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.

Trust Him because God is always on time

Thessalonica today.

When we pray,

God hears more than we say,

Answers more than we ask,

Gives more than

We can imagine,

In His own time,

And in his own way.

So true. 

As most of you know, the apostle Paul shared the reason for prayer with the believers in Thessalonica. Find the text of his instruction in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV) ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

History: According to Nelson’s Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible, Thessalonica was a city in Macedonia situated on the Thermaic Gulf and was a chief seaport of Macedonia. The city was founded at approximately 315 B.C. by Cassander, who populated the new city with people from 26 villages he destroyed. Cassander named the city after his wife who was the sister of Alexander the Great. The Egnatian Way, the main overland trade route of the day, ran from Rome through Thessalonica. 

Paul visited the city around 49 A.D. during his second missionary journey (find the account in Acts 17:1-9 NKJV). Paul’s visit created an enthusiastic group of Jesus followers. Members of the Jewish synagogue, gentiles and many former pagans joined in worship of Jesus Christ, embracing the Good News brought to the city by Paul, Silas and Timothy as recorded in 1 Thessalonians 1:1 NIV.

My prayer for you today – May the Lord bless you and keep you in His loving arms now and forever more. Amen.

Editor's note: Special thanks to the God Vine Facebook page for the poem that begins today's blog post. 

Dear God...

Today's prayer -

Dear God,

Thank you for the beginning of a new day.

I ask that You would renew my heart with Your strength.

Please forgive me for every time I fell short yesterday, and please help me walk closer to You today.

May every person I meet today feel You presence through me.

An please hold me tight because I cannot make it on my own.

I love you.

Amen.

Pray for Nepal

Nepal lies in the shadow of Mt. Everest
where avalanches, triggered by the
7.8 magnitude earthquake, killed many
climbers while many more remain
at risk, stranded on the world's tallest
mountain'ssnow-covered slopes.

With more than 3,700 dead, as people of faith we must direct our resources to the survivors in Nepal and the surrounding towns/villages impacted by this natural disaster. Your resources may be financial in nature. It has been my experience that the best place to direct your hard-earned money in times of crisis is the Red Cross. Follow this link to donate to the Nepal relief fund.

Many people are dealing with monetary issues and do not have a dime to spare, but, as Christians we all have the ability to send prayers up to God - prayers for healing, prayers for rescue workers, prayers for those lost and their families, prayers for just about anything you can think of. These fellow occupants of the home we call earth will need your prayers for days, weeks and months to come as they process the devastation and begin the path to restoration.

Offer your prayers up to the God of creation. Ask Him to help those who need Him most.

In the meantime, I offer my prayer for all of you -
     May God bless you and keep you every day in every way. Amen

Search me, LORD

King David playing the harp.

Been attending a women's Bible study for the past several weeks. This week the author, Beth Moore required that we read two verses from Psalm 139, nine and 10 to be exact. But, I did not stop there. I read the entire 139th Psalm, perhaps you should too. Then, why not take time to ponder what David said about God's place in our daily lives. Here is the New International Version of Psalm 139 -

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

¹ You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
² You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
⁴ Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
⁵ You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.

⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.
¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”
¹² even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
¹⁸ Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand—
    when I awake, I am still with you.

¹⁹ If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
    Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
²⁰ They speak of you with evil intent;
    your adversaries misuse your name.
²¹ Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
    and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
²² I have nothing but hatred for them;
    I count them my enemies.
²³ Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

 

Search me, God, and know my heart. Search me and make me entirely yours. Search me...

 

May God be gracious to [you] and bless [you]
and make his face shine on [you]. Psalm 67 (NIV)

Amen.

Pray with me

We must come before God in silence, as evildoers, in order to obtain grace for the offenses that we have committed. We come clothed in shame, confessing that we are lost, that God might save us through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. In short, we say that it is completely beyond our powers to acquit ourselves in the eyes of God. But he comes to our aid; he does not scrutinize us or enter into account with us. When we have offended him, there is no satisfaction for sin other than the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. The only way we can be cleansed is to wash ourselves in his blood. — John Calvin, Freedom from the Bondage of the Law

John Calvin, above left, was Martin Luther's successor as the preeminent Protestant theologian of his time. Calvin, who wrote extensively about the concept of election, made a powerful impact on the fundamental doctrines of the Protestant faith. Interested in reading more about Calvin's interpretations of the Holy Scriptures, click here.

