An Election Response

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

A word to Christians everywhere.  I'm somewhat shocked by our response to the election results.  The disregard for the power and love of God astounds me. 

Its as if we don't have a God who made it rain bread from heaven, Exodus 16:35; made water burst forth from a rock, Exodus 17:6; who provided unfailing oil and meal, 1 Kings 17:14; increased the widow’s oil, 2 Kings 4:2-6; fed one hundred men, 2 Kings 4:42-44; fed five thousand men and their families, Matt. 14:21, Mk. 6:44, Lk. 9:14-17, John 6:10,11; provided a huge catch of fish, John 21:11; and turned water into wine, John 2:9-11.

We must have forgotten that God revealed Himself as a pillar of cloud and fire, Exodus 13:21; parted the Red Sea for His people to escape, Exodus 14:29; showed up as a glory cloud in the tabernacle, Exodus 40:35; held the sun and moon still, Joshua 10:11-14; rained fire from heaven, 2 Kings 1:10-14; reversed the shadow on a sun dial, 2 Kings 20:11, Isaiah 38:8; and protected some guys while they were in a fiery furnace and a cave of lions, Daniel 3:20-26, Daniel 6:22.

Didn't our God walk on water, Matthew 14:25, Mark 6:48, John 6:19; make a donkey speak, Numbers 22:28; heal multiple people with leprosy, 2 Kings 5:14, Matt. 8:3, Mark 1:40,41, Luke 5:12-14; heal blind men, Matthew 9:29-30, Matthew 20:30-34, John 9:1-7; heal a withered hand, Matthew 12:13, Mark 3:5, Luke 6:10; heal multiple crippled people, John 5:9, Acts 14:8-10; heal snake bites, Numbers 21:8, Acts 28:3-6; reattach a severed ear, Luke 22:51, and raise from the dead the widow's son, the Shunammite's son, Jairus's daughter, the saints, Lazarus, Tabitha, Paul, and Eutychus, 1 Kings 17:22, Luke 7:15, 2 Kings 4:33-36, Matthew 9:25, Matthew 27:52, John 11:43-44, Acts 9:40-41, Acts 14:19-20, Acts 20:9-12?

If I remember correctly, Jesus revealed himself to Saul, a guy who was driven to violence towards Christians, and radically transformed his life, Acts 9:3-7; I also remember a king named Nebuchadnezzar who changed his ways and repented before God as God demonstrated His power over his life, Daniel 4:34-37.  God also opened prison doors and released His apostles from prison, Acts, 5:19, Acts 12:5-7, Acts 16:25-26; he calmed storms, Matthew 8:26, Mark 4:39, Luke 8:24; healed wombs, Genesis 25:21, Genesis 30:22, 1 Samuel 1:27, 2 Kings 4:17, Luke 22:51; and cast out demons, 1 Samuel 16:23, Matthew 8:28-32, Mark 5:2-13, Luke 8:26-33, Matthew 9:32,33, Matthew 12:22, Luke 11:14, Matthew 15:22-28, Mark 7:25-30, Matthew 17:14-18, Mark 9:17-27, Luke 9:38-42, Mark 1:23-26, Luke 4:31-37, Luke 8:2, Luke 13:11-13, Acts 16:18.

Our God is all powerful.

Now let us not forget His grace towards us and all of humanity.  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ (Romans 3:24).  As one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.  For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.  Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 5:19-21).  God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved - and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:4-9).  This is God's love towards us:  Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

We, all of humanity, are absolutely loved and adored by God.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!  Be of the same mind in the Lord.  Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.
- Philippians 4:1-8


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