HIS Government

Isaiah 9:6-7 - For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end...

I know, sounds like something that could be written around Christmas. So thankful God's Word is useful any day at any time. 

So, God is fully aware of all the sin in this world (way too much to list here). Above He has shown us that "the government will be upon His shoulder and of the increase of His government in peace there will be no end..." (Isaiah 9) 

It's not about the world's idea of how government should operate. We do need order and boundaries. Our country started with using the Bible to form that sort of government. Too often in just about anything, man wants to muck things up by exerting his own idea how something should run. God's ways are not like ours. They're better.

I will say this repeatedly: It's all about Him. When we understand this we will understand about His peace. 

All God wants is for us to believe and trust in Him, to turn to Him, not man. HE brings perfect peace through HIS government. HE is to be the head. He is to be Supreme over even our government. We worship Him, not our country, not a flag or pledges. We worship Him. Then all else, for that person, falls into place. 

Sure we have to live in this world till He returns, but knowing there's hope despite all we encounter is well worth it. I am sure of my eternal resting place. Praise God alone for that. 

The Word says...despite all the sin, He still...is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2Peter 3:9)  There is

We cannot live without God. We just can't. Without Me they shall bow down among the prisoners, and they shall fall among the slain. (Isaiah 10:4a) But He continues to call hoping another one will turn to Him or back to Him. This is His love at work for anyone. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still. (Isaiah 10:4b)

It's not too late to turn to Him. He suggests we do it before it becomes too late. (When's too late? When we die suddenly or He returns suddenly, in a flash and the twinkling of an eye.)

So it is suggested:

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the LORD... (Acts 3:19)

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Romans 1:18-19 - The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

Okay, another hard word. Another word of truth. One year ago would you have believed:

• The Fed would monetize our debt after telling us they wouldn't
• Europe would be on the brink of disaster and there would be riots in the streets
• Getting on to an airplane would require getting felt up by invasive pat downs or sent through scanners taking pictures of your naked body while being told those pictures would not get on the internet
• A Russian company that would sell uranium to Iran would also be given control of 50% of US uranium output in Wyoming
• The current administration would bypass congress in order to pass new broadcast rules that make net neutrality, a regulation they are going around congress and courts to get, look like child's play
• Federal law enforcement agencies are putting GPS units under people's cars without a warrant
• American credit card transactions are being tracked in real time without a warrant

These are just a few things Glenn Beck mentioned on one of his programs. He shared a headline from the New York Times from early December: Mounting Debts by States Stoke Fears of Crisis. He's not making this up. Are we aware of these things? Are we concerned? Is this type of information being brought out in the open on mainstream media? Do we have our heads buried in sand? Or do we think this will just all blow over?

Do we believe such things can happen to us? We are, after all, America. This reminds me of the scripture regarding the last days when we as a country will experience pains similar to birth. Can we even imagine what our country will look like in another year if all this has happened on one year? Will we recognize it? 

Little by little things are eroding. There are some who only want to be told what to think and what to do. Thankfully some are speaking out against what we see happening and, of course, that's bringing opposition and a lot of criticism for those who see a country that once stood for freedom and democracy suddenly heading to socialism. Do we really want the government to control us? When will we say "enough?"

God is allowing us to do as we wish. He is a God who has told us long ago that He would leave us to our own desires if we choose to replace Him as our center with the ideas and plans of a society bent on becoming successful in their own way. Romans 1:28-31 - since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

Is our government (both party lines) really being honest? Are they looking to the Constitution which was based on a Divine Creator? Or have they given in to the depraved minds mentioned above? Oh, not all are evil or God-haters. There are a few who only want what God would want for us. But this seems to be a dying breed...in government and this society. God just is not important anymore...and He showed us this would occur.

On the other hand and in a more positive light, Beck has revealed on his program groups of people whose hearts are set on doing the good and right things, like those in Wilmington, Ohio. I would suppose to the those who oppose Beck, the exposure of these people may seem sappy.                                                                ...suppose...those...oppose...expose???

The tides have turned. Maybe we've seen our best days. What lies ahead? A friend and I were discussing how we sure would like to see the Lord return quickly. But I think we still have some things to accomplish here on earth. And the Lord will tarry as long as necessary to receive more people into the Kingdom. Our work...His work...is not yet done. These things we see if we have our eyes open may be the envelope that is pushed to change the world, not just our country, because if our country fails, I believe the world fails. Where do we look for the peace we all desire? Jesus is that peace. 

