Facts don’t change…but the outcome can
The facts are in. They cannot be disputed. They cannot be changed. Deal with it.
Obama is President.
It is not what we, as Bible-believing Christians, wanted, but it is a truth.
He is making unprecedented changes in record time – much to the disapproval of conservatives everywhere.
We knew it would happen. We knew he was going to go for the biggest change – and he promised the very changes he is making. And then some.
An assault has begun, nay, been stepped up, on the very fabric of American freedom and foundation.
Again, those who listened to his campaign rhetoric, knew what was coming.
Nope. We can’t change what happened. We warned everyone we could think of that an Obama presidency would mean disaster for families, conservative values, and sanctity of life preservation. But, when the votes were tallied, he won. And, since then, many of us have done nothing but complain.
Now, I am not in any way suggesting that we should stop fighting Obama – on the contrary, we should scrutinize his every move, and make a phone call if he does anything in the direction of a liberalistic ideal. We should fight for our every right as we still have them – and fight to get back any we lose along the way.
However, more even than fighting the President, we should take action where we live! How? Support organizations which uphold the values and principles we stand behind. Prayerfully and financially (along with volunteer efforts, etc.) support organizations such as the American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ), Focus on the Family, etc., which fight for these things everyday – often with more pull than a single individual can muster. Instead of arguing across the fence about our right to keep and bear arms, join the NRA! When there is an opportunity to have your voice heard, don’t sit at home and say, “I just can’t believe what those {goofy} liberals are doing now! When will it stop?” Get up, get out, and get going! Stand in front of an abortion clinic. Talk to women who are considering one and offer CHRISTIAN advice. Do something!
But there are more opportunities: volunteer at your local pregnancy help center to help prevent abortion in unwanted pregnancies, volunteer at local soup kitchens, encourage your church to have a more active and widespread outreach ministry, pray for our leader.
God never intended for Christians to be spectators – LIFE is not a spectator sport! Nor are we meant to be mere commentators! He never wanted us to sit around bickering and complaining about things we cannot change. He did mean for us to reach out to make a difference. He did mean for us to find ways to serve the downtrodden in society. After all, isn’t that where Jesus spent the majority of His own time?
So while we do need to stay abreast of what is happening here on our own soil, in the White House Oval Office, and abroad, we cannot let it dictate our mood or attitude any longer. If we do, our words will be ineffective because there will be no action to speak of.
I encourage everyone reading this to find at least one way each week you can make a difference: write to your senator/congressman/woman, etc., volunteer, support a worthy cause, etc. Do something to promote worthy “change” – not just moan about the bad.
The Name Game
From Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, 1594:
JULIET:
‘Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What’s Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What’s in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call’d,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for that name which is no part of thee
Take all myself.Although I’m taking this a bit out of context, Shakespeare’s intended meaning is the same: Juliet meant that it doesn’t matter what name we give to something, it remains the same. Think about it: does a rose smell any different if I call it garlic? Nope. Still smells delicious – just with a different name.
As it is with a lie. Still reeks, just with a different label.
A lie is a lie regardless of the packaging. It’s sort of like being given the most hideous gift ever, something truly revolting, in a beautiful package trimmed with bows, ribbons, exquisite wrapping and a lovely gift card with real gold lettering. The package itself does not make the gift any less revolting. In fact, it makes it worse because you expect something fabulous, and instead, get…..horrific.
In our society, we have given way to “New Age” beliefs, numerology, scientology, kabbala (sp?), hinduism, buddhism, islam, athiesm, homosexuality, abortion on demand, success-oriented churches, astrology, etc. And in doing these things, we heap lie upon lie.
Satan, the author of lies and confusion, loves it. He doesn’t really care what we call his lies as long as we believe them. But the fact remains, it is still a lie. It doesn’t matter what name we give the religion or agenda, if it is contrary to the Word of God, it is a lie. Regardless of the name.
Everything happens for a reason….but whose reason is it?
I know someone who is very fond of saying, “Everything happens for a reason,” meaning that everything that happens is supposed to happen. It’s actually a fatalistic view of the world, of course – depending on who says it.
You see, when a Christian says, “Everything happens for a reason,” what he or she means is that the Lord can use anything for the good of His Kingdom. However, the actual statement, is somewhat faulty. Let’s examine.
God is in complete control – period. However, BECAUSE He allows us free will, things happen everyday that are outside the will of God. For instance: adultery, murder, homosexuality, unwed mothers, theft, idolatry, gossip, etc., are ALL outside the will of God. God CAN use those experiences for good, but that is because He can REDEEM a situation – NOT because He condones it.
The things that happened in my past – wait, let me rephrase – the things that I did in my past are there because I chose to do them – NOT because God wanted me to do them, or to have those experiences. Quite the contrary – had I lived within His will for my whole life, I would have been spared much of the pain of the guilt of sin. But, I chose my own way for a season. Some would say, “Everything happens for a reason.” But, whose reason is it?
