himself to us and we accept the reality of Him as Savior and Lord, we can stop "trying" to recreate ourselves. We reflect what God is doing in the World, in/outside/around ourselves and as we do that, God does the work to perfect and remake us more and more into evidence that He's at work on the earth ("glory"- the evidence that God has been at work).
What does that mean for us?
It means that my job is to reflect what God is doing like a mirror...the language is literally that of a reflective surface reflecting God's doxa or light that comes from something brilliant. Here's some implications for us that we can learn from the mirror analogy.
A mirror only reflects what it focuses on. If I focus on my fears, I reflect them. If I focus on my inadequacies, I reflect them. If I focus on problems, I reflect them and to be a God glorifying person, I can't do that. I must focus on the work all around me that God is doing...there is no shortage of evidence. Ever seen that person who is always hopeful, no matter how bad things are. They aren't ignoring the bad, they are trusting in God's work behind the scenes because they've already seen it too many times to know that it's there.
If the mirror is dirty, then it doesn't reflect so well. For Christians, dirt happens when we stop following God's plan and choose to follow our own desires instead or when we sin. Isaiah 59:2 tells us that sin hinders the connection with God. That's a double duty metaphor because then we are dirty, but we also are not pointed toward Christ and therefore aren't able to reflect God's glory, we are reflecting something else. That's why God gives us access to "cleaner" so to speak 24/7, because He knows we'll get dirty...inevitable...so 1 John 1:9 tells us that if we confess our sins to Him, He's faithful and just to forgive our sins and CLEANSE us from all unrighteousness.
Here's our normal plan for when we aren't up to snuff, we think we need to hide and bargain with God...like He doesn't know or He didn't plan for that...like we are putting Him out. We try to "make up" for stuff by going to church more or being "better" or sacrificing something to punish ourselves...whatever. We are all about trying to make the mirror "look" better, thinking that this squares things with God. Really all that does is clutter up the mirror with things that make it harder to reflect God's work, because if you are going to reflect God's work, you can't look perfect, because God's work and the evidence of that requires being honest about your imperfections...not ignoring them or you doing some Herculean task to correct them yourself. As you reflect God, He reshapes you and you become the "evidence that God has been at work" in your own life. Because here's the thing...
The mirror can't add anything to what it reflects, because it's not about the mirror, it's about the reflection.
Picasso doesn't want me to honor him by giving my best at a painting and then run around and tell everyone that Picasso did that...he'd roll over in his grave screaming "no, no,no". I can't add to God's glory by dressing myself up OR by just doing what I do and if it turns out well, just passing credit to God.
We see athletes all the time that hit a home run and point to the sky or someone receive an award and say "to God be the glory"...like giving God glory means I do something cool and generously hand God the credit for that and isn't He lucky to have me. That's ridiculous...Isaiah tells us that anything good that we could do...ANYTHING...is as filthy rags next to God's work...so the evidence of our work isn't in the same league as the evidence of God's work. We can't add to what God does...we can only point to it or reflect it...and that's all we have to do.
If we think it's about the mirror and we begin to compare mirrors among us and those with more attractive, cooler or more talented mirrors may think or be thought of as better, when that's a fail, because there is one standard...Jesus...and one job...reflection.
The athletes that really get it aren't the ones that in one instance they thank God, but the ones that reflect Christ at all times, not just on the big stage, because that verb literally means that at each moment this action is happening and true and there is no end in sight.
What we see is the truth of 1 Peter 5:6 that if you "humble yourself under the Mighty Hand of God" -- you submit to His ways, His direction, reflecting His character and direction in what you do -- that "He will raise you up in due time". Just like if I covered a small object with my hand completely, if you tried to see it, you would only see my hand....when we humble ourselves under the Mighty Hand of God, when people look at us, they only see God's hand at work in us, around us or through us...and God keeps reshaping us. Then, as that happens, I'm not trying to pretty up my mirror, God does that in a way that is permanent and lasting, not my quick fix or duct tape engineering...in fact, the mirror doesn't get fixed, it gets remade and the improvements are things I stuck in my schedule or a new habit learned, but I'm literally different in a way that I couldn't have made myself if I tried.
