January 27, 2009

Number 4

VIEWPOINT

Do you need a little peace in your life?  

The apostle Paul gave us some practical help in Philippians 4:4-6.  

“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 everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Keep in mind, he was in prison when he wrote it.  So, Paul knew what he was talking about!

First, rejoice in all things. Paul knew how to keep from becoming calloused by life’s troubles.  His life was full of God’s joy.  

Don’t worry. Trust God. Worry wastes our time and accomplishes nothing. Instead of being gripped by fear, worry, and stress, be gripped by the grace of God.  Rest and relax in Him. He has promised to deliver us from all our fears.

            Pray about everything. Really converse with God on a daily basis.  Pray with an attitude of devotion and trust.  When we pray, we don’t become immune to the problems of life, but we will be in touch with the Redeemer.

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Who is paying attention?  In a recent sermon I paraphrased Ephesians 4:17 by saying, “God’s in charge, so shut up!”  To which Riley Minichowski (almost age 10) commented, “He shouldn’t say ‘Shut up.’ There are children here!”

I look forward to seeing children of all ages this Sunday with a Bible, a smile and a positive word. RA

What You Won’t Hear about Politics on the News

·      When evil men are put in positions of power and influence, other wicked people appear everywhere.  “The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted” (Ps. 12:7).

·      Righteousness in the people, not a strong economy or a powerful military, makes a nation great.  “Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). A robust economy and a strong military will not cause righteousness, but righteousness will produce a healthy economy and an adequate defense system.

·      Fail to punish lawbreakers swiftly and justly, and criminals get worse. “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” (Ecc. 8:11).

·      A divided nation cannot stand. “And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand” (Mark 3:24). Abraham Lincoln quoted these words of the Lord as he pleaded with a nation torn apart by conflict.  Now some are determined to destroy this land by creating hostility between ourselves.

·      Nations as well as individuals reap what they sow.  “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Ps. 9:17).

·      Anarchy leads to ruin.  “In those days there was no king in Israel: ev­ery man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Jdg. 21:25).  Yet this is the very philosophy some teach and demand.

·      When people fail to acknowledge their Creator, there is an inevitable decline in morals. “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful. . . .” (Rom. 1: 21).  The rest of the chapter describes the horrid condition of these Gentiles as they turned to idolatry, homosexuality, murder, hate, and other sins.

·      When people try to govern themselves and conduct their lives by their own wisdom, they fail miserably.  “0 Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23).  “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Prov. 29: 18).  This vision is not foresight and planning by leaders; it is divine revelation.  This does not mean we have or must have more revelation from God in the form of visions.  The principle, however, is that unless we rely on guidance from the law of God we are doomed.

·      “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will” (Prov. 21:1).  Imagine a political analyst quoting those words!  Or imagine hearing these words on the news:  “The most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men” (Dan. 4:17).

·      “If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter:  for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they” (Ecc. 5:8).   (by Kerry Duke)