Only 99 More Days to PRAY!

Only 99 More Days to PRAY!

About 30 years ago in a discussion with a teacher colleague about an upcoming election, she commented that she was really not interested in politics or candidates and elections. I told her that I had not been very interested either until I realized that our elected officials affect every day of our lives, as well as the lives and futures of our children. She raised her eyebrows, tilted her head, said, “I guess that’s true,” and left my classroom.

I don’t understand the apathy, especially of Christians, when it comes to our political process. We’re so blessed to have a voice in all levels of our government and we must look heavenward for guidance in these matters.

Last Sunday our pastor mentioned that our nation’s presidential election was 99 days away. He then reminded the congregation of our weekly prayer gathering and encouraged people to come out and pray for our church family needs and other concerns. He went on to tell us that this week we’d begin to include focused prayer for our upcoming elections. Our pastoral staff does not promote a specific candidate but, as in all matters, want God’s will. 

We have a pretty small group of Wednesday night faithfuls gather together to intercede for the written prayer requests of those who attend our services. Hopefully even more will come out and ban together as we look to our Creator regarding the leadership of our nation. 

It makes me wonder how many Americans are fervently calling out to God, asking Him to intervene in this upcoming election. I wonder how many people watched the conventions—even that of the opposing party of their preference. I wonder how many people will be watching the upcoming debates, looking at the party platforms, and weighing the policy differences. 

I like to learn about the different candidates—what they stand for, and things they say. I’m no political guru, but I got pretty serious about my politics once I had the revelation described above. 

I know that many of us who trust Christ are justifiably concerned about the state of our nation and the direction in which it is heading. It’s obvious that many citizens of this great land do not hold to the moral code we value.

I’m reminded of a famous quote from a man who was not even a citizen of the United States. Alexis de Tocqueville, a French statesman, historian and social philosopher is said to have traveled to America in the 1830s searching out the reasons for its unusual success as a new nation. He was especially impressed by the religious character of her citizens. 

Here is a passage from his observations: 

“I sought for the key to the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers – and it was not there . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there . . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerce – and it was not there . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution – and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.” -Alexis de Tocqueville

What does it take for a people to be good so their country can be great? 
The Apostle Peter gave very good guidelines on maintaining goodness and morality:
By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision for moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
So dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:3-11).

Christianity is the companion of liberty in all its conflicts -- the cradle of its infancy, and the divine source of its claims.

 Alexis de Tocqueville

If we follow Peter’s guidelines we build up ourselves and build up our church fellowships (the body of Christ). We will in turn strengthen our country.

I’m sure we’re all tired of political rhetoric and in a few weeks our TVs will explode with political hoopla—even more so than now. Though interested in what’s going on, I have to turn it off and reset my psyche and turn my mind toward God and let my spirit rest in the Prince of Peace.

Let’s unite as the body of Christ and commit to praying for our nation and right now, especially for the election. I don’t know what God’s will is in this—but I know I want HIS WILL. <> AND, I want to do my part. Don’t you?

Have you heard about the “National Minute of Prayer”? You might want to check it out and get on board, committing to a one minute daily prayer for our nation.  http://minuteofprayer.blogspot.com/   

For my readers who live in other nations, much of this applies to you as well—though you may not have elections of leaders on your horizon. We all need to pray for leadership at all levels.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Your comments are welcome. I would enjoy learning of other prayer events around the nation—large and small. 

More quotes from Alexis de Tocqueville: http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/cdf/onug/detocq.html

©Connie Wohlford 2016

Why do people want to steer me away from truth?

Why do people want to steer me away from truth?

Again and again, people want to steer me away from God’s truth? Why?!

A few days ago, as I was selling my Christian children’s books at a market, a man suggested I read the works of a 19th philosopher, known for art and literature and who was admired for his spiritually enlightened insights. 

Here I am, selling my books at a market.

The fellow, who made the suggestion, was apparently enamored by the philosopher whose name he put before me. I had never heard the name before, though I had heard of one of his books which had been touted by some subculture followers of the sixties and seventies. No, I won’t say the philosopher’s name because we could insert any number of names—some well-known and some obscure.  