And that's the beauty of understanding this part of following Jesus...it's not on me, it's on Him and He does the work. It's hard at times, but it's not my performance that God wants, but my reflective surface...and He does the rest.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Chaos and evil of every kind...one possible source
Is your life in chaos or disorder or are you having a hard time obeying God...do you feel a restless lack of comfort and dissatisfaction...consider James 3:16 as one possible diagnostic test for the Christ follower.
"For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind."
James 3:16 (NIRV)
When we are looking at other situations or other people and desiring what they have, rather than attempting to be one with where God has us, it's a problem. We are in the exact situation we are in because God has allowed our choices to take us here or He has supernaturally placed us here to learn about who He is, to teach us about ourselves and to help us teach others about Him. When our own plans for success override the acceptance of God's direction, we are, even in our hearts, rebelling against God's will at this point in our lives...It is causing the irritation or frustration in our lives.
Philippians 4:12 is a verse I quote often, because it sets up a famous verse that everyone seems to quote and sometimes, misunderstand the meaning of...
12 I know what it’s like not to have what I need. I also know what it’s like to have more than I need. I have learned the secret of being content no matter what happens. I am content whether I am well fed or hungry. I am content whether I have more than enough or not enough.
Philippians 4:12 (NIRV)
Here's what verse is set up by this..
13 I can do everything by the power of Christ. He gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 (NIRV)
"For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind."
James 3:16 (NIRV)
When we are looking at other situations or other people and desiring what they have, rather than attempting to be one with where God has us, it's a problem. We are in the exact situation we are in because God has allowed our choices to take us here or He has supernaturally placed us here to learn about who He is, to teach us about ourselves and to help us teach others about Him. When our own plans for success override the acceptance of God's direction, we are, even in our hearts, rebelling against God's will at this point in our lives...It is causing the irritation or frustration in our lives.
Philippians 4:12 is a verse I quote often, because it sets up a famous verse that everyone seems to quote and sometimes, misunderstand the meaning of...
12 I know what it’s like not to have what I need. I also know what it’s like to have more than I need. I have learned the secret of being content no matter what happens. I am content whether I am well fed or hungry. I am content whether I have more than enough or not enough.
Philippians 4:12 (NIRV)
Here's what verse is set up by this..
13 I can do everything by the power of Christ. He gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 (NIRV)
Thursday, November 15, 2012
2/3, Palm Bay and Christ
It's important to take note of the scope of reality where you live and minister at times, just to remember why time is precious.
Palm Bay Statistics
103,190 - Population in 2010
39 - the % of population that is affiliated with some religious congregation...(40,244)
61 - the % of population that has no identity with any community of faith...(62.946)
-11 - the % under the national average (50%)
2 out of every 3 people you meet in the city not only do not attend church regularly, but don't even have a church that they WOULD identify with to attend if they were to decide to go...again, that's 62.946 out of 103,190
Breakdown of affiliation of the 39% that are affiliated with a religious congregation... (40,244)
19,719 - the number of Catholics that claim a church (49% of the 39% or 19% of the total pop)
6,439 - the number of Southern Baptists that claim a church (16% of the 39% or 6% of the total pop)
4,024 - the number of United Methodists that claim a church (10% of the 39% or 4% of total pop)
12,073 - the rest of the 39% that claim identity with anything classified as a church - Christ following or not - anything from Non-denominational to a cult or whatever... (30% of the 39% or 11% of total pop)
Understanding that...at this point...it is a reasonable inference that 60% of the population (63000 +), at least, has no relationship with Christ at all...and probably more....and without some change, will die for eternity...
