Whether you agree with them or not, pray for our leaders

The Apostle Paul pens a letter.

Yesterday our pastor’s message stemmed from Romans 13:1-7 (NIV) where the apostle Paul admonishes the faithful to accept the governmental rulers as those established by God. I have to say I take issue with this passage and the minister’s interpretation of it, which is, basically, why I am blogging about it today.

Although I am by no means a biblical scholar, I do know in my follower’s heart that a morally bankrupt government should not be honored and should never stand in victory over the children of God.

We also need to better digest this message by putting it into context, understanding that Paul’s letter to the Roman believers was penned during the era of the Caesars. An era where one of those hung on a cross and killed beside Jesus because he was a thief, yes, a thief – not a murderer or a rapist or a terrorist – a thief. Christians were likewise murdered for their beliefs. Have you ever read the story of Stephen, the first martyr for Christ? You can find his biography in the book of Acts, Chapters 6 and 7, and, specifically, his stoning in Chapter 7, Verses 54-60.

I believe that when Paul wrote about submitting to authorities he was not just writing about following the law of the land; he was writing about doing what is right in the eyes of God, not just in the eyes of man.

I, in no way, shape, form or fashion believe that Paul was saying we should condone killing an unborn child (the law of the land – Roe v. Wade) or accepting one of the most recent Supreme Court decisions – that anyone can marry anyone with no legal, or moral, recriminations.

Consider verse five, which reads – “[Therefore], it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.” My conscience has a real problem with both these law-of-the-land decisions. Does yours?

Now I ask you, how can any Christian, with a clear conscience, excuse such behavior as abortion or homosexual “marriage”? How can any Christian submit to any authority that not only allows these distasteful acts to happen, but actively supports them through healthcare laws and “spousal” privileges?

Peter, one of the original 12 disciples of Jesus, justifies the civil disobedience of Jesus’s chosen by telling the Sanhedrin, “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29 NIV)

Of course it is not up to us to judge those who would actively defy God’s law. We are to pray for them and reserve condemnation and judgment for God. As Jesus said, and was recorded in Luke 6:37 (NIV) “Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned…”

Even so, Paul did share Scripture’s purpose for correction of evil in 2 Timothy 3:16-17(NIV) where he wrote, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Mentally, I know God requires rulers to fairly govern the people he created and to support an avenue for proper justice for wrongdoers.

After all Paul did pen in verse three, “For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.”

But I also know that God uses unfathomable circumstances to draw us closer to Him. Remember how the churches were filled after 9-11?

Many times in the Old Testament God allowed the forces of evil, the Egyptians, the Babylonians, the Assyrians – to name a few, to punish his chosen people. He did so for the sole purpose of forcing the Israelites to return to the God of Abraham, the God of their fathers, the One, the True, the only God of the universe.

Perhaps today’s ruling class is just like those idol worshipers of old; a class of evil so vile our only hope is in the God of the Bible?

As we sat in the sanctuary, my husband (co-author of this blog) and I were collectively shaking our heads at the inference that this government of ours was God-appointed.

In fact, Charlie expressed his doubts to the pastor after the service. Pastor told him that even if we disagree with the current leaders of our great nation, we still have to pray for them.

I’ll end today by agreeing with the direction pastor shared with my husband. And maybe even accepting the fact that this administration is God’s tool to bring us closer to Him.

Seems I have come full circle as I wrote this blog post this morning. Amazing! The Lord does work in mysterious ways, and by forcing me to dig further into the Scriptures, I now understand more clearly Rev. Andrew Manwarren’s Sunday morning message.

I know that we must pray for our leaders today and every single day. Paul directed this as well in his first letter to Timothy, 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV) “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

And now I am sharing this prayer (edited) from the A Spiritual Journey for Healing website…

A Prayer for Leaders in Your Life

Dear Heavenly Father,

I stop and think of those who are leaders in my life...
in my church…
in my home...
in my work...
in my country...
in the world...

Perhaps there is someone I find it hard to think of with love. 

I hand over to you any anger or fear I feel. In this moment, I send them love.

However I feel about them, in this moment, I see your love flowing through me to them. 

Dear God, I ask you to feed these people on your wisdom and your understanding,
for their good and for the good of all they serve.

Let them recognize and take the authority that is theirs to take, remembering that the authority bestowed on them is not of man but of God.

Thank you God for guiding them in your way every step of the way.

In Jesus name I pray,
Amen

And, may God bless each and every one of you every day in every way.

