It has been on my heart to address something going on particularly in America right now, but I also know there are some similarities around the world when it comes to elections.
We are in the middle of a political year here in America and the world is watching. Recently while in another country, I heard a businessperson say publicly, “God help us all if Donald Trump becomes the next US president.” I understand the comment, but I am challenged by the attitude and the attitude of so many (including myself at times). I receive a lot of Facebook posts from leaders and at times I am horrified by some of them. I am not angry at what I see and read as much as I am grieved. I feel that we as Christians are simply adding to the problem of creating a greater level of disunity and anxiety among our family and the world around us. While we desire to spread truth, we must be careful that we are not at the same time wounding others in the process and spreading fear.
A statement that I recently read in Shawn Bolz’s new book, Translating God, challenged me. This one statement jumped out at me in light of how I perceive some (including myself) dealing with the political differences and climate around us. Shawn wrote, “We will have no authority over that which we do not love.” In other words, if I had the opportunity to speak to our president would I speak what I have posted in FB or forwarded in a negative email? If I had opportunity to share with him would he know my love for him, my prayers for him or just my oppositions? If we do not love, we will certainly miss out on possible assignments from our Father.
I long for authority in the Spirit to pray for our leaders, but at the same time struggle with their agenda and their damaging decisions. I can’t reconcile a Christian voting for an extremely pro-abortion candidate, but I know they do. I may never understand it, but can I walk in unity with that person? Let me share a few verses that I would like you to read and consider sharing with others as the Lord leads you in light of this subject.
(See: I Corinthians 1:10; Philippians 2:1-4; Ephesians 4:1-4; Colossians 3:12-14; Romans 15:5-7; and John 17:21-23.)
Then in John 18:36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world…” Our kingdom is NOT of this world. We walk in this world of politics, dissension, disagreement and disunity, but we are to be unified as believers because our kingdom is not of this world! Yes, we need to vote, discern, discuss and be clear from the pulpit on godly values when it comes to voting, but at the end of the day we are not to lose our unity with one another in building the kingdom of God, especially as we may vote differently.
I continually think of Daniel in light of this topic. A godly leader who stood to pray for, work with and eat with a very ungodly, secular government and system. While he did not compromise, his love must have continually come through. Daniel, “…resolved not to defile himself.” He received knowledge and understanding through the literature of the culture he was thrust into. He continually spoke with, “…wisdom and tact.” As God’s politician they could not find any corruption in him. The reason for his favor? Daniel 6: 23 says that he trusted in his God. There was no vote. Daniel was not voted into office, God placed him there.
We share from the pulpit on godly values when it comes to voting, but at the end of the day we are not to lose our unity with one another in building the kingdom of God. Recently I heard someone say, “Don’t be deceived to believe that man’s view is always God’s view or that man’s thoughts are God’s thoughts.”
Do you remember the argument in Romans 14 over food, what was clean and what was unclean and then who was weak and who was strong? The whole chapter was about how to treat the weaker in the faith and in the end the writer inspired by God says, “So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” That’s something to think these days…
Jesus and the disciples faced this very thing on a daily basis and then gave their lives, not in opposition of their government but in standing for a kingdom that was not of this world system. Yes, I realize that some wanted Jesus to set up His kingdom on earth at that time, but that was never God’s goal for His Son. Rather, it was to reach the cross and bring to us the ultimate form of freedom.
Paul stood before the government leaders of his day and it was his own Jewish people who insisted on that same government ending Paul’s life.
The message of the kingdom of God is not full of political judgement, issues and division, it’s a message of the heart for the heart. God’s kingdom is a reconciling kingdom. It’s a message of the unifying love of Christ.
So, let’s pray for our next president as believers united in Christ so that we can work together to see His kingdom come with a sense of unity. Let us unite in the need of a leader who stands from a position of integrity, high moral character, experience, truth and one who loves this nation and desires to see it prosper in order to serve other nations. However, let us also realize no politician can save us, only one Name can do that.
And please be reminded of whose side you are on and it’s not liberal or conservative. I have literally been trying to remind myself through these thoughts, “Jesus loves you, this I know even if I disagree with everything you stand for…Jesus loves you and I need to love you as well.” Help us, Father, to love so that we might be known by our love. And as we stand for our beliefs, values and convictions may we work toward unity of the Spirit of Christ.
