Distractions

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
For the Christian there are many distractions in this world, distractions that move our attention away from the eternal and to the temporal. This was true of the first century Christians and for us today.
As American Christians it is easy to be distracted right now. Events and decisions have occurred that rationally to do benefit our nation. We are witnessing the demise of a country that many of us fought for and that our friends and family have died protecting. As we watch this dismantling of our nation it is upsetting and unnerving.
Yet, for the Christian we are called to pray for our nations leaders and not to speak ill of them. The purpose—to “lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” The current changes and struggle in our nation is not our battle; for such a battle is only temporal as compared to the eternal.
Our country is a heavenly one, for we are “strangers and pilgrims” (1 Peter 2:11) in this earthly country and this earthly life; we are just passing through as we follow Christ.
Therefore, we should pray and prayer will turn our focus towards the things of God so that for God we may live a godly life and one of peace and honesty.

Keep Looking Up!

“Here's the story I'll tell my friends when they come to worship, and punctuate it with Hallelujahs: Shout Hallelujah, you God-worshipers; give glory, you sons of Jacob; adore him, you daughters of Israel. He has never let you down, never looked the other way when you were being kicked around. He has never wandered off to do his own thing; he has been right there, listening.” (Psalm 22:22)

In a time when earth quakes are shaking the earth and governments are forming, reshaping, and converging and fears are building (Luke 21:26); we can have confidence when we look up. For the God that created the heavens and the earth and who shaped you in the womb and who knows your fears and tears; is on the throne.

God, our God is on the throne and he’s in control. God reigns supreme in the rubble of fallen buildings, in the empty bank account, and in the broken heart. God has not nor will not fail you but humanism will, governments will, and unrighteousness will.

God is shaking the foundations of mankind and the hindrances that blind the eyes from clearly and purely seeing him. Yet, we see Christ! We know Christ because he first knew us; we love him because “he first loved us.”

No, we are not abandoned and we are not forsaken. But the frail things, the weak and earthly things are shaken to disturb mankind’s heart enough that they might look up instead of looking out or trusting that which is in.

Put your trust in God for he is near!