I don't want to see this happening. I don't want to be experiencing difficult times. But it might be the only way others will see that our peace and our hope comes from a Source other than what lies right before us, the things we can hold on to or see in this world, the things the Bible says will rust and which things moths can eat. Just what will it take to realize this and what will we need to let go of? Will we be able to or will we cling to our stuff? We've been blessed as it were, but have we done the right things with our blessing or did we hang on to it for our own profit? 

Everything we have has been given to us by God. He has created us. He has given us wisdom. He has given us the opportunity to know what He requires. He also knows what we truly are doing with what He has allowed us to have and be good stewards of. Do we feel we are privileged to "have?" There's a fine line. 

We should not rely entirely on our government. If we do we will crash and burn. Like I wrote before, there will be, and probably is, a sifting going on in the world. If we cling to the good things of God we will be secure. If we do not, what was sifted out will be blown away in the wind. Do we want to feel so secure in our riches? What makes us think it couldn't be taken away at any minute by our government?

We who are believers need to be here to share where our hope lies. We need to share the fact that it's not about our stuff but about Who supplies our everyday needs. I still have visions of Black Friday and the materialism. As Beck described on one of his programs, the mortar that holds our lives together is materialism. What would we do without it? Who would we turn to? 

Lord God, let Your glory shine in the lives and hearts of simple men who believe in You. Let the name of the Lord be praised. Let Your Spirit pour out on all the people of this world that they might know You and where exactly their hope can come from if they just pay attention. Make blind eyes to see, deaf ears to hear, hearts to soften and minds to change. Let the truth be known.

Just as Glenn Beck tells us to take a stand and make a choice in this country, we need to do the same with God. It's even a more important stand and choice to make. There is such a parallel because God either is, or is not, involved in every aspect of our lives, depending on which choice we make.

I read the editor's review of Glenn Beck's book, Broke: In the words of Harvard historian Niall Ferguson, the United States is “an empire on the edge of chaos.” Why? Glenn Beck thinks the answer is pretty simple: Because we’ve turned our backs on the Constitution. Yes, our country is financially broke, but that’s just a side effect of our broken spirit, our broken faith in government, the broken promises by our leaders, and a broken political system that has centralized power at the expense of individual rights.

I was struck by the use of the words turned our backs, spirit, faith, promises...words that parallel the Bible's words. This country's Constitution was founded on godly principles. Belief and trust in God were their foundation. They acknowledged their need for Him. They thanked Him for a chance to live in a land free from the slavery of the English rule. But our government has turned its back. He has been cast aside for personal control, power and corruption. It's important to realize we can't rely on anyone else or ourselves and we must return to the One who raises our spirits, who is our faith and who does not break His promises. God tells us as individuals: seek Me, let Me free you from bondage in this world. Trust in Me. If you do I will provide your every need. But if you turn your backs on me, I will leave you to your own devices and you will flounder and fail.

If we are in Christ and trust in Him, are in relationship with Him, our future, no matter what it holds in store, is secure. There is no greater security than that which we get from a God who wants nothing more than relationship with Him, trusting in Him and not the world. It's the same message--always. Without an Almighty influence in our lives we are nothing. If only the government would go back to its own roots.

This should be the most positive, peaceful thought and the best solution we could consider: Jesus is the way, truth and LIFE. Not our government, not any man. But it's a choice we each have to make on our own. We must make the wise choice. The solution is spiritual not political. 

When you know the truth it will set you free. Again the truth, the answer to all our problems and needs lies in the Man, Jesus Christ. Seek for yourself. He tells us that if we seek Him He will make Himself known. But you must seek with all your heart. It is the only truth worth looking for. As Beck stated: God is not on our side. It is our choice to make to be on His side. It is up to us to choose God...Jesus. 

Jeremiah 29:13-14 - And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity... 

Do We Really Need the Government?

Acts 20:35 - I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive.'' 

I watched the Glen Beck the other night. My blog the other day was called Do You Believe in Miracles? That could have been what this program could have been called if it had not been called a Glenn Beck Christmas special!

Beck was in the small town of Wilmington, Ohio. Their major business concern three years ago was DHL, an international delivery company whose national hub was in Wilmington. The company shut down their domestic delivery service and pulled out of town bringing hardship to this community of 11,000 people. Why?...8,000 lost their jobs! But the people of Wilmington were not about to give up hope. The town experienced miracles. They pulled up their bootstraps and did some amazing things, enough to cause Beck to take notice. They chose not to ask for government assistance. Instead, the town rallied together and helped each other out. Now that makes a person smile and gives that warm and fuzzy feeling.

