I wanted to share this song with you today because it spoke so deeply to my heart. I invite you to really listen to the words, hear them with your heart.
Lately I have found myself grieved over some things. I apologize in advance if this post is scattered or out of sorts, I normally do not talk politics but today I really feel that I just need to blog about it, to let it out and perhaps some of you will join me in praying about it.
All around us we are hearing and seeing the turbulence the nation is facing.
All of the anger, the hurt, the angst over things that are taking place in our nation really hit home for me the other day when I saw a story of a pastor actually praying for the death and spiritual demise (spending eternity in hell) of the President of The united States.
Seeing that caused my heart to ache in a way that words cannot describe.
As those who follow and believe the Word of God we are instructed in 1 Timothy 2:1-2 to pray for those that are in authority. I cannot find a scripture that encourages us to pray for their death and eternal destruction. To pray for someone to die and go to hell is simply not biblical. 2 Peter 3:9 says the Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
More and more each day I am hearing of friends, families and most sadly churches being split and divided over issues such as the presidency, health care reform and just politics in general.
In the midst of all of the noise the one thing that I'm not hearing is the call to prayer. The call to pray for our nation, the call to pray for our leaders, the call to intercede for those who have rule over us and to pray for them according to scripture. Where is the call to come together in the unity of the Word of God, to lay prostrate side by side as we humble ourselves and pray as directed in 2 Chronicles 7:14
While I am neither a proponent or opponent of President Obama I am a respecter of the office he holds. I understand and embrace the whole counsel of the word of God. I receive and believe the scriptures when they say it is the Lord who sets up kings and rulers. Psalm 75:7, Daniel 4:35, Daniel 2:21 Romans 13:1-5 are examples of this.
I am sad to say that I have heard some of the most volatile and vehement words coming forth in the past few weeks and months than I've heard in a lifetime. Granted I have not lived as long as some but yet...
What troubles me most is not what I'm hearing from the world, I expect that, it's what I'm hearing from the Church, the body of Christ. Those who have the power to change the world on their knees. Those who have the power to change the atmosphere with their mouths (Proverbs 18:21)
I have heard the president referred to in ugly racial terms and slurs by people who profess Jesus is Lord. I have heard some things that border and cross the line of slander, gossip and malice by those who say Jesus is the Head of their life. Jesus told us in Matthew 12:36 that in the day of judgment we will have to give an account for every idle word that we have spoken.
I have received forwarded emails that have sent up red flags. As believers we must be very careful that we do not cross a line in our advocacy and fall into sin.
When I hear those that name the name of the Lord as savior and head of their lives speak evil in the manner that some are in regards to those in position and authority it makes my heart ache. Personally, I understand, I respect and I fight for freedom of speech and I would dare not ever trample on anyones right to exercise it, but as saints do we completely disregard the scriptures under the guise of freedom of speech. 1 Corinthians 10:23 says All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Are the things beng said, slung and shouted edifying or are they stirring the pot?
We are living in times and facing things that makes it very easy to become emotionally charged but rather than being moved by our emotions and adding fuel to the fire we need to search out what is true concerning the issues and matters. Once we have obtained truth we can then move forward in prayer and in a God honoring manner. When we act out of our emotions we can fall into the trap of stirring dissention and discord. (Proverbs 15:18)
One of the biggest source of grief for me in all of this is that the world is watching, and not only are they watching they are listening. What is the report of the world regarding believers? Are our actions and words enlarging God in their eyes? Are they serving to advance the kingdom of God for His Glory or are they having an opposite effect? Are we sending a message that says no matter who is in office God is in control and you can depend on Him? If they see us falling into fear, contention and riotous behavior why and how then can they look to Jesus for their hope?
The world is looking for answers, no, actually they are looking for THE ANSWER, they are looking for hope, they are looking God. We have a responsibility as believers to provide that beacon of light that leads them to the Father.
I also want to be clear on this, I am not in any way diminishing what is taking place in our nation. I am however standing in the knowledge that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, that our true fight is against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. I'm also very aware of the fact that there are some things that are taking place that must take place as they are setting the stage to usher in the return of the Lord, even so come quickly Lord Jesus, come quickly.
Dear Well Watered Women, I think I'll close for now, it seems I have some more praying to do. I invite and encourage you to join me in praying for our nation, our leaders, our brothers and sisters in Christ. Join me in praying for our pastors, our churches and things that are going on that will directly effect us a body of believers as time progresses on.
Until next time
4 comments:
Well said Tony! You are so right! We need to respect the office these people hold.
I too have received emails, etc. concerning what happening in our nations. I can say that all of them are from Christian women. It got me to thinking.....I'm wondering how many of them are having problems and such in their marriages and with their children due to the fact that they themselves aren't respecting the position and or office.
We can't complain about our children rebelling and not respecting authority when we aren't setting a good example. I also wonder how many husbands know that their wives are forwarding so many emails instead of being keeper of their homes.
Just a thought.....
Wow Sandra that is food for thought, good food in fact.
I do worry about the children being constantly exposed to the very disrespecting of those in authorities as well as all the disparaging remarks they hear. It can and will plant the seed of rebellion in their hearts.
I remember a few years back my children were playing with our neighbors children. Out of the blue one them said did you know that if it wasn't for Martin Luther King we would still be taking a whip to your backs. WHAT??? My kids were shocked and upset as a mom I wanted to administer the laying on of hands to those kids but I understood that was an issue of their parents hearts. Those children were under the age of 9 they didn't come up with that on their own.
We have to be so very careful as to what we say behind closed doors, our children hear it, pick it up, embrace it and act/live it out.
I had someone assume that I had voted for Mr. Obama simply because my Facebook status on Election Day said, "Sad his grandmother didn't get to see it." She then felt the need to "educate" me on his policies dealing with homosexuality and gay marriage. My status was a reaction to him as a PERSON. He had lost his grandmother just 3 days before the election. I am all for debating the issues, but let's remember that these are still people. I love the note that the Bush twins left in the White House for Sasha and Malia. It said, "Remember that no matter what the media says about him, he's still your dad."
Ephesians 6:12
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
Blessings!
Those are powerful words.
I remember having some friends assume that my husband and I voted for President Obama because we were black and having some other friends and family assume we didn't vote for him because we are Christians who happen to lean more towards the conserative side in our faith.
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