So when you walk into the convenience store tomorrow to pay for your gas...take a quick count of how many people are in there...take a quick count of your classroom, teachers...2/3... 2/3
To my fellow church leaders in our city...this is why we do not have the luxury to play it safe... 2/3
#realitysetsin #norosyfuzzyfeelinghere #notacceptable #interestedhowGodwillsolvethis #willhavetobeGod #hopeIgettoseethat
Palm Bay Statistics
103,190 - Population in 2010
39 - the % of population that is affiliated with some religious congregation...(40,244)
61 - the % of population that has no identity with any community of faith...(62.946)
-11 - the % under the national average (50%)
2 out of every 3 people you meet in the city not only do not attend church regularly, but don't even have a church that they WOULD identify with to attend if they were to decide to go...again, that's 62.946 out of 103,190
Breakdown of affiliation of the 39% that are affiliated with a religious congregation... (40,244)
19,719 - the number of Catholics that claim a church (49% of the 39% or 19% of the total pop)
6,439 - the number of Southern Baptists that claim a church (16% of the 39% or 6% of the total pop)
4,024 - the number of United Methodists that claim a church (10% of the 39% or 4% of total pop)
12,073 - the rest of the 39% that claim identity with anything classified as a church - Christ following or not - anything from Non-denominational to a cult or whatever... (30% of the 39% or 11% of total pop)
Understanding that...at this point...it is a reasonable inference that 60% of the population (63000 +), at least, has no relationship with Christ at all...and probably more....and without some change, will die for eternity...
So when you walk into the convenience store tomorrow to pay for your gas...take a quick count of how many people are in there...take a quick count of your classroom, teachers...2/3... 2/3
To my fellow church leaders in our city...this is why we do not have the luxury to play it safe... 2/3
#realitysetsin #norosyfuzzyfeelinghere #notacceptable #interestedhowGodwillsolvethis #willhavetobeGod #hopeIgettoseethat
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Matthew 23, football games and missions
Have you ever watched your favorite football team play a game...on the DVR...after you knew the outcome? I have and there's a different sense of the game. I know we are going to win, but I don't have the plays memorized or anything, so it's like enjoying all the stuff that happens, but without the stress...I think, personally, I'm a better "watching companion" in that type of game, truthfully, because I KNOW we are going to win and it shows in the way I watch it. It got me to thinking about life and Matthew 23.
I was reading in Matthew 23 about the scathing verbal tongue-lashing that Jesus gave the Pharisees, a couple of days before He was crucified, and I happened on this verse.
“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are! (Matthew 23:15 NLT)
Looks like the Pharisees were pretty passionate about missions, too. They were so legalistic and practiced so little of the message they preached to everyone else, that no one could stand them, really. Had a funny thought about how they probably had to go to a foreign country to get someone who'd listen to their mess, because they didn't have to live with them...then it occurred to me...
Sometimes we go on mission trips to other countries and we marvel at the hunger for and receptiveness to the Gospel of Christ. In conjunction, we Christ followers sometimes get frustrated at the American people around us who seem so cold to the message of Christ. Makes me wonder...if those people across the sea lived with us, worked with us day in and day out, seeing our less than stellar moments and not just those euphoric moments pursuing "The Mission" on a foreign land...would they be so eager to hear from us?
Maybe the reason people are so ready to listen elsewhere is for that brief time, our message matches our life. We are there for no other reason that to share Christ with them...we've had to raise support and give sacrificially to get it done, we've put our money where our mouths are and gone for broke. We are living in followship of Christ... Is the problem that people don't listen is because they don't really see a difference, because truthfully, we structure our lives like the game is still in question...like our decisions will sink us because God "really" isn't the owner of everything...or God "really" doesn't provide...or God "really" doesn't want all of us, so we'll only be here for Him some of the time and not all. When we "hedge" our bets, we preach a faithless Gospel with no teeth that really won't help anyone...at least, that's how we live it.
The Pharisees picked on minutia, but ignored the great truths and values of God. They couldn't see the forest for the trees... is that us? Do we forget that God reigns, because I've got "x" in the bank and I'll need "y" next week, so God's...I guess..."too...ummm... powerful..maybe...to handle that?" Doesn't make sense...
It's a question for all of us to take in evaluation, not to hate on ourselves or get all defeated and quit, but to renew ourselves to make our lifestyle match our message...to take leaps of faith that are genuinely commensurate with what God really can do...and to live as though we really knew we were going to win the game of life, no matter what...
I was reading in Matthew 23 about the scathing verbal tongue-lashing that Jesus gave the Pharisees, a couple of days before He was crucified, and I happened on this verse.