Consider praying this prayer today

Oh, God, please help us. We are under such attack. Far too many believers who have histories of faithfulness with You are falling for the devil's scheme. Please open our eyes and show us the way! Hear the desperate cries of Your children. Amen

Just read my lesson for the day from Beth Moore's Bible study, When Godly People Do Ungodly Things. Thought I would share the ending prayer with all of you.

By the way, this women's study just began Monday night. If you are interested in joining the group, we meet each Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Newberry Comfort Inn (corner of M-123 and M-28). The study will continue for the next five weeks. Hope you can make it!

Think about this today...

What is the uppermost concern in your life today that you would like the great High Priest (Jesus) to bring to the throne of God?

This was the "ponder" question in my Lenten devotional. I thought it was a good one to share as I am working feverishly on the White Breakfast presentation and do not have the time (or the energy) to blog too!

Think about it.

My prayer today, May God bless each and every one of you today and every day. Amen

Today, ponder this...

The world rotates so someone will always be awake to pray.

Sharing an Irish blessing...and more

An Irish Blessing

 

May God grant you always...

A sunbeam to warm you,

A moonbeam to charm you,

A sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you.

Laughter to cheer you.

Faithful friends near you.

And whenever you pray,

Heaven to hear you.

 

 

As I was reading about St. Patrick this morning I came across an interesting article written by Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. Read What Evangelicals Can Learn From Saint Patrick by clicking here.

 

 

From our home to yours, Happy St. Patrick's Day. And, as always - May God guide and protect you today and every day in every way. Amen

 

Take time to pray every day

Almighty God, who sees that we have no power ourselves to help ourselves: protect us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls. Defend us both from harm to the body and from evil thoughts which assault and hurt the soul. Do this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. — adapted from the Book of Common Prayer

Today's prayer...

Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ,
For all the benefits thou hast won for me,
For all the pains and insults you have borne for me.

O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother,
May I know thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
And follow thee more nearly:
For ever and ever.
— Richard of Chichester

God answered my prayers

Dorcas the Seamstress, a disciple of Jesus,
whose story you can find in Acts 9:36-42.

Have you had a personal prayer answered recently? I sure did, and I am so glad I lifted my dilemma up to Him.

After all, Jesus did, on many occasions go to God in prayer. He also instructed us to do the same. Go to God in prayer and ask in the same of the Son. In the Gospel of John 14:14 (NIV) {Jesus said} You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Fair enough, I think. Agreed?

My issue came about as a result of attending a woman’s one-day retreat a few weeks ago. While praising Jesus with 25 other Christian women, we all learned about answered prayer and continuing service to God from participants who shared their stories at the event.

We also received pamphlets advertising the “It’s Tough Being a Woman Retreat – Dorcas the Seamstress.” This non-denominational retreat for women is set for Feb 27 and 28 in Escanaba. I read the literature and decided, “I really want to go to this.” When I got home, I talked the trip over with my husband, who encouraged me to attend.

However, there was an issue that had to be resolved before I could go.

Again, I called upon my Bible, reading another verse about God answering prayer. I delved further into John’s gospel, but this time I found a later verse, where Jesus tells us, yet again, to ask in His name. John 16:24 (NIV) reads, {Jesus said} Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

You ask, what could be the problem and why did you need prayer to attend the retreat? After all, you want to go and your husband is on board, what was the obstacle?

Well, to be honest, I had no clue who I could room with. Although I attend the women’s non-denominational Bible studies throughout the year, I really do not have a personal relationship with the women there. My best friend lives 2,000 miles away, and no one at my church planned to go to the two-day event. Consequently, I had no one to share a room with.

So, I prayed.

Lo and behold, I ran into our Bible study leader while grocery shopping this afternoon. She asked if I planned to attend the retreat. I explained that although I would love to, I did not have a roommate. To my delight, she said, “Neither do I!”

