A 2021 Concern

As an older man was entering a building, a young woman was following him. He opened and held the door for her. She angrily said, “Sir, you don’t have to hold that door for me because I am a woman!” He smiled and stated, Miss, I am not doing this because you are a woman, I am doing this because I am a gentleman.

At a banquet for the “rich & famous,” a man passed a note asking a beautiful woman, “Will you sleep with me for $100,000?” She shook her head, yes. He passed another note, “How about for $50?” With indignation, she blurted out, “Sir what kind of woman do you think I am?” He responded calmly, “We established that with the first question, now we are negotiating price.”

What we see ourselves as…determines the way we act. 

What I have been observing for some time…not just January 6, has produced a deep concern in me for my fellow citizens. Not U.S. citizens…although I count my U.S. citizenship as a great privilege, yet I am a dual citizen and my first allegiance is to that home and its leader.

Philippians 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ

Hebrews 13:14–16 For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

I am not here to judge what any of my brothers or sisters should do, hoping only to bring to our minds why we are here. We live in this world not to represent a temporal country or a political ideology. We represent an offer, and the Person Who is giving it, to every human being, whether we agree with them or not, an opportunity to have a relationship with the One that created them.

Our citizenship to our home comes with responsibility:

2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Ambassador? What does that mean? From Webster’s Dictionary: a diplomatic agent of the highest rank accredited to a foreign government or sovereign as the resident representative of his or her own government or sovereign

I know how easy it is to be caught up in what I consider right versus wrong, what my rights are, what my U.S. heritage is. (My father served this country for 40+ years, and I had to follow him all over the world, 13 homes in 17 years, 3 different High schools, all because he was committed to the USA, and I have no complaints.) So I know the frustration and anger I can feel…and even allow it to control me if I let it. 

Still, as a citizen of God’s home and actually a representative, what should my focus be? Again, I am not judging how any brother or sister behaves as they confront these issues, some may feel led to take a stand as Bonhoeffer did, others may choose to be like Paul, who endured the beating and then pointed out his rights. Rom. 14 makes it clear that only God has the final judgment concerning our actions when dealing with issues that the Scripture does not definitively teach on what to do. However, Scripture is clear about this: 

James 1:19–20 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. For human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.

Whether you are for the results of the U.S. election or not, whatever you do, it cannot, must not be, controlled by anger. It gives our adversary a foothold into our life.

Ephesians 4:26–27 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

Funnel the energy of that anger toward God…He will make it productive. Ask yourself some important questions: Am I obeying 1 Tim 2:1-4 – Praying for all leaders. Donald Trump, Joe Biden? Paul was under Nero, yet prayed for him…neither Trump nor Biden come near the evil Nero did! When people around me see me…what do they see? An angry American full of hate and wishing the worst on those that disagree with me, or an Ambassador for Christ, seeking ways in the midst of all this ugliness to point folks to the only One that can really bring them security, peace, and contentment? It will not be any political solution! If God came right now…how important would the election be? Would that family member that hates your politics be ready to meet God? You should hold your convictions, but must we proclaim them in a way that separates us from those that disagree? Even Bonhoeffer sought to only let Christ in his life offend…not his personal opinions.

Can I believe God will give me what I want? Part 1

To really help, I must split this into 2 smaller Devos, instead of 1 long book! ☺

The answer is yes…when you ask God according to what He thinks is best for you! Nate, you tricked me! No, I did not! Health, Wealth, and Prosperity teachers have deceived you! God is not the genie in the bottle that you command. He is not Santa Claus that you give a list to…expecting it to be filled. You won’t get what you want by “declaring it, claiming it, or speaking it into existence” and adding the ingredient “In Jesus Name!” loudly thinking that you can intimidate God into your will! If God gave us everything we wanted we would be destroyed! 

Live under this umbrella – “My greatest desire is to possess what You want for me, Jesus!” 

In John, Jesus encountered a blind man. Here is where He illuminates this Truth. He always has the ability to do whatever we ask, that is never the issue…but in His name means - For His Purpose!

John 9:2–3 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who committed the sin that caused him to be born blind, this man or his parents?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but he was born blind so that the acts of God may be revealed through what happens to him.

We should always be at peace to ask God for our desires, while we remember that His desires are for our best and we cannot see what He sees. I have had disciples ask for a promotion and then manipulated the circumstances to get it, only to lose their walk with the Lord once they received it. I have asked God for His will, even though the only path I allowed to open was my will. Those are regrets that I have had to live through. 

However, I do want to share that if you desire to approach God and ask Him for something, Mark shares 6 mindsets that should exist, so that when you ask, if you desire the very thing God desires, you will see Him give you what you want. 

Mark 10:46-52 

        1. Stop waiting for the perfect circumstances.

Then they came to Jericho…together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus…was sitting by the roadside begging. 

Trying to control circumstances will lead us to manipulation.

Charlie Brown was in his back yard having target practice with his bow and arrows.  He would shoot an arrow, it would hit the wooden fence…then he would go draw a circle around it. Lucy said, You draw the target, then shoot the arrow.' Charlie's response: 'I know that, but, if I do it my way, I never miss!"

Bartimaeus had nothing going for him; he was blind and so poor he had to beg for himself, so he was alone. Yet, he ignored those roadblocks as we see when he determined to get Jesus’ attention. Circumstances are rarely perfect so we must learn to move in faith in spite of them.  

        2. Assume responsibility for your own life.

When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me

He did not just hope his situation would fix itself. If life is not where you want it to be, accept it is that way, and then choose to do something about it. 

3. Stop worrying about what others will say.

Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Even though others tried to stop him, he refused to give up. Our culture, especially the “elite” and “popular” who are slaves to the latest fade will try to make you feel stupid or ignorant because you look to God for direction and supply in your life. 

Faith is believing what God thinks is all that matters, popular or not, culturally correct or not, even demonized or ridiculed. 

The So What: Have you ever taken a stand for God against what the world prefers? What happened? How did you feel? Do you believe trusting God is easy? Do you understand that when you stand with God, you never stand-alone? When you cave to the world’s wants you DO stand-alone!