“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are! (Matthew 23:15 NLT)
Looks like the Pharisees were pretty passionate about missions, too. They were so legalistic and practiced so little of the message they preached to everyone else, that no one could stand them, really. Had a funny thought about how they probably had to go to a foreign country to get someone who'd listen to their mess, because they didn't have to live with them...then it occurred to me...
Sometimes we go on mission trips to other countries and we marvel at the hunger for and receptiveness to the Gospel of Christ. In conjunction, we Christ followers sometimes get frustrated at the American people around us who seem so cold to the message of Christ. Makes me wonder...if those people across the sea lived with us, worked with us day in and day out, seeing our less than stellar moments and not just those euphoric moments pursuing "The Mission" on a foreign land...would they be so eager to hear from us?
Maybe the reason people are so ready to listen elsewhere is for that brief time, our message matches our life. We are there for no other reason that to share Christ with them...we've had to raise support and give sacrificially to get it done, we've put our money where our mouths are and gone for broke. We are living in followship of Christ... Is the problem that people don't listen is because they don't really see a difference, because truthfully, we structure our lives like the game is still in question...like our decisions will sink us because God "really" isn't the owner of everything...or God "really" doesn't provide...or God "really" doesn't want all of us, so we'll only be here for Him some of the time and not all. When we "hedge" our bets, we preach a faithless Gospel with no teeth that really won't help anyone...at least, that's how we live it.
The Pharisees picked on minutia, but ignored the great truths and values of God. They couldn't see the forest for the trees... is that us? Do we forget that God reigns, because I've got "x" in the bank and I'll need "y" next week, so God's...I guess..."too...ummm... powerful..maybe...to handle that?" Doesn't make sense...
It's a question for all of us to take in evaluation, not to hate on ourselves or get all defeated and quit, but to renew ourselves to make our lifestyle match our message...to take leaps of faith that are genuinely commensurate with what God really can do...and to live as though we really knew we were going to win the game of life, no matter what...
Monday, November 5, 2012
Tomorrow's the day
Actually, today is...I've been posting articles and taking a break from blogging. Letting you hear from other voices that I've found interesting weekly, but now, I'm back...today. So here goes...hold on.
Tomorrow is another story...it's the election. While I know many have voted already, I still have some words for us all as Christ followers.
"You should leave your Bible and your faith outside the voting booth." Whoever came up with that or subscribes to anything similar is in one of three camps:
1) They are ignorant of what "faith" is.
2) They are trying to manipulate your vote and are afraid of what you will vote if you vote as your faith instructs
3) They are blind zombies being led around by the nose by someone they respect that is either in the camp of #1 or #2...that's all there is.
Doesn't mean they are deceitful per se...doesn't mean they don't legitimately think they are right...just means they are honestly wrong...either way you slice it. Here's a few verses to consider:
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17 (NIV)
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
**I added the bold and underline...to God, all of it is meant to be bolded and underlined. :)
God doesn't really leave any activity on the planet for a Christ follower to "take a vacation" from being a Christ follower or to "put that aside".
Even further...Romans 14:23 goes so far to tell us that "everything not done in faith is sin." What that means is ANYTHING that you do that is not based in your faith in Christ is sin and puts you at odds against the Father...so let's put all that "leave your faith in your other pants" mess to bed. If you could do that, it wouldn't be faith.
Don't get mad at non-Christians who try to throw that out there because they heard someone say it and it was cute...they don't understand. Don't treat them as enemies, treat them as ignorant (and not in the insulting nasty ignorant, but just uninformed). If they want to stay uninformed, that's their choice, respect that.
God not only is interested in you worshipping Him through your vote, He commands it. Romans 13 tells us to be subject to the authorities that are over us, governmentally, and follow them as much as we can without sacrificing our commitment to God. Under this authority, our responsibility is to vote and to vote our convictions. To sacrifice that is not what God has said...
So who do you vote for if you are a Christian?
Well, that's up to you and God, but here are some things to consider. Proverbs 29:2 says
Because sin is in the world, we are left with impossible choices (that's why Christ's message and his overcoming sin is so important). Because sin is in the world, it means someone isn't following Christ and you just might be forced to choose between people that aren't...so what do you do then? I'm reminded of the words of the writer of Proverbs 3...