Problem solved.

More importantly, prayers answered.

After I got home, I immediately turned to my Bible and read perhaps the most famous of Jesus’s admonitions where prayer is concerned. I am sure you know the one of which I speak. It’s Matthew 7:7-12 (NIV), the Ask, Seek, Knock passage where Jesus said, 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Ask in His name, always. The answer may not come immediately. The answer may take days, weeks, months or even years. But if your request coincides with His will, He will answer you.

Step into a meaningful relationship with Jesus today through prayer. Confess your sins. Ask for forgiveness. Live life as a true follower of Jesus Christ.

And don’t forget to pray to Him daily. After all, it's what he prescribes.

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

A friend is a blessed thing

A Blessed Thing

 

A blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend;

One human soul whom we can trust utterly;

Who knows the best and the worst of us, and who loves us in spite of all our faults;

Who will speak the honest truth to us,

While the world flatters us to our face and laughs at us behind our back;

Who will give us counsel and reproof in the day of prosperity and self-conceit; but who, again,

Will comfort and encourage us in the day of difficulty and sorrow,

When the world leaves us alone to flight our own battle as best we can.

 

Anonymous

 

Reminds me of one of my favorite hymns -
 

"What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear.

What a privilege to carry,

Everything to God in prayer."

Jesus prayed many times, according to all four Gospels. In fact, Jesus even gave us instruction on just how to offer up prayers to our awesome Creator. You can find the text of the Lord's Prayer, given to us by Jesus Christ in the book of Matthew, Chapter 6, Verses 9-13 (NIV).

You can also read it here:
⁹ “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰ your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.

 

Of course it's always good to have good friends, especially one as described in the poem that began this post. I have friends like these and I thank God for them every day.

 

But, I do not know where I would be without my best Friend.

 

I can't pray to Kathy; I can't give Charlie my troubles and expect him to fix them (even though I know he would do his best to do so); I can't ask for eternal forgiveness from Katherine.

 

These issues, as with most everything else, belong to God.

 

It's Him I pray to; it's Him I give my troubles to; it's Him I confess my sins to and ask for His grace of forgiveness. It's Him...lock, stock and barrel.

 

Put everything in His capable hands. As I have said many times in the past, you'll be glad you did.

 

May the Lord bless you and keep you today and every day. Amen.

Your help can be as simple as serving at a soup kitchen.

Are you eager to do good in this world? According to the apostle Paul, we should all, if we are God’s people, be “eager to do what is good.”

Paul’s encouragement is found in Titus 2:11-14 (NIV) 11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

I try every day to do something good, whether it’s for my husband, or my daughter, or my grandchildren, or for a friend, or for a stranger. Even though God does not require works for salvation, (that only comes as a gift, through God’s grace) I pray continually for opportunities to show God’s love through my works of Christian charity.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) verifies our saving grace - 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Paul says a lot more about doing good in this world. In fact the third chapter in Titus addresses, in detail, “Doing What Is Good.” Titus 3:1-11 (NIV). You can read the entire text of Paul’s advice by clicking here.

James, another follower of Jesus, says that faith without works is dead. James 2:14-17 (NIV) reads, 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

What about you? Is today the day you actively pursue opportunities to help your fellow man?

Sometimes all that is required is sharing your dinner table with a lonely person. Sometimes it might involve a significant financial investment. Sometimes your time is the primary ingredient for assisting in a project that will benefit someone less fortunate.

As a matter of fact, my perennial prayer was answered yesterday when a sister in the faith called with a specific need, a need no one else in her circle of friends was able to provide. Although this assistance requires an entire day away from my home and travel on wintry roads, I saw an opportunity to help as God requires. I didn’t think twice.

Of course I said yes! How could I say otherwise as a Christian woman of faith?

Whatever the case may be, pray that you will find an occasion to assist someone in need. I promise the rewards will far outweigh the commitment of time, energy or funds. Just help out; you'll be glad you did.

Until tomorrow – God bless all of you as you help one another. Amen.