Let's all 'do good works'

Today’s verse of the day from Bible Gateway is  
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

As I read this verse, penned by the Apostle Paul in his letter to believers in Ephesus, a city in modern-day Turkey, the folks of God’s Country Cooperative Parish (GCCP) came to mind.

Locally, GCCP volunteers work hard every summer to fulfill Paul’s directive.

GCCP, which brings together United Methodist churches in Newberry, Paradise, Hulbert, Engadine, McMillan, Grand Marais and Germfask, coordinates with Volunteers in Mission (VIM) teams from throughout Michigan and the rest of the country to assist local folks in need.

This group of Christian volunteers takes time from their summer vacations to make minor repairs to homes located in the GCCP area. VIM groups of United Methodists, coordinated by GCCP church and community worker Randy Hildebrandt, share their expertise throughout the 2,500 square mile area that encompasses these churches that operate under the GCCP umbrella.

According to the GCCP administrator’s Facebook page, “We are happy to host mission teams from all over Michigan and beyond to assist in sharing God's love with our hands and feet in minor home repairs - all summer long. We share God's love with a variety of outreach ministries in our seven communities.”

Basically, GCCP’s Mission Statement says it all, “God’s Country Cooperative Parish is to bring together people of the seven churches to provide mutual love and support for a greater impact serving Christ, community, and mission to all.”

Want to know more about this Christian team of workers, find them on Facebook by clicking here.  Be sure to take time to peruse the photographs from this summer’s projects. I promise, you will be impressed.

Perhaps each and every one of us can find a way, however small, to fulfill Paul’s directive as the folks of the United Methodist Church have done this summer.

May God bless each and every one of you every day in every way.

Time to reflect

How was your Mother’s Day?

Mine was extremely busy. Since we had spent Friday and Saturday traveling, Sunday became a day of work – not rest, as the Master intended, Genesis 2:2 (NIV) By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.

Now, because of that 10-hour work day, which included nine loads of laundry, baking cookies and cornbread, cooking dinner, writing and much, much more, I am typing away on my laptop, sitting on the couch with a heating pad on my aching back. When will I learn that I am no longer that 25-year-old, never-say-quit young woman? My husband says I need to rest today. Perhaps he is right, although I hate to admit it! Besides, the heating pad feels s-o-o-o-o good.

Anyway, this restful day has been a time of reflection for me and my plans for the future of the Retreat to Belief© ministry.

As I meditated on a plan of action for Retreat to Belief©, I considered a chance encounter at the Newberry United Methodist Women’s White Breakfast in April, an encounter which has been weighing heavily on my spirit. And now, on this day of reflection, I think this episode may have been God’s way of telling me how to spend this ministry to significantly glorify Him.

I believe the apostle Paul explained the Christian’s responsibility best when he penned in his first letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 10, Verse 31 (NIV) So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. I would guess that Paul would have singled out writing as one of the ways to glorify our Creator. This former persecutor of Christians sure did enough writing in his time on this earth, didn’t he?

According to The American Journey of Biblical Theology, “Paul…is responsible for writing two thirds of our present New Testament, for which he is accredited for approximately fifty percent of the 27 extant letters; which equates to 13 letters (14, if Paul wrote Hebrews).”

Given this information about the make-up of the New Testament, Paul probably intended to specify writing in this passage, don’t you think?

As I researched Paul’s ministry, I came across this tidbit, which I am sure most of you know, but I’ll include it here for history’s sake if nothing else – Paul, a persecutor of Christians, Acts 9:4 (NIV)  [Saul/Paul] fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” started life as Saul of Tarsus, Acts 9:11 (NIV) The Lord told [Ananias], “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying,” and Acts 13:9a (NIV) Then Saul, who was also called Paul…

Anyway, I have seemingly gone off topic, but I believe this sidebar journey helps draw closure to my plans to expand this ministry in the form of a Bible study. I am currently in discussion with my former magazine editor in the hopes of working an understanding of just how to move forward with this Spirit-led idea.

As such, please pray for me as I begin this Jesus-following endeavor. As you are aware, the Bible says a lot about praying. One of my favorite passages comes from Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. {emphasis mine}

After all, Paul, who also penned Philippians, said in Chapter 4, Verse 13 (NKJV) wrote, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

And, I can do all things with His strength because, “With God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26b (NIV)

May the Lord above, Creator of all creatures big and small, bless you and keep you in His loving arms today and every day. Amen.

Just who can be against you?

Paul, the apostle of Jesus

The apostle Paul wrote in his epistle, Romans 8:31-39 (NIV)

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

I ask you, "If God is for you, who can be against you?"

 

Good question to ponder over the weekend...