3 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
As a Christian, there's no way around believing that God's Word is the supreme wisdom for us...so that tells me personally, to look at the wisdom of God and who is the closest to what God says is correct on the issues.
What does God say about life (at the beginning of it and the end)?
What does God say about the poor?
What does God say about labor?
What does God say about marriage?
What does God say about war?
What does God say about finances and debt?
What does God say about justice?
What does God say about foreign relations?
God speaks about ALL of those issues in His Word and gives clear direction to what He thinks is admirable. If you are reading your word, it's easy to know.
A final word on leaders and the election:
1) Save Christ and Himself, God gave no list of approved people to lead you governmentally by name. God didn't leave an approved political party in the Bible. God is not a Republican...God is not a Democrat...God is not a Libertarian...God is God. You either jive with His platform or you don't, God does not ask for you opinion on what He should do, you ask Him what His command is about what you are going to do...and you do it.
2) God does leave, in His Word, lists of qualities for leaders that He feels are important.
3) God does leave, in His Word, how he feels about many things.
#2 and #3 should be very important to everyone who follows Christ.
Wednesday morning...regardless of how this thing ends, there's one message that should ring true for Christians...God is just as in control as He was yesterday and today. No government can knock Him off the throne....when Jesus came, people seem to forget that He saw no need to take political power to change the world. For Jesus, President would be a demotion. This reality shouldn't be a surprise, and therefore should help us understand that God is true...no matter who wins. Consider these verses.
5 I know that the Lord is great,
that our Lord is greater than all gods.
6 The Lord does whatever pleases him,
in the heavens and on the earth,
in the seas and all their depths.
Psalm 135:5-6 (NIV)
8 “Remember this, keep it in mind,take it to heart, you rebels.
9 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.
10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’
Isaiah 46:8-10 (NIV)
God's purposes have existed and advanced under horrible Kings of Biblical times, such as Ahab, Manasseh, Amon and Jeroboam... In the Romans 13 passage i mentioned above, it was written when Nero was feeding Christians to lions and God was saying "submit to the authority"...in spite of people like Stalin, Hitler...systems like Apartheid...none of those things have stopped God's message or God.
If you are not careful, politics and the election can become the idol you trust in to fix the world...it won't. It's just another way that you can follow God and how you follow God is just as important as being able to parrot truth verbally from God's Word. If your delivery system violates Scripture, then you are sending two counter messages.
More than your vote, your response on Wednesday will speak more to what you believe. If you freak out if your candidate doesn't win and start posting on Facebook about how you are moving to France and the world's gonna end, you just told the world you never believed God was in charge to begin with. If you have a fit when your candidate wins and start talking about how we "dodged a bullet there"...not so much...God is in charge, or was He?
Just my two cents. ...for 4 or 10 dollars...boy this was long.
Tomorrow is another story...it's the election. While I know many have voted already, I still have some words for us all as Christ followers.
"You should leave your Bible and your faith outside the voting booth." Whoever came up with that or subscribes to anything similar is in one of three camps:
1) They are ignorant of what "faith" is.
2) They are trying to manipulate your vote and are afraid of what you will vote if you vote as your faith instructs
3) They are blind zombies being led around by the nose by someone they respect that is either in the camp of #1 or #2...that's all there is.
Doesn't mean they are deceitful per se...doesn't mean they don't legitimately think they are right...just means they are honestly wrong...either way you slice it. Here's a few verses to consider:
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17 (NIV)
31 So
whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
1 Follow God's example in everything
you do, because you are his dear children.
2 Live a life filled with love for
others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a
sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice
was like sweet perfume to him.
Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)**I added the bold and underline...to God, all of it is meant to be bolded and underlined. :)
God doesn't really leave any activity on the planet for a Christ follower to "take a vacation" from being a Christ follower or to "put that aside".
Even further...Romans 14:23 goes so far to tell us that "everything not done in faith is sin." What that means is ANYTHING that you do that is not based in your faith in Christ is sin and puts you at odds against the Father...so let's put all that "leave your faith in your other pants" mess to bed. If you could do that, it wouldn't be faith.