Mary was a “spender” and I was a “tight wad.” At least those were our thoughts and to be honest, sometimes our spoken words. If Mary had cash, there was something to purchase. If there was money left over at the end of the month, I thought it was there for only one reason, to save. This is how we operated for years into marriage until one day we discovered a morsel of revelation.
Early on in our marriage our biggest struggle was about money. Since that time, we have learned this topic is a struggle for most couples. Not to assume that it is only a struggle when there are insufficient funds, but, as we discovered, when there are sufficient funds as well. We went on to ascertain that the differences had to do with two areas. Those two areas were financial values and trust. In other words, we did not have the same beliefs when it came to spending and saving and those differences led to not fully trusting each other. This blog entry is dedicated more to finding those roots versus practical budgeting tips. So, here are some root issues to consider when it comes to financial values and trust:
I love marriage, being married – my marriage. It is unthinkable to be writing that Mary and I are soon married for 41 years and more in love. It is amazing to be at this place, such a good place. I love “old love.” We’re not as fast as we used to be and neither are we as pain-free, but seriously, love that grows old with someone…there’s nothing like it. At this end of the spectrum, I have something to share about marriage and here are a few of those things:
A number of decades ago in my more youthful leadership years, I had a young coworker who excelled at being a thorn in the flesh. He was in the wrong employment at the time, because in actuality the only probable employment for him was to work under no one, but himself. He simply could not be lead and neither did he have any grace for being part of a team. His team was made up of one: himself. While he didn’t realize it, he was a teacher, a great one. He taught me so much about what not to do, how not to act and who not to be. It was painful trying to work with him, but to this day I know I walk in lessons learned from this man.
For eight years, Mary and I were foster parents of adjudicated teenage boys. Over that eight-year period we fostered 25 different youth. We loved those kids and longed to instill the love of our heavenly Father within them. No state program compared to godly, affirming and accepting foster parents who loved unconditionally. Daniel was with us for over two years, went to Bible College for four years and continued to be in relationship with us until one dreadful day. This is what I learned from loving Dan.
Father’s can’t meet all of their children’s needs. After a failed marriage and many failed same-sex relationships, we received a call that Daniel ended his, all-to-young, 45-year-old life. I wish it could be different, but I am so grateful for what he taught me about life, pain and love without conditions. I know his struggle was real and I just hope he felt real love and acceptance from a temporary foster Dad.
I was sitting at my desk in the office of our home working on my computer when I felt some tingling on the skin of my right leg. A few seconds later the “tingling” became more pronounced and moved to the side of my right calf. Not thinking much of it, I reached down to scratch that area of my leg. Just then I realized there was something there, something foreign, something warm, something alive. I grabbed the outside of my jeans while at the same time grabbing what was clinging to my leg. It squirmed. It was soft. I squeezed tighter. It squirmed some more in an impossible effort to get away. I squeezed even ti-i-i-ighter. It gave up and became still. I then stood, stomped my right leg on the floor and “it” dropped to the carpet, laying there lifeless.
There is this break up of a certain celebrity couple that has recently made the news. It seems that it was over his refusal to have sexual intimacy with her. This is newsworthy today because the media is pointing out his “dysfunction” and not hers. Interesting. Just what will waiting to have sex do for you as a single? Here are a few benefits:
Mid speech the politician talking sheds a tear while the camera zooms in for a closer look on this tender moment. The crowd in the room and the viewer around the world quiets themselves and pauses to observe this deeply felt emotional discourse. Surely tears mean “truth-filled” words are coming from his or her lips and they overwhelm this elected government official. The need or desire must be so great that from deep within their spirit is a groaning to be heard and understood. But is it real or is it an act? I suppose that only the politician and God really know the answer to that question. But, the following are a few ills of this world that I pray politicians will one day weep about in order to provoke change:
Jesus loves these persons. He weeps over the sinful choices of mankind. He gave His life a ransom to redeem every one of these life circumstances and He empowers us to not just weep with Him, but to pray and to ask Him what part we play in changing these real life conditions. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. (Isaiah 9:6,7)
What might happen if you neglect the important things in life? What if you neglected the maintenance on your car? It just might leave you sitting somewhere unplanned. What if you neglected your health? Eventually, your body begins to break down if the mistreatment is severe enough. Or, what happens if you move into your new home and never repair or update a thing? The neglect will eventually cost you in the devaluation of your property or even costlier repairs. If you neglect your job, you will literally be working toward termination. Neglect your family and relationship issues will grow.
Steve Prokopchak 