Verse of the Day - 1 Peter 2:17

Show respect to all men. Love the Christians. Honor God with love and fear. Respect the head leader of the country. ~ 1 Peter 2:17 (NLV)

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Things are really gearing up for the 2008 Presidential elections here in the good ol' U.S.A., and if you thought mud was slinging for the Democratic ticket these past few months, just wait! Between now and November '08, it's gonna get ugly between the parties. It always does. Digging up dirt from candidates' closets, accusations and insinuations flying like bullets meant to kill. It can just leave a bad taste in our mouths. But, I ask you: Are we any better?

I realize this is a free country and we can say what we want about our leaders without risk of imprisonment, but I'm amazed at the number of Christians I hear slinging mud along with the rest of America! When did we decide that slander and hatred was okay? Do politics give us the right the throw away our image of Christ?

Whether you're a Republican or a Democrat, you are under the authority of our President. And you have a 50/50 chance of your guy getting into office. If he doesn't win come November, what will your attitude be toward the man who takes the solemn oath next January? God says to respect the "king" or ruler in government. What does that look like here in 21st century America?

Okay, I may take some flack here, but here goes. It is my unofficial estimate that most Christians are registered Republican. (psst...it might shock you to know there are Christian Democrats in the world...I even know one as a personal friend! :-) And when Bill Clinton was in office, what was the general discussion around the church water cooler, huh? Sometimes outright hatred came out of the mouths of believers in Christ. And seemingly partisan-based! If Bill had been a Republican, I wonder how much Christian sympathy he'd have gotten when he fell from grace. How would Republicans have rallied around him if he stood under a different partisan banner?

It's wrong to slander and discredit. Period. God says that our attitude for our leader (whether Republican or Democrat) should be one of respect. I, for one, believe that America will vote a Democrat into office in November. I don't have a crystal ball -- that's just my guess. So, for those of us who register under the elephant banner, what will our attitude be? Will we commit to praying sincerely for our new President, knowing it is one of the hardest jobs in the world, or will we simply grumble and backbite against him, tuning into conservative radio programs that rail him, getting in our holy huddle and saying, "Don't blame me, I voted Republican..."?

I may sound harsh here, but believers in Jesus have a responsibility to show the love of Christ, and for some reason, politics always brings out the worst in people. As Christians, we seem to be no different. Why is that? It's a shame, I tell you, a shame.

Our current President claims an open faith in Christ. And Christians have rallied around him in prayer like no body's business! And that is honorable and needful. But what will happen to the prayers of the saints if a man of another faith--or no faith--enters the White House? Will it be Oh, Lord, why have you brought this tragedy on our people?...Or will it be Oh, Lord, give him wisdom and guidance as he seeks to lead our people?

Respect the head leader of the country, James says.

I wonder what would happen if we threw our bi-partisanship out the window and began to pray diligently for both candidates between now and November. Pray for their strength and endurance during what will surely be a very long five months. Pray for civility in the campaigns. Pray for their families, because this job takes a terrific toll on more than just the candidates. Pray that they can hear the voice of God in the midst of the campaign chaos.

Whoever wins needs God's help and our respectful prayers. They don't need divisiveness and disgruntled folks stirring up slander and rebellion. Yes, I realize that we won't always agree with his decisions or policies. Yes, we have the right to judiciously petition through the electoral process when we feel strongly about issues. But God says Watch your heart! Don't forget you are my child, and you represent Me. And, by the way, I love your President and I pursue him just like I pursue you. Don't forget that, my child.

Let us show God's amazing love in our political conversations. Let them be sprinkled with grace and hope as we seek to respect our head leader -- whoever that might be.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Romans 5:1

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. ~ Romans 5:1 (NLT)

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We strive for and value many things in this world. We work hard to earn a living, raise our kids the best we know how, and enjoy hard-earned recreation and rest time. We value our friends and family, and our liberty in America. If we are connected to a local church body, we place importance on serving in ministry, meeting needs and sharing Jesus.

But is there anything more important, more valuable, more worth desiring than peace with God? Is this not one of the most basic of all desires of humanity? The countless religions of the world tell us much about man's desire for peace with God, for a right relationship with Him that has no barriers or fear of disconnect.

If you have made a decision to believe in Jesus, the Son of God, and receive the gift He offers of new life from the inside out, you have already attained the greatest treasure that can ever be had on this planet! You are set free, changed from death to life! You are at peace with God, where there is no longer fear of looking into His eyes and seeing condemnation! You can say, "Amen!" -- it's great news!

Perhaps today we need to pare down our thoughts to the profound truth that we have peace with God through the saving work of Jesus Christ. We don't need to clean up our lives first...God knows we are fallen creatures. We don't need to work hard doing good so God will keep loving us....He simply does.

If Jesus is your Lord and Master, you have the greatest treasure of all time! Nothing else should compare with His gift of salvation and our peace with God. Many people in this world are searching high and low, working hard to have peace with God, but missing the mark -- weariness and guilt still plague them, despite all of their best efforts. May we ask God to give us the boldness to share with them the good news of Jesus. If they find Him, they have it all...all that's really important.

Love,
Joelene