 

My God bless you every day in every way. Amen!

Do you know Dorcas? Conclusion



Capturing the spirit of the weekend in this photograph of ladies
lifting their voices, hearts and hands in praises to God during the
It's Tough Being a Woman - Drocas the Seamstress Retreat
this past weekend in Escanaba.

My granddaddy always told me that our bodies are God’s temples. As such, he preached, “You cannot defile or otherwise abuse your own body because that would indicate your disdain for God above.”

Granddaddy - as was generally the case, especially in matters of the Bible - was right.

Our bodies are made in God’s image. We use our bodies to glorify Him if we are true followers of His Son, Jesus Christ. Because of this truth, we should honor our bodies as we honor Him who made us.

Those of us who attended this past weekend’s It’s Tough Being a Woman – Dorcas the Seamstress Retreat were recipients of some words of wisdom about just this subject. The speaker asked the gathering what could be construed as abuse. Audience members mentioned alcohol (in excess), illegal drugs, prescription drugs and even obesity. After all, a temple, should be just that, a temple, pure and pleasing to the Lord.

Scripture solidifies this truth – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV) 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Can’t get more succinct than that, eh?

As attendees we were also treated to a presentation from a Newberry healthcare professional. She suggested that we find our spiritual gift(s) and use it (them) for the good of the Lord. “Love is the foundation,” she reasoned.

I thought about the love foundation and could not stop thinking about God and his love for us sinners. What greater love than Jesus, who, without sin, nevertheless, died on the cross – substituting himself for the sinners of the world. Jesus Christ died for my sin, your sin, the sin of all mankind. That, folks, is true agape. Unbridled. Unbelievable. Undeserving.

That is the love God offers us.

As the speaker confirmed, God anoints His followers with gifts too.

Because Dorcas used her sewing skills to help others, in my humble opinion, this first century disciple’s gift can truly be considered a gift of the Holy Spirit.

Our speaker referenced the apostle Paul’s discussion about such God-given expertise – found in his letter to the Romans, Chapter 12 – where he boiled it all down to just six verses (3-8) 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

As followers, can we expect anything less of ourselves as we serve Him?

The speaker likened our following ways to the instruction received concerning what to do if you find yourself on fire – remember – it’s Stop. Drop. (and) Roll.

I am diligently working to fan the flames of fire for Him. In doing so I sincerely believe that we can all follow Saturday’s Dorcas speaker’s advice to – Stop. Stoop (and) Serve. And to – borrowing from Nike – JUST DO IT!

A young lady in the group did just that. She JUST DID IT, in a huge way.

This 18-year-old servant of the Lord recently made a trip to Honduras, visiting many churches in the area. While there, she, and her mother who had visited previously, were able to share their personal message of faith and giving in the name of Jesus. 

In the photographs shared since this series on the retreat was first published, you’ll see this young lady sharing her experience, and her photographs, with the group. On a personal note, I was privileged to share my motel room with her for the weekend, and her mother took our picture, which was shared in Monday’s post.

The women participants also heard a heart-felt message of loss and pain and resurrection from a former Germfask resident who drove up from Grand Rapids to share her story with the group. What began as a tearful recollection of her husband’s untimely death, ended in a celebration of God’s love for her, and her children, and how, through His mercy, she is recovering day by day – one step at a time.

Below you will find the last of my photographs from the weekend. Please take time to look and maybe you’ll find yourself among the crowd.

Today, I am ending with another essay that touched my heart. From the Book of Common Prayer –
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.



Overcome failure through confession

When we fail, it can be an eye-opening experience. Failure comes in many varieties. Failed marriages. Failed dreams. Failed investments. Failing grades. Failure to communicate. Failing at sports. The list seems endless, doesn’t it?

As most of you who know me know, I am an avid football fan. In fact, I guess you could say I am now experiencing football withdrawal. Being a fan creates innumerable highs and lows. The high point was THE Ohio State University’s undisputed national championship win on Jan. 12. The low point? Yesterday’s unfathomable Seattle Seahawks loss, and to none other than Tom Brady’s Patriots, the perennial nemesis of both Charlie’s Colts and my Bengals.

But, life goes on, and the football diversion goes on the back burner until next year.

In the meantime, my focus to reach the unreached in Jesus Christ’s name continues as we expand this daily blog. Last week my husband and I discussed the future of my blog-based ministry.  His insight proved invaluable.

As a result of much prayerful consideration, Charlie has decided to join this ministry. As such, you can expect to soon see blog posts from a man’s point of view, with Charlie sharing his male perspective of life as a follower of Jesus.

