“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
Monday, July 18, 2016
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
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