Crazy Elections, Part Two

“Of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command” 1Chr. 12:32 The verse above, First Chronicles 12:32 reminds us that we need to be in touch with our crazy world and in touch with how God wants us to be a part of the times. But there is a big difference between being “in touch” versus being “overwhelmed.” As Christians, we are not to be of this world, but we are to be in this world. As we approach politics and elections, we need to be people who lean on God- we need to be people of prayer. Here are some of my thoughts mixed with wisdom from Bryan Roberts: 1. Remember that there are Christians in both parties! There are strong Christians on the left and secular people on the right. Stereotyping is defined as “an oversimplified opinion or image.” Prejudice is “a perceived opinion not based on reason.” Discrimination is “the unjust treatment of people on grounds of sex, religion, etc.” We all tend to group people and judge people to try and make sense of it all. Jeremiah 17:9 and Matthew 15:19 remind us that our judging hearts are “deceitful and evil.” But God is not. In Christ, we have the capacity to love and review life Biblically and objectively. 2. National news only wants high ratings. They mix in the worst of the worst to push our buttons. They play on fear and paranoia. Ask yourself, “Am I spending more time focused on news than I am focused on Jesus?” Maybe you need to skip the 5:30 news and instead focus on God’s Word and prayer. There is no security in CNN or the Weather channel. There’s nothing wrong with TV, but let’s not make it our security blanket- there is no security there. 3. Scripture says we need to pray for our leaders. “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior…” -1Tim. 2:1-4 “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil.. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor” -Rom. 13:1-7 Scripture is clear. We’re to humbly pray for our leadership. 4. Don’t be paranoid. God has given us confidence. This world is not our home. We’re aiming for something bigger. “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” -2Tim. 1:7 Don’t look for security in our government. Certainly, we love and defend this great country, but we don’t look to the United States to meet our greatest needs. Only a loving God can do that. 5. If a person is ruling, God did allow that to happen. “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God” -Rom. 13:1 The Bible is full of stories about interesting leadership. Some turned to God and some did not. But there’s no way to get around it- it all happened and happens under His watch. 6. Anger does no good. “…for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God” -James 1:20 Anger and rage and slander only fuel the fire of hate. In Christ, we love and the flames of hate are extinguished. May the peace of Christ rule in our heart’s today. 7. Above all, pray. “Now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:7-8 Day and night prayer! That’s what we are called to do. It seems too simple. But it’s vital. Were all aiming for something bigger than now. The book of Revelation tells us that things will be bad on the earth when Jesus returns. Not today bad, but bad-bad. So we turn to Him. We pray to Him. We cry out on behalf of our leaders. We appeal to our loving God to change the hearts of our national leaders to lean on Him. We choose peace, contentment and security… …as we lean on Jesus. By Eric Joseph Staples© www.lifeaid101.com

Crazy Elections, Part One

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God” –Romans 13:1 The American political system is crazy! The irony is that craziness is what makes America remarkable and beautiful as well. Freedom allows us to navigate and sift through the mess of people who desire to run this country. As Christ followers, we need to remember that our peace and security don't lie in our elected officials. Our strength comes from the Lord. And, lest we think that there was more security there in the past, let me remind you of a few nutty elections. Arguably, the top four craziest elections in American history didn’t even occur in our lifetime. Here it goes… #4 Year: 1824 Candidates: Jackson vs Adams vs Clay vs Crawford There were 4 candidates running for president. Jackson won the popular vote, 41% and more of the electoral votes, but not enough to win the election. Via the 12th amendment, the top three candidates went to the House of Representatives, which left out Clay. The vote was so close that it went to the speaker of the house to break the tie. Clay was the speaker of the House and hated Jackson, so he broke the tie and voted for Adams. Winner: Adams. #3 Year: 1828 Candidates: Andrew Jackson vs John Quincy Adams As you just read, Jackson had lost to Adams in 1824. Henry Clay, speaker of the house, cast the tie-breaking vote. Adams then appointed Clay as Sec. of State. Jackson was furious. Adams was accused of giving a prostitute to a Russian Czar. Jackson’s wife was called an adulteress because she married Jackson before finalizing her divorce from her previous husband. Jackson’s wife, Rachel, died before the inauguration, and at the funeral Jackson blamed his opponents for her death. At the White House Inauguration party, mass confusion infused. (Imagine having CNN to cover all of this!) Winner: Jackson #2 Year: 1860 Candidates: Lincoln/Douglas in the north vs Breckenridge/Douglas/Bell on the south In the 1850’s, the country was about to explode. In the 1856 election, the South threatened secession if a republican won the election, so the country elected Buchanan. By 1860, the country was weakening and the people blamed Buchanan. The country was so divided that the southern states didn’t even have Lincoln on the ballot. But Lincoln won the election and a month later South Carolina voted to leave the Union. Eventually, 12 other states would follow and the disaster called the Civil War followed. Winner: Lincoln #1 Year: 1912 Candidates: Wilson vs Taft vs Roosevelt The Republican’s picked Taft, the sitting president, over Teddy Roosevelt. Roosevelt, furious, walked out of the convention and ran as a third party candidate. It split the party and Wilson won the election Winner: Wilson The list goes on and on. There have been 56 presidential elections and they have all been a mess! But our awesome God has shown grace and favor to our country and we continue to be the beacon of liberty across the world. May we all continue to pray for our leaders and be obedient Christ followers as we honor this country. And may God shed His grace on this wonderful place we call the United States of America. By Eric Joseph Staples © www.lifeaid101.com