BARACK OBAMA!!!

Praise the Lord for our new president! Yes, praise the Lord. I didn’t vote for him only because I can’t support the Democrat’s stance on the killing of unborn children or legalizing gay marriage.  Otherwise, I do celebrate this historic moment. I look forward to the walls of racism continuing to fall in our nation. He is God’s man for this time and God will use him to fulfill His purposes.  Although, I didn’t support him with my vote, I will support him with my respect and prayers.

This, my friends, is our Biblical obligation. God expects us to submit, honor and pray for those in authority over us. It has nothing to do with whether we voted for them or agree with them. Consider Romans 13: 1-2. “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resists will bring judgment on themselves.”

1 Timothy 2: 1-2 says, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”

The burden and responsibility of our president is great. He will be faced with decisions that affect the moral fiber of our country, our safety and economic well being. We must pledge our prayers and support. He will need it. His family will need it and our great country will need it. Let’s join together and pray, God Bless Barack Obama and God Bless America.

Be Sure Your Sin Will Find You Out

I heard that a lot growing up in church and even more so from grandma, one of the godliest people I’ve ever known. Usually it was used to communicate the thought that there was going to be a consequence for whatever sin I was involved in even if I thought I was concealing it. This is true. However, what it means from the passage in Numbers 32:23 is something different.

The children of Israel were preparing to cross over the Jordan to receive their inheritance of the Promised Land. Two of the tribes who had lots of livestock liked the land east of the Jordan because it was suited for livestock. This also meant that they wouldn’t have to cross over and help their brothers fight to possess their inheritance. Moses as their Spirit led leader saw right through this. He asked them in verse 6, “Shall your brothers go to war while you sit here?” He also accused them of being like their fathers who had earlier discouraged the people from going into the Promised Land. He reminded them that it led to them wandering in the wilderness for 40 years until all of the discouragers had died.

The two tribes decided that they would not discourage their brothers by refusing to help them. In their commitment, Moses told them that if they didn’t keep their word and help their brothers that they could be sure there would be a price to pay for being so selfish. We need to take this to heart. There are so many opportunities to help our brothers and sisters to get to their promised land. Often we overlook them because we are so wrapped up in our own lives that others matter very little to us. We need each other. We are responsible for each other.

We can meet the needs of others in many ways: the actual meeting of a material need, lending a hand with a project or chore, a dinner invitation, fellowship, friendship, offering your services to another leader, a smile, a hug and an encouraging word. Sometimes just showing up is a great encouragement. Showing up and locking arms with each other to fight is even a greater encouragement. Beyond it being a good thing to do, it is our responsibility.

So much so that Moses told them, that if you don’t help your brothers you are going to make God mad again (verse 14) and that you can be sure what goes around will come around (verse 23). Let’s unselfishly help each other, understanding that there is a consequence to selfishness. But rather let’s do it motivated by love and genuine concern.

Audience Expectations

If Jesus would have advertised for followers that is how it would have read? Following Christ isn’t a matter of convenience. It is not something that can be done without bringing a level of sacrifice to our lives. True followers of Christ can’t follow only when they feel like it or when we can fit it into our schedule. Or should I say fit Him into our schedule. Jesus once had a man say “I’ll follow you but first let me go and bury my father”. Jesus responded by saying “Your business is life not death”. Another said, “I’ve bought a field and need to go check it out” and someone else said “I’ve bought some new oxen and need to take them for a test drive”. Then another excuse maker said “I’ve just gotten a new wife and need to go hang out with her”.

While yet one who deems himself to be more religious comes along and asks “what must I do to inherit a place in your kingdom”? After verifying that he had kept all of the Ten Commandments, Jesus told him that there was one thing he lacked. “Go and sell all your goods and give them to the poor and then you can follow me”. Wow! Does Jesus know what buttons to push or what? He knows what we are unwilling to let go of to follow him. The Bible tells us that this man went away sad. He was religious but he wasn’t willing to let go of his wealth even to bless the poor. He had an attachment to his wealth whereas the others mentioned previously had things or relationships that they wouldn’t let go of. What is it that you won’t let go of to commit to Christ? What sacrifices are you unwilling to make to advance the kingdom? What inconveniences will you not personally allow for ministry to others? Who will die and go to Hell on your watch? Who will not be reached because you couldn’t or wouldn’t work it in? Hopefully, not your children or families. We can rest assured that our lack of commitment has an effect on those around us. This is the kingdom of God. Its advancement comes with a cost. It costs God his only begotten Son. It cost Jesus His life. It cost the disciples of the Bible their lives and even their families. There is a cost to following Christ. It may not cost us our lives physically but it will cost. If it doesn’t then we probably aren’t following Christ. It will cost us time, money, discomfort, extra effort, more love, stretching our faith and doing things we’ve never done before. However, the benefits far outweigh the costs.

There still remains a cost for everyone who desires to follow Christ. You and God alone know what your particular cost will be. Unless you are willing to pay it, then don’t even bother. Serious Inquirers Only.