Author: bakocarl

Dear KMAG: 20210207 Open Topic

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.”

I much prefer posting information about the positive aspects of humility, such as for last week, rather than warnings about pride, but the following is in response to questions and it’s also good to think about how pride manifests itself in our lives.

Pride’s Many Pitfalls

In Wednesday’s “Midweek Musings,” michaelh asked “What are the warning signs that believers need to be watchful for when it comes to pride? What should we look for in our character to alert us to pride in our lives? How should we be watchful for pride in others, particularly our leaders or spiritual counselors?” among other questions. Hopefully the following will partially address at least some of those questions, although not necessarily specifically or directly.

Jonathan Edwards, (1703 – 1758), was the greatest theologian and philosopher of British American Puritanism, major figure in the religious revival known as the ” Great Awakening,” and one of the forerunners of the age of Protestant missionary expansion in the 19th century.

Undetected Spiritual Pride
One Cause of Failure in Times of Great Revival
by Jonathan Edwards

The first and worst cause of errors that abound in our day and age is spiritual pride. This is the main door by which the devil comes into the hearts of those who are zealous for the advancement of Christ. It is the chief inlet of smoke from the bottomless pit to darken the mind and mislead the judgement.

Pride is the main handle by which he has hold of Christian persons and the chief source of all the mischief that he introduces to clog and hinder a work of God. Spiritual pride is the main spring or at least the main support of all other errors. Until this disease is cured, medicines are applied in vain to heal all other diseases.

It is by spiritual pride that the mind defends and justifies itself in other errors and defends itself against light by which it might be corrected and reclaimed. The spiritually proud man thinks he is full of light already and feels that he does not need instruction, so he is ready to ignore the offer of it.

On the other hand, the humble person is like a little child who easily receives instruction. He is cautious in his estimate of himself, sensitive as to how liable he is to go astray. If it is suggested to him that he is going astray, he is most ready to check into the matter.

Nothing sets a Christian so much out of the devil’s reach than humility and so prepares the mind for divine light without darkness. Humility clears the eye to look at things as they truly are. Psalm 25:9 — He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way.

If spiritual pride is healed, other things are easily corrected. Our first care should be to correct the heart and pull the beam of pride out of our eye and then we shall see clearly.

Growing Christians Beware!

Those who are most zealous in the cause of God are the most likely to be targeted as being filled with pride. When any person appears, in any respect, to be noticeably excelling others in his Christian walk, odds are ten to one that it will immediately awaken the jealousy of those about him.

They will suspect (whether they have good reason or not) that he is very proud of his goodness and that he probably thinks no one as good as he is, so that everything he says and does is observed with this prejudice.

Those who are themselves cold and dead, and especially those who have never had any experience of the power of godliness on their own hearts, will easily entertain such thoughts of the best Christians. This arises from nothing less than a secret hostility against essential and fervent holiness.

But the zealous Christian should take heed that this does not prove a snare to him, and the devil take advantage of it to blind his eyes from beholding the true nature of his heart and to think that because he is charged with pride wrongfully and with an unkind spirit, that such charges are not sometimes valid.

Alas, how much pride the best have in their hearts! It is the worst part of the body of sin and death; the first sin that ever entered into the universe and the last that is rooted out. It is God’s most stubborn enemy!

Pride: a Secret Enemy

Pride is much more difficult to be discerned than any other corruption because of its very nature. That is, pride is a person having too high an opinion of himself. Is it any surprise, then, that a person who has too high an opinion of himself is unaware of it? His thinking is that he thinks that the opinion he has of himself has just grounds and therefore is not too high. If the grounds of the opinion of himself crumbled, he would cease to have such an opinion.

But, because of the nature of spiritual pride, it is the most secret of all sins. There is no other matter in which the heart is more deceitful and unsearchable and there is no other sin in the world that men are so confident in. The very nature of it is to work self-confidence and drive away any suspicion of any evil of that kind. There is no sin so much like the devil as this for secrecy and subtlety, and appearing in great many shapes that are undetected and unsuspected.

Spiritual pride takes many forms and shapes, one under another, and encompasses the heart like the layers of an onion: when you pull off one, there is another underneath. Therefore, we have need to have the greatest watch imaginable over our hearts with respect to this matter and to cry most earnestly to the great Searcher of hearts for His help. He that trusts his own heart is a fool.

Since spiritual pride in its own nature is so secret, it cannot be so well discerned by immediate intuition on the thing itself. It is best identified by its fruits and effects, some of which I will make mention of below together with the contrary fruits of Christian humility.

