“The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ) and he brought him to Jesus.”  (John 1:41-42)

Weird verse to put into this Blog after an election like we had?  Read on…

It’s amazing how focused we were on the election!  6 Billion dollars were spent to bring about the results that half of our nation is not happy with.  While some refer to this as a victory, others are talking about seceding from the 50 states…and then there is the Church asking, “So now what?”

I am tempted to head off into why I think we are where we are and even address why I believe this has happened to our nation…but I really do not think that will accomplish much nor will it make a difference from the standpoint of hope or even make me feel better by telling it like it is…in my opinion, of course!  But, I will certainly share with you what I will be doing and how I will be living the rest of my days.

To allow the election of one or any office to altar that which I believe in and hold as my compass for hope would be tragic and diminish the power of the Gospel message to just another political viewpoint.  Many are indeed shaken by the outcome of this election.  Some are even bitter.  But I will not allow myself to be changed other than to deepen my desire to do more and be more for the cause of Christ than I was on November 5, 2012.

A few things I have to remember first and foremost.  One, never is the outcome of my life based on any one person being elected or not elected…God is my Sovereign, my pure and only hope.  Two, no matter whom is leading our nation, I will never depart from nor forget to teach others the heritage I have been given to live a life of service and gratitude to my Lord, my nation, my family and those I am privileged to call my friend.  Three, I will continue to live in such a way, it will teach my children and their children the same heritage I was given, passing along the Gospel message as long as I am allowed to breath.  Four, I will continue to invest myself in my family, friends, co-workers and neighbors…to reach them and train them in the Gospel message in such a way that they too will do the same.

Change?  Only change can come when a heart is pierced with an understanding of their need for Christ.  Then and only then can a person reason with truth, love and a gratitude that compels them to fear, love and serve God for the rest of their lives.  This is where Abortion, biblical marriage, care to the widow and the poor are all reconciled and held in proper view.  The Gospel message started with Jesus and the Twelve.  A short time later, after the first recorded death of a Believer, the Gospel was spread to seven nations.  2000 years later, the Gospel message is global, all because Andrew went and told Simon Peter he found the Messiah (John 1:41-42)!  We often forget this…God uses one or maybe up to 300, to change the course of the nations, not by way of the win of a popular vote or majority agreement but when one person simply becomes overwhelmed by God to go and do that which he or she has been called to do.

So, now what?  I will continue to bring my children together and remind them of the things of God and the heritage we have been given by the grace of God and then I will teach them to teach their children the very same things.  I will tell my neighbors about a love that delivers a hope that will never disappoint.  I will convince those I work with that my life is a reflection of the name of Jesus Christ and invite them to participate in the very same grace and mercy I have been given, by way of the Cross of Calvary.  I will shout it out and write it in the sky, that Jesus Christ is Lord and live in such a way that I will serve those that refuse the Gospel message as much as I will serve those in agreement in order to win them over and cause them to see His glory, not mine!  Not one second, will I serve in agreement with evil…I will serve in agreement with my God and let Him deal with them as he did me when I was just like them.

Many will quote Jeremiah 29:11 but very few have ever read the ten verses before it.  Verse 11 is a future promise to give courage to a current trial.  God owes us nothing!  The word “prosper” has no meaning on this side of heaven because God has Eternal Life on his mind, not a flowing economy!  In the meantime, until He comes or I go, I must live here and I will live as instructed in verses 1-10.  I will live in the fullness of God’s provision each day.  I will continue to raise and train up my children, I will pray for goodness to come to the nation I dwell in and I will remember what God has done for me at all times, even when persecution and even death may come.

What a privilege it is to live in these days as a child of God.  We may even see persecution because of our faith and finally have that common ground with the rest of those whom have gone before us and are now in Heaven.  So now what?  It’s time to be faithful!

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