I promise I am not an end of times doom type personality, but by golly let's be prepared.
Here is a link to a letter from an email I received this weekend. I appreciated what Dee wrote in her forwarding comments, reading this will probably not change anyone's mind on who to vote for, but it certainly gives us heed to arm ourselves as Christ followers to be ready for the persecution to come. Obama spells 'persecution,' warns Focus on the Family Analysts see same-sex marriage, Fairness Doctrine on horizon
This letter is a possible scenario of what our country would be like in 2012, four years after Obama is president if he is elected. This also is "just a scenario", but this is where my mind went with all of this over the course of 2 days.
Anne Graham Lotz was quoted as saying that. "God is a gentleman, if He is asked to leave, He will, he never forces Himself on anybody." We are certainly witnessing a nation that as a whole is starting to ask God and His Lordship to leave.
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To be honest my first reaction after reading this letter was dread, fear and my tummy was sick. As I have thought about it over the weekend God has reminded me of so many things.
1. All the rulers are ordained by God. Romans 13:1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Will I praise God for whoever is elected? Will I see this as something that He has allowed to bring about His will for this world? Scripture clearly states, in all things give God praise. He is still on His Majestic Throne.
2. The Church, the followers of Christ, will go through persecution before Jesus returns. Daniel 12 is a great book to read on End of Times and Jesus speaks to the end in Matthew 24.
So my question to myself is "what am I hoping for here?" Am I hoping that the persecution starts after I die? After my kids die? Am I hoping that I don't have to be the one who deals with severe persecution? Do I want to just skate gently through my age so I don't have to stand firm on God's word when it is very difficult to do so? Am I afraid to stand for Truth (in love, in love, in love). Would I be willing to proclaim Jesus as my King with harsh circumstances to befall me if I did so? I pray to God I would never outlive my faith for Him. (I think about Peter here, and never say never, I just call on Jesus to fill me with His strength)
3. Do I trust God enough to not fear but put my hope in Him as he tells us to do hundreds of times in the bible? Live in the power of the Holy Spirit.
One thing that I think that happens when humans are cornered, is they act hateful out of fear. Whether we are a believer or not, our first human response is to start lashing out, either physically or with hateful words when we are afraid. This is certainly my first knee jerk reaction, but with Christ in us, we can look fear in the face and show it love, God's love.
They will know we are Christians by our love, not by our hate.
Our nation is calling for change, and there is a possibility that God will give them that. Obama is just a face for that change, our nation is deteriorating, just look at what we value. Money, power and strength with little regard to moral value. Many Christians have even invited it into our homes through the television, and through that television we have allowed our children to be desensitized so they are not sure of what truth is anymore.
I need to be more focused on teaching my kids truth. Pray for them to love reading God's word. Help them to see the world not as a fearful place, because Jesus has already overcome, but a place that is desperate for God's love, where they can make a difference for His kingdom.
As a Christian woman this is not the time to be fearful, but a time to take a fresh look at what is going on in my house. What can I do differently to prepare myself and my family to stand strong in the name of the Lord. How can I show my kids to love everyone with God's love but not be led astray? They have to know Jesus.
Yesterday at church there was a great video that said,
Jesus + Anything < Jesus.
We can't water Him down by adding on all of our issues, no pork barreling. What would Jesus do in a time like this?
If our country continues it's downward spiral what do I need to do?
1. Complain about it to everyone who will listen.
2. For the next 4 years whine and gripe how things would be different if only such and such were president.
3. Show the world Christ by reaching out to feed the hungry, house the homeless, visit the prisoners, give water to the thirsty. To treat the least of these like they were Christ himself. Show those around us who God is by our actions and faith in Him. God=Love.
This letter is a possible scenario of what our country would be like in 2012, four years after Obama is president if he is elected. This also is "just a scenario", but this is where my mind went with all of this over the course of 2 days.
Anne Graham Lotz was quoted as saying that. "God is a gentleman, if He is asked to leave, He will, he never forces Himself on anybody." We are certainly witnessing a nation that as a whole is starting to ask God and His Lordship to leave.
------------
To be honest my first reaction after reading this letter was dread, fear and my tummy was sick. As I have thought about it over the weekend God has reminded me of so many things.
1. All the rulers are ordained by God. Romans 13:1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Will I praise God for whoever is elected? Will I see this as something that He has allowed to bring about His will for this world? Scripture clearly states, in all things give God praise. He is still on His Majestic Throne.
2. The Church, the followers of Christ, will go through persecution before Jesus returns. Daniel 12 is a great book to read on End of Times and Jesus speaks to the end in Matthew 24.
So my question to myself is "what am I hoping for here?" Am I hoping that the persecution starts after I die? After my kids die? Am I hoping that I don't have to be the one who deals with severe persecution? Do I want to just skate gently through my age so I don't have to stand firm on God's word when it is very difficult to do so? Am I afraid to stand for Truth (in love, in love, in love). Would I be willing to proclaim Jesus as my King with harsh circumstances to befall me if I did so? I pray to God I would never outlive my faith for Him. (I think about Peter here, and never say never, I just call on Jesus to fill me with His strength)
3. Do I trust God enough to not fear but put my hope in Him as he tells us to do hundreds of times in the bible? Live in the power of the Holy Spirit.
One thing that I think that happens when humans are cornered, is they act hateful out of fear. Whether we are a believer or not, our first human response is to start lashing out, either physically or with hateful words when we are afraid. This is certainly my first knee jerk reaction, but with Christ in us, we can look fear in the face and show it love, God's love.
They will know we are Christians by our love, not by our hate.
Our nation is calling for change, and there is a possibility that God will give them that. Obama is just a face for that change, our nation is deteriorating, just look at what we value. Money, power and strength with little regard to moral value. Many Christians have even invited it into our homes through the television, and through that television we have allowed our children to be desensitized so they are not sure of what truth is anymore.
I need to be more focused on teaching my kids truth. Pray for them to love reading God's word. Help them to see the world not as a fearful place, because Jesus has already overcome, but a place that is desperate for God's love, where they can make a difference for His kingdom.
As a Christian woman this is not the time to be fearful, but a time to take a fresh look at what is going on in my house. What can I do differently to prepare myself and my family to stand strong in the name of the Lord. How can I show my kids to love everyone with God's love but not be led astray? They have to know Jesus.
Yesterday at church there was a great video that said,
Jesus + Anything < Jesus.
We can't water Him down by adding on all of our issues, no pork barreling. What would Jesus do in a time like this?
If our country continues it's downward spiral what do I need to do?
1. Complain about it to everyone who will listen.
2. For the next 4 years whine and gripe how things would be different if only such and such were president.
3. Show the world Christ by reaching out to feed the hungry, house the homeless, visit the prisoners, give water to the thirsty. To treat the least of these like they were Christ himself. Show those around us who God is by our actions and faith in Him. God=Love.
Comments
You are such a precious person. God can change hearts, and may it begin with us. Oh, to be more like Christ and share in His struggles...The sermon last Sunday was so powerful! Praise the Lord, for His great work in your family's life. God is ALIVE AND ACTIVE...the greatest joy we can have is for Him to use us to show His glory.