Love

Love is not merely a feeling, but also an action. It means nothing to feel love until I understand how to live it. 

Standing Behind Our Beliefs

In 10 short days, the citizens of this country will make a decision—not only a great one, whom should become (or remain) president, but also the smaller issues at the state level. November 6^th is Election Day. I think for many people, including myself, that mention brings about stress and worry. And why not? It’s an important matter, a grave one, deciding who should lead this country. It can be downright frightening to think about the various choices you have, as a citizen, and the possible ramifications of those choices. Every voice counts. I firmly believe that. After all, it is the small stones that build up a mountain; the bricks that make the building; the words that make a sentence, and eventually a book. Every single vote inscribed on the ballot, and every vote not used, will count in the outcome. That’s why I am asking you to carefully consider what you will do this Election Day. 

As Christians, we come with beliefs all our own. Many of those are—or should be—strong and different from the world’s ideals. But it can be extremely easy to settle into a habit of speaking out about something, or harboring beliefs within, but failing to stand behind our words. Words are nothing if they are empty. There has to be undying devotion to fill them, or they are blown away by the wind. If you claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ, then it is your duty to follow Him through belief and action. All it takes for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing. Your vote has POWER.  

There will never be a perfect candidate, for not one of humankind is spotless. But there are those who are better than the alternative, those who are less bad than the other party. Please humble yourself, be brave through Christ, and follow His leading. Vote your Biblical values, encourage those you meet and know to do the same, and leave the outcome in God’s hands. There is no place, I believe, in His family for those who leave the work to someone else. Certainly He is powerful enough to conquer evil. But God has called upon His servants to come against the powers of darkness, doing all they can, in His name, to vanquish Evil. 

Accompany your vote with Prayer. Join forces with Christians all around this country, and raise your voice to the Lord. He hears you! The fervent prayer of the saints is the strength behind the angels, it empowers them to obey God. There is a spiritual battle that we feel often, but cannot see, though the effects and outcomes are often visible to us. It rages constantly, this fight between Good and Evil. Be strong and pray that God will raise up righteous leaders over our country, that He will strength His heavenly forces and vanquish evil, and that His will be done in the election. Pray that all citizens will vote for Biblical values, and pray for His perfect outcome in this election.  

Be comforted, dear one, for we have a wise and great God standing with us! Be brave, and stand with Him. He knows your fears, He understands the gravity of this election…all He asks of us, is that we will obey Him, in word and action. 

 And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God; Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

Dan 9:20-23

Election Day is November 6^th. Pray for God’s guidance, and do your duty…

VOTE!

 

Of Love

It’s a question I have considered quite often, and one I think that God has been asking me. "Am I a friend worth having?" Because He has made us such relational beings, people are important to us—or should be. Nowadays, as we as a culture grow more self centered, me-minded and focused on technology, I think it has become easy to blur the definition of friendship. To many, true friendship is nonexistent. Perhaps a thought, certainly not an action.

Here is what most consider the definition of friendship, as found in the Bible…

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13 (KJV)

Before, I’ve thought that it probably referred to the degree of loyalty in one who would sacrifice his life (die) for his friend. That was the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus for us, whom He has called His friends.

Yet I believe that it’s not just death this verse is talking about. It’s life. If I’m truly a friend, that means I will lay down the very substance of my life; my time, resources, dreams, opinions, preferences, and desires; if that sacrifice will help another. It means I will want what is best for them. We will share our lives, because I value their participation in it, and because I want to go through life hand-in-hand with them. It means I will be God’s tool of edification, encouragement, and support no matter where it takes me. A true friend will lay down his or her life and all that it contains for another person’s good. True friends will not abandon the relationship when it gets difficult…the trials will draw them closer.

Friendship is a sacred gift that should not be abused or taken lightly. I pray that God will teach me to be a friend worth having.