Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Be Strong And Take Courage

I was not going to write today. I try extremely hard to not “speak my mind” here but “share my heart”. Today, I suppose, is a little bit of both...


When I woke up this morning I was not stunned, but a sad realization came across me concerning America. She no longer listens to truth, she listens to the media. She does not see people as created in the image of God. She no longer cares for life—new or old, she cares for convenience—no matter the cost. She no longer believes in responsibility of self, but in self entitlement. Maybe you are chuckling at me thinking, "'she no longer'...it's been this way for awhile now!" Yes, perhaps, but I have always tried to think the best of my country and my fellow Americans. I love this country and I love my neighbors within its borders!


But then God......

God whispered these words in my ear this morning... “Be strong and take courage!”

Psalm 31:23-24
"O love the LORD, all you His godly ones! The LORD preserves the faithful and fully recompenses the proud doer. Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the LORD."



Psalm 27:13-14
"I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD."



One of the sadder realizations in all of this is how split the American Christians are. We were all over the place in this election and don’t think that others didn’t notice! Our voice is weakening and will continue to weaken unless we become stronger as a whole.

The only way in which we can do that is to become stronger in our own personal walks of faith in Jesus Christ and to build one another up in our places of fellowship. Iron sharpening iron. Walking in truth, yes, but always in love!

Along with our daily reading and/or studying of the scriptures...we must Pray!

1. Pray for a Great Awakening across our country
2. Pray for the conviction of sins in the hearts of believers and unbelievers alike
3. Pray for a turning to Righteousness
4. Pray for a new culture with Christ—one of higher standards above the current culture
5. Pray that Christianity be distinctly different! (Salt and light have to BE different to BE noticed!)
6. Pray for a fear of God
7. Pray for those in authority

Most of all, remember who reigns as Lord and King forever...Jesus!

“The Lord sits as King forever.” Psalm 29:10

Keep your eyes on Him. Keep setting your heart to seek Him and His precepts for life.

“Be strong and take courage” in Him!


~To clarify my comment on "life--young and old"...I live in Washington state where a measure on doctor assisted suicide for the terminally ill was approved yesterday... ~