Archive for January, 2021

Still, one nation under God.

It is easy to join millions in collective disappointment and even depression right now. There may be some fear accompanying that, too. The Bible commands us to fear not, though, for the Lord is with us. (Isaiah 41:10) Not only is He with us, but He will strengthen us. I don’t know about you, but I know I will need that to finish my race well!

Consider this, that just because there has been an administration change, that doesn’t change the fact that we are one nation under God! We are still called to be a nation whose God is the Lord. (Psalm 33:12) whom He will bless. We are still called to bless the nation of Israel (Numbers 24:9) and we will be blessed. Israel will not stop being Israel if their administration changes hands.

We are still His people, those of us who choose Him as our Lord, therefore the admonition in II Chronicles 7:14 still applies. It is good to look at the preceding verse as well: “(13) If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send a plague among My people, (14) and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” The Bible doesn’t specify how He will do this, only that He will.

In I Timothy 2:1&2 we are also told to pray for our leaders. “First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness.” This is a tough request when we don’t support their agenda. We can pray that they get revelation of God, that they be held accountable for their decisions, etc.

In the meantime, I refer back to my last blog, What Can We Trust? We claim that we trust God with our lives. That is easier to do when it doesn’t require sacrifice, it is comfortable, and optional. Now is the time to test our beliefs, are we willing to take Him at His Word and let that be the input we choose to receive? Believe me, this is not an easy thing for me to challenge myself with either. I am concerned about our future in this country and the world as it appears that we really are very near dangerous times for believers in this country. Don’t be convinced that who we are has changed, though. That is a tactic of the enemy, to (as I heard somewhere recently) try to perform identity theft on millions of people. We have to go back to the One who is trustworthy and His Word and recognize this lie. It’s important not to isolate or stop gathering. Hebrews 10:25 says “not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

Faith isn’t worth much if it isn’t tested. (James 1:2-4) “Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Hebrews 12:2 and Acts 3:16 indicate that even our faith is a gift from God. Jesus is the originator and perfector of our faith and it comes through Him. I desperately need Him to do the work, and He will! Jesus died for us knowing that we can’t do it. So, Lord, use us and perfect us in the way You see fit. Please strengthen our faith and trust in You as we remain, one nation under God.

Amen

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What To Trust

What a surreal and crazy time to be alive!!! If we allow it, a constant barrage from 360° will come at us with any “news” we might search for. In the misinformation age, what can we believe, what can we trust? Today a dear friend prayed with me for clarity about some personal issues and one big theme that came up was that I had learned not to trust people at a very young age, in my own home. It was an unexpected turn in our prayers but really made me think about the applicability to my current life and my Christianity. Perhaps God can use this distrust for good and for discernment? God has surrounded me with such an amazing group of like minded individuals, I am incredibly blessed! They are seeking Him, growing, learning, praying, sharing, and being vulnerable with each other. We have learned to trust each other. I am grateful that God has provided this network for us.

That being said, I think these times will quickly be testing our trust beyond any level we could have imagined. In that, what is true, verifiable, and trustworthy? The only thing I possess which I know to be 100% true and verifiable is the Word of God. The only One I know to be 100% trustworthy is God.

As humans, we long for someone to trust. Someone who will not let us down when we let each other down or get let down by life circumstances. It is inevitable that this life will most certainly lead to hurt of some sort. Truth seems so relative these days, causing unease and worry. But let us remember each other in prayer no matter what happens, and let us never forget our common bond in our Father. Hide the Word in your heart, lean not on your own or others’ understanding. Trust the One who knew you before you were conceived and who will be with you through these times and long after they are over.

Thank You Lord, for Your people and for Your truth. Be with us now and forever whether we are together or alone. Strengthen our trust in You to carry us through, to run the race with endurance and to run it well for our audience. Let us take encouragement from the cloud of witnesses who are cheering us on and ultimately, from You, Lord. You who chose us for this very time, knowing full well how our trust might be held to the fire to be tested.

Lord, please bless those who are reading this. Your will be done in our lives for Your glory and to expand Your kingdom on earth. In the name of the Amen.

Proverbs 3:5&6

Hebrews 12:1

Isaiah 26:3

Psalm 119:11

Jeremiah 1:5

Matthew 28:20

Hebrews 13:5

James 1:3

Matthew 6:10

Philippians 4:13

Isaiah 43:7

Revelation 3:14

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