Curious about this man from history, whose works I’ve been missing out on, I looked him up. I learned that he was relatively popular and has been quoted by famous people in speeches and songs in recent decades.

Though raised a Christian, he became influenced by Islam and various mystical religions upon reaching adulthood. This has been a common occurrence throughout history and is much the same these days. I know people who’ve experienced being reared in Christianity, and as young adults striking out to find “a better way.”

After my conversation with the man at the market, I asked myself, “Now, why did he even get into that topic with me? I was innocently trying to sell my books.” 

I then recalled our conversation:

He asked, “How did you get into writing these books?”

Me: “I first wrote the stories for my grandchildren and felt led to get them into print for others to enjoy and learn from. I love to study the Bible and would like to see my grandchildren and others become interested in knowing what the Bible says.”

(There it is! I told him I love to study the Bible, therefore he wanted to help me out by encouraging me in the sphere of philosophy and religion.)

He: “Have you ever read the works of _______ ______?”

Me: “No, I don’t think so.”

He: “Well you should. I think you’d enjoy him. He was a great writer and literary person. Here, I’ll write down his name for you.”

My helpful new acquaintance proceeded to pull out a tablet and write down the name of his apparent hero along with a brief quote for which the hero is known.

I politely took the paper and subsequently checked him out. To tell you the truth I found pretty much what I expected because this kind of thing has happened before. I discovered yet another popular Gnostic-style religious master, similar to individuals the early church contended with in the first century. These false teachers and false prophets come along each and every century and will continue to do so until the blast of the last trumpet.

It’s certainly not the first time I’ve experienced such encounters. Those of us who know that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and that no one comes to the Father but by Him are often confronted by well-meaning, but misguided individuals who want more for us. (Sigh!)

If they only knew! If they only knew Jesus like I know Jesus, they wouldn’t consider a need for something more, or greater—a more esoteric level of truth, or some other gobbledygook! 

In his letters to the first century church and to his protégé, Timothy, Paul warned about false teachers and false prophets seeking to disrupt and lead astray inexperienced church members. Some examples are found in 2 Cor. 11:13-15; 1 John 4:1; 2 Tim. 4:3-4; Col 2:8.

I especially like his warning in Colossians: “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8 NASV).

I am confident that nothing will dissuade me from Jesus, the only Son of the Living God, my own personal Savior. But what about you? What about your children—my own children and grandchildren?

I know my confidence comes from getting to know my God thought Bible reading and study and through a consistent prayer life, as well as being connected to a local church fellowship.

If you are not totally sold-on—sold-out—convinced that Jesus is indeed the way, the truth and the life and that no one comes to the Father except through Him and through Him alone, then I beg you to get into God’s Word seriously! Ask the Holy Spirit to be your Helper and let God’s truths wash over you, your mind and your spirit. Let it teach you and refresh you every day of your life.

Don’t be distracted by worldly philosophies no matter how good they sound and no matter that they even use a portion of scripture to try to draw in God’s elect. We are warned over and over about such threats. Satan is as a wolf in sheep’s clothing and like a lion seeking who he can devour. (Matt. 7:15).

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”   

(Matthew 7:15)

Let’s pray for one another, especially for our little ones and those young in the faith. Christian college students are being led astray by false teachers and prophets who stand behind podiums in their classrooms. One reason this is so rampant is that these young adults don’t know why they believe what they were taught at home and church growing up. Many are actually not born-again even though they attended church with their parents for 18 years. They may have never come into a personal relationship with Jesus nor have developed a strong biblical foundation for themselves. 

They don’t know the Word of God! AND their eternal destiny depends on it!

Do you recognize false teachers when they come your way?

Do well-meaning friends and family members encourage you to check out thus and so philosophy or teacher? Please share about it below, if you’d like.

Are you discerning of the source of well-intentioned quotes and banners you may share on Facebook? When we share a quote or cool photo, to some degree we’re promoting whoever originated it. 

I know many may say that, I’m too narrow in my thinking but “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded ...” (2 Timothy 1:12). 

I hope you are also well grounded. If not, begin today to dig in and get to know Jesus better and build your spiritual house on the firm foundation of God’s Word. 

Your comments are welcome. Thanks for stopping by.

©Connie Wohlford 2016