Don't get mad at non-Christians who try to throw that out there because they heard someone say it and it was cute...they don't understand. Don't treat them as enemies, treat them as ignorant (and not in the insulting nasty ignorant, but just uninformed). If they want to stay uninformed, that's their choice, respect that.
God not only is interested in you worshipping Him through your vote, He commands it. Romans 13 tells us to be subject to the authorities that are over us, governmentally, and follow them as much as we can without sacrificing our commitment to God. Under this authority, our responsibility is to vote and to vote our convictions. To sacrifice that is not what God has said...
So who do you vote for if you are a Christian?
Well, that's up to you and God, but here are some things to consider. Proverbs 29:2 says
"2 When the righteous are
in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people
mourn." So it's pretty obvious, you look for someone who's following Jesus.
What happens when no one is a Christian?
What happens when no one is a Christian?
Because sin is in the world, we are left with impossible choices (that's why Christ's message and his overcoming sin is so important). Because sin is in the world, it means someone isn't following Christ and you just might be forced to choose between people that aren't...so what do you do then? I'm reminded of the words of the writer of Proverbs 3...
3 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
As a Christian, there's no way around believing that God's Word is the supreme wisdom for us...so that tells me personally, to look at the wisdom of God and who is the closest to what God says is correct on the issues.
What does God say about life (at the beginning of it and the end)?
What does God say about the poor?
What does God say about labor?
What does God say about marriage?
What does God say about war?
What does God say about finances and debt?
What does God say about justice?
What does God say about foreign relations?
God speaks about ALL of those issues in His Word and gives clear direction to what He thinks is admirable. If you are reading your word, it's easy to know.
A final word on leaders and the election:
1) Save Christ and Himself, God gave no list of approved people to lead you governmentally by name. God didn't leave an approved political party in the Bible. God is not a Republican...God is not a Democrat...God is not a Libertarian...God is God. You either jive with His platform or you don't, God does not ask for you opinion on what He should do, you ask Him what His command is about what you are going to do...and you do it.
2) God does leave, in His Word, lists of qualities for leaders that He feels are important.
3) God does leave, in His Word, how he feels about many things.
#2 and #3 should be very important to everyone who follows Christ.
Wednesday morning...regardless of how this thing ends, there's one message that should ring true for Christians...God is just as in control as He was yesterday and today. No government can knock Him off the throne....when Jesus came, people seem to forget that He saw no need to take political power to change the world. For Jesus, President would be a demotion. This reality shouldn't be a surprise, and therefore should help us understand that God is true...no matter who wins. Consider these verses.
5 I know that the Lord is great,
that our Lord is greater than all gods.
6 The Lord does whatever pleases him,
in the heavens and on the earth,
in the seas and all their depths.
Psalm 135:5-6 (NIV)
8 “Remember this, keep it in mind,take it to heart, you rebels.
9 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.
10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’
Isaiah 46:8-10 (NIV)
God's purposes have existed and advanced under horrible Kings of Biblical times, such as Ahab, Manasseh, Amon and Jeroboam... In the Romans 13 passage i mentioned above, it was written when Nero was feeding Christians to lions and God was saying "submit to the authority"...in spite of people like Stalin, Hitler...systems like Apartheid...none of those things have stopped God's message or God.
3 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not trust in an idol
or swear by a false god.
Psalm 24:1-4 (NIV) Who may stand in his holy place?
4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not trust in an idol
or swear by a false god.
If you are not careful, politics and the election can become the idol you trust in to fix the world...it won't. It's just another way that you can follow God and how you follow God is just as important as being able to parrot truth verbally from God's Word. If your delivery system violates Scripture, then you are sending two counter messages.
More than your vote, your response on Wednesday will speak more to what you believe. If you freak out if your candidate doesn't win and start posting on Facebook about how you are moving to France and the world's gonna end, you just told the world you never believed God was in charge to begin with. If you have a fit when your candidate wins and start talking about how we "dodged a bullet there"...not so much...God is in charge, or was He?
Just my two cents. ...for 4 or 10 dollars...boy this was long.
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