Pride: the Great Fault-finder

Spiritual pride causes one to speak of other persons’ sins, their enmity against God and His people, or with laughter and levity and an air of contempt, while pure Christian humility disposes either to be silent about them or to speak of them with grief or pity.

The spiritually proud person shows it in his finding fault with other saints, that they are low in grace and how cold and dead they are, and are quick to discern and take notice of their deficiencies. The eminently humble Christian has so much to do at home and sees so much evil in his own that he is not apt to be very busy with other hearts.

He complains most of himself and complains most of his own coldness and lowness in grace. He is apt to esteem others as better than himself and is ready to hope that most everybody has more love and thankfulness to God than he, and cannot bear to think that others should bring forth no more fruit to God’s honor than he.

Some who have spiritual pride mixed with great learning and joy, earnestly speaking to others about them, are likely to be calling upon other Christians to emulate them and sharply reprove them for their being so cold and lifeless.

There are others who are overwhelmed with their own vileness, and when they have extraordinary discoveries of God’s glory, they are taken up by their own sinfulness. Though they are disposed to speak much and very earnestly, yet it is very much in blaming themselves and exhorting fellow Christians, but in a loving and humble manner.

Pure Christian humility causes a person to take notice of everything that is good in others, to make the best of it and to diminish their failings; however, he turns his eye chiefly on those things that are bad in himself and to take much notice of everything that aggravates them.

Pride: Ministering in a Harsh Spirit

It has been the manner of spiritually proud persons to speak of almost everything they see in others in the most harsh, severe language. It is frequent with them to say of other’s opinion, conduct, advice, coldness, silence, caution, moderation, prudence, etc. that they are from the devil or from hell.

Such kind of language they will commonly use, not only towards wicked men, but towards those who are true children of God and also towards ministers of the gospel and others who are very much their superiors. Christians who are but fellow-worms ought at least to treat one another with as much humility and gentleness as Christ treats them.

Pride: Putting on Pretenses

Spiritual pride often causes persons to act different in external appearance, to effect a different way of speaking, to use a different sort of dialect from others, or to be different in voice, countenance or behavior. But he that is an eminently humble Christian, though he will be firm in his duty, however different — going the way of heaven alone, though all the world forsake him — yet he does not delight in being different for difference’s sake.

He does not try to set himself up to be viewed and observed as one distinguished, as desiring to be accounted better than others — despising their company or conformity to them — but on the contrary, desires to become all things to all men, to yield to others and conform to them and please them in all but sin.

Pride: Takes Offence Easily

Spiritual pride takes great notice of opposition and injuries that are received and is prone to be often speaking of them and to be much in taking notice of their aggravation, either with an air of bitterness or contempt.

Pure and unmixed Christian humility, on the other hand, causes a person to be more like his blessed Lord when reviled: quiet, not opening his mouth, but committing himself in silence to Him who judges righteously. For the humble Christian, the more the world is against him, the more silent and still he will be, unless it is in his prayer closet, and there he will not be still.

Pride: Presumption Before God and Man

Another effect of spiritual pride is a certain self-confident boldness before God and men. Some, in their great rejoicing before God, have not paid sufficient regard to that rule in Psalm 2:11 — Worship the Lord with reverence, and rejoice with trembling.

They have not rejoiced with a reverential trembling, in a proper sense of the awful majesty of God and the awful distance between Him and them. There has also been an improper boldness before men that has been encouraged and defended by a misapplication of Proverbs 29:25 — The fear of man brings a snare… It is as though it became all persons, high and low, men, women and children in all Christian conversation to wholly abandon all manner of modesty or reverence toward man.

Not that any should refrain from Christian conversation, but with such humility as in 1 Peter 3:15—But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.

Pride: Hungry for Attention

Another effect of spiritual pride is to make the subject of it want attention. People often tend to act in a special manner as though others ought to take great notice and regard of them. It is very natural to a person that is very much under the influence of spiritual pride to take all the respect that is paid to him.

If others show a disposition to submit to him and yield in deference to him, he is open to it and freely receives it. It becomes natural for him to expect such treatment and to take much notice if a person fails to do so, and to have an ill opinion of those who do not give him that which he feels he deserves.

One under the influence of spiritual pride is more apt to instruct others than to inquire for himself and so naturally puts on the airs of control. The eminently humble Christian thinks he needs help from everybody, whereas he that is spiritually proud thinks everybody needs his help. Christian humility, under a sense of other’s misery, entreats and beseeches, but spiritual pride tries to command and warn with authority.

