I don't know if anyone has seen or heard the news recently - but things aren't so positive lately. The stock market fell below 8000 points yesterday, the auto industry is facing bankruptcy, retail stores are already starting to complain about how slow the holiday season is going to be, and market analysts are saying that millions of people will be laid off of work starting the first of the year. Throw in the "regular" news about traffic accidents, rapes, and homicides and the news is practically a sure setup for depression. In fact, I think that if people actually started getting depressed because of the news, the news would cover that story.
The kicker for me this year is the news about the finances - especially in the midst of the upcoming christmas season. Why is so much emphasis being placed on the financial crisis of this nation at a time when we are supposed to be remembering the greatest gift that we have ever recieved? Why is the news so blatently negative a mere week before thanksgiving?...a time when we are supposed to be giving thanks for all that we have and praise and honor to the Lord.
Why is there constant grumbling among everyone? Have we really turned money and finances into our god in this nation? I fear that we have.
The Lord's first commandment to the people of Israel, and perhaps the greatest commandment in the bible - "You shall have NO other gods before Me."
Maybe its just me - but having NO other gods before God means that God makes the top story on the news each night. Why not put a positive and encouraging news story first on the news? Does anyone realize that the two of the Huisman candidates for 2008 are solid Christian athletes? Or what about the positive story of a church in Ohio that has completely stocked the local food bank in thier local town for the remainder of the year?
Lord,
Help us to keep YOU as our top priority in life. Its so easy for us to get caught up in the daily symantecs of life - and often place things like our finances or our busy schedule ahead of You. We love You Jesus, and we apologize if our sinful nature gets in the way of that Love sometimes. In this Holiday season filled with busy schedules and gift giving, we ask that You remind us daily to keep You as the center of our life. Adjust our attitudes to one of thankfulness and praise to You Lord.
Amen
Grace & Peace
-J
11.20.2008
11.04.2008
Trust...
Well America, we have a new president for the next 4 years. There are a lot of people out there who are very excited about this - and I can totally see why. Senator Obama has got some wonderful plans for restoring strength in America's economy, and caring for the citizens.
I, however am not very excited...I am skeptical. I don't feel like Barack Obama has proved to me or the rest of America that he is in touch with Jesus Christ, and I am not sure if he is ready to lead this nation according to the will of Jesus Christ. Are we seriously ready to be led by a man who may be Muslim? Or Athiest?
We've asked God out of our schools already, and there are many who say that God shouldn't be in the constitution, or on our currency. It seems to me that if we ask HIM to leave us, that he will.
I am trying to look at this situation like one of the Israelites being led out of Egypt under Moses. Can you imagine being asked to leave the comfortable life that you've been used to for so long - and journey through the desert to a promised land? Even though times were rough and you were a slave - being asked to wander in the desert for 40 years would not come as something that I would easily accept.
Still, those people had trust - trust that Moses was going to lead them through the thick and the thin, and trust that God had a plan for HIS people and that he would not harm them.
I am trusting that God has a plan for the United States - and that Barack Obama is part of God's plan. I am praying that God has not left this great nation already, but that he is working in mysterious ways to execute his master plan.
Lord,
You're so Faithful to us - over and over again, when we doubt you, you still come through for us. Thank you for your faithfulness, and for your Love.
Lord, despite our unfaithfulness to you, please choose to not leave the Country of the United States of America. Please continue to dwell in the hearts of those that dwell in this great land.
We love You Lord, and we ask that You continue to execute your master plan for the Unites States and its citizens.
Amen.
I, however am not very excited...I am skeptical. I don't feel like Barack Obama has proved to me or the rest of America that he is in touch with Jesus Christ, and I am not sure if he is ready to lead this nation according to the will of Jesus Christ. Are we seriously ready to be led by a man who may be Muslim? Or Athiest?
We've asked God out of our schools already, and there are many who say that God shouldn't be in the constitution, or on our currency. It seems to me that if we ask HIM to leave us, that he will.
I am trying to look at this situation like one of the Israelites being led out of Egypt under Moses. Can you imagine being asked to leave the comfortable life that you've been used to for so long - and journey through the desert to a promised land? Even though times were rough and you were a slave - being asked to wander in the desert for 40 years would not come as something that I would easily accept.
Still, those people had trust - trust that Moses was going to lead them through the thick and the thin, and trust that God had a plan for HIS people and that he would not harm them.
I am trusting that God has a plan for the United States - and that Barack Obama is part of God's plan. I am praying that God has not left this great nation already, but that he is working in mysterious ways to execute his master plan.
Lord,
You're so Faithful to us - over and over again, when we doubt you, you still come through for us. Thank you for your faithfulness, and for your Love.
Lord, despite our unfaithfulness to you, please choose to not leave the Country of the United States of America. Please continue to dwell in the hearts of those that dwell in this great land.
We love You Lord, and we ask that You continue to execute your master plan for the Unites States and its citizens.
Amen.
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