The truth is, the things that happened in my past happened for my reasons. They were what I wanted. They were not what God had planned for my life. He knew it would happen. He allowed it to happen. And in his infinite grace and wisdom, He chose to REDEEM my life IN SPITE OF WHAT I DID.
That’s the key – in spite of me. God redeemed my life, saved my soul, and gave me hope not because of me, but in spite of me.
God calls us to obedience, and through obedience, He can bless us. But when we are disobedient, He sometimes allows us to feel the sting of the consequences of our actions so that we can learn a lesson for next time.
Regardless, we serve a God who is in the Miracle Making Business. In fact, He has a monopoly on the market. So, when the world condemns a situation, God can redeem it for His purposes. This is evidenced by Romans 8:28 which says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” In my KJV Bible, the word His is italicized. Emphasized. Special. It is THE word to take note of in this verse – HIS purpose.
So, yes, in a sense, I guess everything happens for a reason. But, we need to be very careful in placing the blame of reason where it rightly belongs. Did it happen because God supernaturally caused it to happen (and He can!)? Or, did it happen because we were living outside the will of God and ignored His laws and precepts?
Bible Reading Challenge wk of 1/19-25/09
Here’s your weekly reading schedule:
Mon: Gen 45-46 Matt 13:1-36
Tues: Gen 47-48 Matt 13:37-58
Wed: Gen 49-50 Matt 14
Thurs: Exodus 1-3 Matt 15:1-20
Fri: Exodus 4-6 Matt 15:21-39
Sat: Exodus 7-9 Matt 16
Sun: Exodus 10-12 Matt 17
Ok, gang….we’ve read through Genesis….what’d you think? It is SO hard to pick a favorite story! One of mine is when the Lord told Abraham that Sarah would have a child and Sarah laughed…lol. I like what happened next!
What about you?
From Helen Keller
“Unless we form the habit of going to the Bible in bright moments as well as in trouble, we cannot fully respond to its consolations because we lack equilibrium between light and darkness.“ Helen Keller
Smart woman….very smart woman.
Something to think about:
From p137 of C.S. Lewis’ The Horse and His Boy
“But one of the worst results of being a slave and being forced to do things is that when there is no one to force you anymore you find you have almost lost the power of forcing yourself.”
Food for thought…..very interesting quote….one that hit me right upside the head the first time I read it.
And, one that God has used to convict me of laziness (OUCH!) and procrastination over and over again!
When you say, “I’ll pray for you”
Your cousin’s mother-in-law is going for surgery in a week. Your cousin asks you to pray. You say you will.
Your best friend says she is worried about her finances and asks you to pray for God to show her what to do. You promise to pray daily until He answers her.
Your brother asks you to pray for his marriage. You agree to pray daily, without fail, until his marriage is back on track and winning again.
But, life happens. You pray, but the prayers are for things you need just to make it through the day. You ask God to help you find your lost car keys, make it to the doctor’s office on time, and to make that last $50 stretch until payday. You remember your promises to pray for your friends and family, so you say a rushed prayer while you drive to the grocery store. You know you should do more, but the time just slips away.
Does this sound like you? I’m not judging, because I have been there all too often, myself. The question is, who are we short-changing when we fail to pray like we promised?
In my humble opinion, we are doing ourselves a disservice. Don’t get me wrong, the person we are praying for definitely receives a benefit, too, but we miss even more. We miss the opportunity to go before the God of the universe and plead for a fellow believer. And sometimes, we have the opportunity to plead for the salvation of another human. We get to wrestle with demons for that person’s eternal destiny!
But, all too often, we don’t. We miss the boat. We throw up a quick prayer and hope God counts it as a real one. Yes, quick prayers are good sometimes – sometimes they are all we can manage in certain situations! But, when there is something big – salvation, health, marriage, etc – at stake, we owe God and the recipient more than a few seconds.
I challenge you to spend a minimum of 3 minutes of prayer for EACH person or situation you have agreed to pray for – daily. For 5 people, that only adds 15 minutes to your prayer time. You can do it! (You may need to get up an extra 15 minutes earlier, but, you can do it!)
Bible Reading Challenge wk of 1/12-18/09
Ok gang….here’s the schedule for the week. Keep in mind, if you can’t read exactly as is each day, just do your best to catch up by the end of the week!
Mon: Gen 30-31 Matt 9:1-17
Tues: Gen 32-33 Matt 9:18-38
Wed: Gen 34-35 Matt 10:1-24
Thurs: Gen 36-38 Matt 10:25-42
Fri: Gen 39-40 Matt 11
Sat: Gen 41-42 Matt 12:1-24
Sun: Gen 43-44 Matt 12:25-50
Almost done with Genesis! What’s your favorite story so far?