Back to the topic at hand…failure seems to rear its ugly head when you least expect it. But, just like sin invades our lives from time to time, so does failure.

As the followers of this blog probably noticed, personal blog posts were missing last week. Although links to the devotional I read every day were provided to you, I know it was not the same as a daily dose of personal reflection from one sinner to another. Missing even one day of sharing His Word, is, in my opinion, a monumental failure.

When I started blogging on Jan. 1, I made a commitment to not fail, and there I was, less than one month into this ministry, experiencing a colossal failure. Woe is me.

Then I thought about failure and sin and what the Good Book says how failure and sin, at least in my mind, may be related.

Romans 3:22-24 (NIV) says ²² This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of (failed in our pursuit of) the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. [emphasis and parenthetical meaning mine]

The apostle Paul writes that we are saved by grace if we believe in Jesus. But, even though we employ our best efforts not to, we continue to sin. Remember Jesus says that if we sin in our heart…

In fact, in the Sermon on the Mount, Christ cautions against all types of heart-/mind-based sin. Matthew 5 gives the details. Read His instruction on the subject in your Bible or by clicking here.

My take is that I failed Christ in my absence from this blog for the last week. Even though I was ill, I should have at least made the effort to share His Word. I failed as a true follower. I failed. But that does not mean I cannot seek His forgiveness and begin again, does it?

My granddaddy always said, “Cheryl Ann, don’t you know confession is good for the soul?”

As always, granddaddy was right. As the disciple John put it so well in 1 John 1:9 (NIV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

According to my study Bible, John wrote this letter to the churches in Ephesus to encourage their journey in the faith. The Bible remains a timeless vessel of unfathomable knowledge as witnessed in this passage which holds true today just as it did more than 2,000 years ago.

Amazing!

In today’s vernacular, God gives us “an out,” a way back to him. A way to process, and confess our failures/sins, a way to return to Him as a true follower.

Dennis Dehaan put it so well when he wrote, “Learning to benefit from failure is the key to continued growth in grace.”

Pray, confess your sin, ask for forgiveness, and work to do it better the next time. Grow in grace. After all, “…with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26(b) (NIV).

May God bless each and every one of you every day in every way. Amen.

 

Don't hide your light

As the song says, "Hide it under a bushel? NO! I'm gonna let it shine!"

Does your light shine? Or do you hide it from others because you find it difficult to share your faith? 

In Luke 8:16 (NIV) [Jesus said] “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.”

As a sinner, it has at times been difficult to shine His light, although I like to think I always try.

God has been good to my family and me. He has always been there no matter what. He has heard my pleas for help. He has guided me in the right path. He has been my rock.

Why shouldn’t I share His message with everyone? What better message is there than His saving grace?

As most know, Jesus left heaven, became man and lived among us. He ministered on this earth for three years, preaching the message of love.  Christ’s message of grace through faith in Him so threatened the religious and political figures of the day that they sentenced Him to death on a cross.

Think about it – death on a cross. Have you ever read a description of death by crucifixion? I will not share its gruesomeness here. Suffice it to say that there are very few forms of death that compare to this ghastly demise.

Bottom line – Jesus knew this was his fate. He knew he would be betrayed. He knew he would face death on a cross. Knowing the upcoming suffering that faced Him, Jesus even prayed that his Father would release him from it.

He knew. But Jesus came to earth anyway.

Jesus came as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. But, he knew he would rise, defeating death, ensuring eternal life for those who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Paul verifies this path to eternal life in his letter to the Romans, Chapter 4, Verse 25 (NIV), He [Jesus] was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Now consider this – If Jesus could preach and share, knowing the outcome of the cross, why can’t we do the same?

As Americans, we are not likely to be physically crucified for our beliefs, although we may face verbal abuse. Should that stop us from sharing the Light that is Jesus Christ?

No! Absolutely not!

As the old saying goes, “Sticks and stones my break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

Maybe we should all remember that axiom, sharing the Light that is Jesus Christ with everyone we meet. That is my purpose in authoring this blog, sharing His message. Hopefully, my posts will strike a chord in your psyche, spurring you on to pass your God-given light to the world around you.

Pay it forward, so to speak.

This blog post brings to mind the ending of a recent Our Daily Bread devotion, where author Dennis Fisher wrote, “Light up your world by reflecting the light of Jesus.”

How about you, are you ready to "light up your world?”

Share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and see how its impact on your friends and relatives will light up their world. I can’t think of any better accomplishment than securing eternal life for those we love.

Can you?

My prayer today – May God guide and direct you in sharing His message with one and all. Amen