There was a woman who took it upon herself to start a prayer ministry. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week this town of many people from the 32 churches gather where  chalkboards are displayed with various prayer requests. It could very well be the town's success has come from this ministry, from the dedicated people who have humbled themselves before God and made these requests known to Him. Although there's a part of this country that is not seen God's blessings, this town is. Glory goes to God and God alone. Who needs the government when God is in control!?

Think what could happen if more people in more towns would shake the victim mentality of just wanting government to take care of them and begin to seriously consider helping each other out or applying themselves. The Bible tells us For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat (2Thessalonians 3:10). God worked...He created this world and everything in it...and when He was done He proclaimed it was good. Shouldn't that be example enough? 

Glenn talked to several people he'd come across after speaking with some of them. Some were from town, some came to Wilmington to be part of this celebration. Story after incredible story were shared of how people have begun to listen to Beck, have heeded not only his warnings but his suggestions, have even begun to seek God, and have seen wonderful changes in their lives.

A woman saw a hotel for sale. It had been for sale for a long time. She inquired about it but wasn't so sure she and her husband could afford it. It would take a lot to fix it up. But she met with the seller and he trusted she could do what needed to be done and they shook hands on an agreement. The hotel is up and running today.

One man and his family lost their business in a fire. They never felt so alone. Through his church he was introduced to a man in Wilmington who had a building he could relocate to and rebuild his business...on nothing more than a handshake...because the same thing had happened to him twenty years prior and he knew what this man was going through.

In the two cases I mentioned it was not just a handout. They were miracles. Miracles of a human nature done out of selflessness of heart. They were examples of people choosing to do something to help someone get a new start. They were able to move forward...on a handshake. People helping people. Not people whining about government assistance. 

There's a lot to be said for giving out of the very pure motives of one's heart. This is what Jesus would want us to do. 

This is a season of giving. It is more blessed to give than to receive, Jesus has told us.. Can we ever get a full understanding of this? Can we shake off the life we've become used to if this is not our nature? Can we step out of our comfort zone and get off the couch and away from the television and do something for someone else? Can we give without expecting anything in return but perhaps a warm, fuzzy feeling knowing we have given something to someone who needs it?

Another man runs the local food pantry. He prays over all the shelves and trusts God for the results. He has enough food to last six months. We need more of this. We need to begin to believe that God can do what He tells us...that He is our provider. He used people, but it was He who urged them to give. 

Beck explained how his good Jewish friend, Rabbi Daniel Lapin, broke down the meaning of the Hebrew word for love. The Hebrew language is so filled with meaning. Within the four Jewish symbols of the word are the center two. The center...the center...and they mean to give. Isn't that what love is supposed to be? You give, not take. To give of ourselves, not to ourselves. I sometimes feel I have failed in this area. Maybe it's because I did not receive as a child. So what about this thing I've been saying about my relationship with Jesus? Shouldn't that have healed that part of me? Perhaps it's in the works. I know there's a stirring going on...

Wilmington is an excellent example of what this country needs to be. This is what we used to be as a nation. Always giving. Now we are a country in debt. We need a country of people like those of Wilmington. I have heard, and Glenn says the same thing, there is going to be a spiritual awakening in this country. It's just a matter of time. The things that Wilmington can represent I think can be just the beginning of that revival. One town, then two and little by little a movement that cannot be mistaken or overlooked.

As we enter into the Christmas season where love--and giving--is to predominate, let us keep this all in mind. Let us give....not necessarily stuff, but let's give of ourselves. Let us push aside our own wants and needs and reach out to others. Let us go beyond what we have always done and let us communicate our love in our actions. Let us step beyond what we would consider "our job." 

Our families may not be needy and we don't have to give physical gifts, but we can give of ourselves... Remember what Jesus did for us. He gave His life. Can we not give just a moment of our life, putting aside our own desires for just a moment of time in our lives, for the family? Can we not turn off the television for a time and listen to each other and join in the conversations? I guarantee we will be blessed if we do that. Let's shake the crabbiness and desire to control and just let things fall where they may. Let us not shush the children or grouse at a spouse!

A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. [So] do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship (Proverbs 22:9, Hebrews 13:16, Romans 12:1).