We all know the economy is struggling. Mike & I received our quarterly retirement statements last week and it sure wasn't pretty (and we're not talking huge investments either). The presidential election is only 2 weeks away, and we have, dare I say, the most liberal presidential candidate ever running in this election. So many people supporting him with his ideas to take a "woman's right to abortion" to the extreme in support of leaving a newborn unwanted baby to die, to "spread the wealth around" (a.k.a "socialism"), more and more dependancy on government, and who knows what his religious views are or even if he is proud to be an American citizen. All because people say they want "change."
I fear what may lie ahead for our nation.
This article describes a historian's concept for the rise and fall of a democracy. I can see how things very much may be headed in this direction. But, I do know that whatever the future holds for our country that...
God IS in control....
And we now, more than ever, need to be on our knees in prayer, pleading to God for our nation.
I would encourage you, if you haven't already, to research the candidates & the issues, not only for U.S. President but also state/local politicians, and encourage others to do the same through sources such as
Fox News,
Ohio Round Table or
Focus on the Family's Citizenlink, (including the
Newsletter from Dr. Dobson & "
Values Voter Guide") so that as many as possible especially other Christians can be educated on the real issues/facts here and not just vote blindly on a surface notion...
Ok, enough talk on politics and the economy
(I am not one to be interested in those things but I do think we need to take the current events seriously right now)...
I want to share an excellent book which I think will be a source of encouragement during these uncertain times, because it is a study on God's sovereignty....
I recently started reading
"Trusting God" by Jerry Bridges (Mike has already finished it.) This is a great book to accompany your Bible reading...
Excerpts from Chapter 1:
"Yet it is just as important to trust God as it is to obey Him. When we
disobey God we defy His authority and despise His holiness. But when we
fail to trust God we doubt His sovereignty and question His
goodness."
----
"In order to trust God, we must always view our adverse circumstances through the eyes of faith, not of sense."
----
"Rather than being offended over the Bible's assertion of God's sovereignty
in both good and calamity, believers should be comforted by it.
Whatever our particular calamity or adversity may be, we may be sure
that our Father has a loving purpose in it"
----
"It was for Jesus in His humanity a calamity sufficient to cause Him to
pray, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me' (Matthew
26:39) but He did not waver in His assertion of God's sovereign control."
----
"Jesus Himself affirmed God's sovereignty in calamity when Pilate said to Him, 'Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?' Jesus replied, 'You would have no power over me if it were not
given to you from above' (John 19:10-11)"
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I was hoping that the sermon entitled "Voices in the Chaos" from this past Sunday would be posted on our church website but it is not on there yet so I will post Part II when it is available for listening...
1 comment:
Yes, it is a bit fearful isn't it. We just have to keep preaching to ourselves that God is Good. The quote from the book, "if we don't trust his sovereignty we don't believe God is good" - excellent reminder! Great Book & recommendation to read, Jen! And I also like the one about Jesus before Pilate - using it to remind us that God won't just "allow" the next candidate to be elected, He actively ORDAINS it.
And, in the backs of our heads we know things here on earth need to get worse before they get better so perhaps we are heading that way? Thank you Lord for your sovereignty and your wisdom in ordaining all things. Help us to trust you with our hearts and minds as we watch how you will unfold things!
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