Pray...and Don't Pray

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”            I Timothy 2:1-2

Did God mean the Christians who received this letter should pray for Nero, their evil ruler ?  Yes.

Did He intend that Russian Christians pray for Josef Stalin ?  Yes.

That German Christians should pray for Adolf Hitler ?  Yes.

Did God intend that Christians pray for the success of those rulers’ evil deeds ?  Of course not.

We should obey God, and pray for our current president.

But it is an offense to God, as some teach, that Christians should pray that God reverse His Own moral Law, and make the lies and unrighteousness of our current president "succeed."

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

Blessing

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

A few years ago I was praying, and asking God to bless various people who were sick, or lost their jobs, bless our church activities, etc.

God said, "You're praying all wrong."

So I waited to hear what He was going to say.

He said, "You pray for blessings like they were a pile of poker-chips I push across the table to people."

When I considered what He'd said, I had to admit, yes, that really was how I was thinking of blessings.

"No." He said.  "Blessing is My Presence."

That's been my definition ever since of what "blessing" is.

Blessing to all who read here.

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

Sin is Stupidity, and Stupidity Sin

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

Sin is absolute stupidity.  And stupidity is absolutely sin. 

There's all kinds of ways to work that through: but here's a biggie.

Doing self-destructive things is laughable...and fatally stupid.  We're all familiar with the Darwin Awards.

Sin is self-destructive.  Going against God's commands is ASSURED self-destruction.  That's real stupid.

But wisdom keeps us from being stupid.  And God offers WISDOM to anyone who asks Him in faith (James 1:5-6).

Maybe some haven't heard His promise, and don't know to ask.

But the profoundly stupid are those who know God's promise, and choose instead to "turn to his own way" (Isaiah 53:6)

God says that choice is sin.  God says that choice assures self-destruction.  That choice is stupid.

The good news is that although we've all been stupid ("all have sinned..."), we don't have to stay stupid.  God offers us the chance to change our minds: the Bible's word for that is "repent."

That starts by admitting you were stupid, and asking God for His wisdom to keep you from continuing in stupidity.

Father, open the eyes of CHRISTIANS in this country to repent this destructive political foolishness.  Father, please forgive us for so sorely OFFENDING you all these years.  God, Father, forgive us !!

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

Now Recruiting

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
  

Everybody wants to believe they're on "God's side."

But quoting Bible verses on facebook is no proof. The way we know if we're on "God's side" is if we love Him.

The way we know we love God is if we OBEY Him.

God commands us to love mercy and peace. He commands us to hate lies and unrighteousness.

Recruiters for "God's side" and the "other side" are standing by right now on facebook.

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

Capitalism, Really ?

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

I'm amazed how many of my Christian facebook "friends" post stuff about how righteous capitalism is.  Usually that alleged righteousness is by comparison with some very evil economic theory . . . usually socialism.

It's true Jesus had plenty to say about righteous economic relations.  But it seems questionable that any human economic theories really embody what He taught.

Capitalism certainly doesn't.  Capitalism is a materialistic philosophy.

Should Christians champion materialism ?


                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

Star Wars Christianity

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

There's a scene in the original "Star Wars"...

Imperial storm-troopers are searching for Luke and his friends.  As they approach the spot where Luke and friends are hiding, Obi-Wan Kenobi takes a stance in front of the storm-troopers' officer, looks commandingly in his face, and says, "There's nothing to see here."

The officer turns and says to his men, "There's nothing to see here."

Obi-Wan Kenobi says to the officer, "Move along !"

The officer dutifully commands his men, "Move along !"

 Yeah, it's like that.  

Trumpi-Wan Kenobi looks the Church in the eye, and says, "Nothing to see here."  No lies, no viciousness, no arrogance, no unrighteousness ...no wrong spirit...at the heart of America's government.  And the "leaders" of the American Church dutifully tell their people, "Nothing to see here, Christians."  

The difference is that Trump's not even trying to hide his pride, his hatred, and his lies.  His spirit, his unrighteous spirit, is in plain sight, every day, continually: exactly as he thinks it should be, and demands it be...himself every Page 1 story, every place in all the world, every minute.

But never mind, Church.  Keep posting your Bible-verses about salvation and your "Like if you love Jesus !" memes on facebook.  Nothing spiritual to see in the world's daily events..

Pay no attention to the spirit behind the curtain. 

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

Muslim Immigration

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

It’s always been hard to evangelize Muslims. Most of their countries ban Christian missionaries, to keep their people from hearing the good news of Jesus.

But that doesn’t thwart God’s wisdom and mercy toward Muslims. He brings them to us, in this country where we are free to tell them the good news, and…most importantly…live the gospel in front of them, and toward them.

Thank you, Father ! Your Ways are always righteous and perfect !

(Isn't it amazing how "the world" always gets what God does upside-down, and backwards ?!?)