This Sanctuary Sunday Open Thread, with full respect to those who worship God on the Sabbath, is a place to reaffirm our worship of our Creator, our Father, our King Eternal.
It is also a place to read, post and discuss news that is worth knowing and sharing. Please post links to any news stories that you use as sources or quote from.
In the QTree, we’re a friendly and civil lot. We encourage free speech and the open exchange and civil discussion of different ideas. Topics aren’t constrained, and sound logic is highly encouraged, all built on a solid foundation of truth and established facts.
We have a policy of mutual respect, shown by civility. Civility encourages discussions, promotes objectivity and rational thought in discourse, and camaraderie in the participants – characteristics we strive toward in our Q Tree community.
Please show respect and consideration for our fellow QTreepers. Before hitting the “post” button, please proofread your post and make sure you’re addressing the issue only, and not trying to confront the poster. Keep to the topic – avoid “you” and “your”. Here in The Q Tree, personal attacks, name calling, ridicule, insults, baiting and other conduct for which a penalty flag would be thrown are VERBOTEN.
In The Q Tree, we’re compatriots, sitting around the campfire, roasting hot dogs, making s’mores and discussing, agreeing, and disagreeing about whatever interests us. This board will remain a home for those who seek respectful conversations.
Please also consider the Guidelines for posting and discussion printed here: https://www.theqtree.com/2019/01/01/dear-maga-open-topic-20190101/
Let’s not give the Internet Censors a reason to shut down this intellectual haven that Wolf has created for us.
The Storm is upon us.
Please remember to Pray for our President.
And,
On this day and every day –
God is in Control
. . . and His Grace is Sufficient, so . . .
Keep Looking Up
Hopefully, every Sunday, we can find something here that will build us up a little . . . give us a smile . . . and add some joy or peace, very much needed in all our lives.
“This day is holy to the Lord your God;
do not mourn nor weep.” . . .
“Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet,
and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared;
for this day is holy to our Lord.
Do not sorrow,
for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Wait on the LORD
We are currently at a monumental crossroad in the history of our country. We have a corrupt and incompetent usurper for a leader who is hell-bent (literally) to produce national policy that will ruin our country.
Some look to President Trump’s promises to wrest the fraudulent leadership from this usurper and reestablish us on the road to American self-sufficiency, economic stability, military leadership, peace, liberty, justice and American unity.
Others believe that it is up to patriots to respond to this fraudulent election and the oppressive proclamations from its figurehead.
We know that God places rulers in their positions for His reasons, which are not clearly known or fully appreciated by us. And we stand now, under God, waiting, hoping and praying for God’s hand to restore us.
This is a very stressful period and many of us are wondering how to best get through it.
Fortunately, God’s Word directly addresses situations where we are waiting for God.
We know that God establishes authorities on earth, good and merciful, and bad and oppressive.
“For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” – Romans 13:1b
“He [God] removes kings and establishes kings;” – Daniel 2:21
We see what God does, but none of us, no matter how wise we claim to be, really understands it.
“I saw everything God does, and I realized that no one can understand what happens. We may be very wise, but no matter how much we try or how much we claim to know, we cannot understand it all.” – Ecclesiastes 8:17
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9
When we think things are going bad for us, God doesn’t want us bickering and complaining about it.
“Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; for the Lord heard it, and His anger was aroused.” – Num 11:1
God wants us to always recognize that He is the Supreme Authority in the universe and that His plan will succeed and His will be done regardless of the opposing efforts of mankind.
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” – Proverbs 19:21
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” – Proverbs 16:9
“. . . for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it – lest you even be found to fight against God.” – Acts 5:38-39
What God wants is for us to fully recognize that He is in authority over all the world, that He is responsible for causing situations that we may not understand or appreciate, and that we should go to Him for relief in those situations.
Does this mean that God wants us to just sit passively and wait for Him to act?
No. God normally acts through men to accomplish His will on earth. God’s Word has many, many examples of people and rulers in tough situations that pray to God for relief . . . and many examples of God providing that relief, mainly through mankind.
“Therefore the LORD wants to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him” – Isaiah 30:18.
“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” – Lamentations 3:25-26.
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” – Psalm 27:14
God takes the issue of mankind recognizing Him as the supreme authority and deserving of the credit for the events on earth very seriously, as King Herod, to his dismay, found out.
“So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.” – Acts 12:21-23
So what is it exactly that God wants us to do when confronted with oppression?
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices.” – Psalm 37.7
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
So, just when will God act to right this wrong that has been thrust upon us?
He will address the situation at a time that He sees fit, according to His plan.
“With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you” – 2 Peter 3:8-9.
We don’t know if God is going to act in a day, a week, a year or 10 years. We can hope and pray, however, that He will act quickly. Today, it may seem that God is not hearing our prayers, or that our problems will not be solved. But we should never give up or be discouraged. Rather, we should be bold and courageous . . . with faith, and, as much as is granted by God, peace and joy in His Spirit..
We will continue to commit our needs to Him, trust Him, and keep seeking Him. We will believe that His promises are true and that our prayers will be answered. As we wait on Him, He will strengthen us and provide for our needs . . . and we will give all the glory to God.
Romans 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:28-30
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Romans 8:38-39
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Psalm 27
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Who shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked came against me
To devour my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.
4 One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the delightfulness of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.
5 For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up in honor above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joyous shouts in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice!
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
9 Do not hide Your face from me;
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not leave me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the Lord will take care of me.
11 Teach me Your way, O Lord,
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
14 Wait in faith on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!