Pride: Neglecting Others

As spiritual pride causes persons to assume much to themselves, so it treats others with neglect. On the contrary, pure Christian humility disposes persons to honor all men as from 1 Peter 2:17. To enter into disputes about Christianity is sometimes unseasonable, such as in meeting for Christian conference or for exercises of worship.

Yet, we ought to be very careful that we do not refuse to converse with carnal men, as though we counted them not worthy to be regarded. On the contrary, we should condescend to carnal men as Christ has condescended to us, to bear with our unteachableness and stupidity.

In God’s Word, pride takes center stage as a character trait to avoid. Here are a few other verses about pride and its effect on people . . . and consequences.

Daniel 5:20 But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

Psalm 10:4 In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

Proverbs 29:23 Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.

Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.

Proverbs 21:4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.

Proverbs 18:12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 16:5 The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

Proverbs 8:13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 13:10 Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

Isaiah 2:12 The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled),

I’ve got to end this on a positive note, so . . .
“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

2-3-2021 Midweek Musings

Humble Patterns

As we follow along with the political contortions that seemingly permeate our entire existence these days, it’s a rare event indeed to encounter a genuinely humble person. I don’t believe that humility is just a nice characteristic to see in someone, but it is an essential characteristic if we want to declare ourselves Christians . . . followers and emulators of Jesus.

Philippians 2:3-4  3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Philippians is one of the warmest and friendliest of Paul’s letters in the Bible. The church in Philippi seems to have been quite healthy and a source of joy for Paul. But it was not perfect. No church is. As we read along in Philippians, we see hints and whispers that Paul knows a few unhappy and unhealthy things about this congregation. There are some cracks in their unity, some struggles with pride.

In Philippians 2, Paul begins to address this. And he lays it on pretty thick. “If you are even remotely Christian,” Paul says, in effect, “then make me even more joyful by embracing humility.”

Many theologians teach that humility is the core Christian virtue, the characteristic that makes us most like Jesus. Humility helps us realize that even though we all have gifts and talents to do many things, that does not make us better than anyone else. Instead, we try to see life as a level playing field on which each person does her or his part. And at the end of the day, we pay more attention to others than to ourselves. Let someone else compliment you for your work while you focus on building up others.

We all need each other. Each of us needs to be thankful for the next person. This is, as Paul explains next (in verses 5-8), the pattern established by Jesus—so this is the pattern to follow.

The Humbled and Exalted Christ

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it something to be held onto to be equal with God, 7 but emptied himself of His privileges, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

*https://todaydevotional.com/devotions/humble-patterns

Some more verses to consider –

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Luke 14:11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Proverbs 3:34 He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.

Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Dear KMAG: 20210131 Open Topic

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.”

Hope, the Anchor of My Soul

Many people are talking and writing about hope these days, mostly in the context of whether or not President Trump has a plan in process that will take back our country from a corrupt, incompetent usurper that has, with the help of foreign countries and, in this country corrupt courts, corrupt political parties, and corrupt financial backers, conducted a fraudulent election.

Whether President Trump is conducting a secret plan or not, however, is not the paramount hope patriotic Americans hold for our country. Our paramount hope is the hope that the control of our country is torn from the hands of these corrupt traitors as soon as possible and that our country, even more so than before, becomes one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all with a government that is truly of the people, by the people and for the people.

All patriotic Americans should be firmly united in this hope.

As Christians, we also have a paramount hope that we who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that [Jesus] has died as a ransom to set [us] free from [our] sin. (Hebrews 9:15) We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. (Hebrews 6:19)

But hope, as defined and used in God’s Word, differs in meaning, and sometimes in usage, from the common use of hope in the English language. In the Christian sense, our hope is a joyful and confident expectation of what is sure (certain), eternal salvation and life eternal in Christ. (Strong’s Concordance and Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

In most instances in the New Testament, the word hope is the Greek elpis/elpizo. Again, there’s no doubt attached to this word. Biblical hope is a confident expectation or assurance based on a sure foundation for which we wait with joy and full confidence. In other words, “There’s no doubt about it!”

One of the verses in which we find the word hope is Hebrews 11:1. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” This verse at the beginning of the faith chapter (Hebrews 11) carries with it all of the confidence that comes with knowing for sure, with no question, what we’ve been promised by God in His Word. Our faith is confident assurance, for it is founded on the Rock of our salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Biblical hope is a reality and not a feeling. Biblical hope carries no doubt. Biblical hope is a sure foundation on which we base our lives, believing that God always keeps His promises.

Hope or confident assurance can be ours when we trust the words, “He who believes on Me has everlasting life” (John 6:47). Accepting that gift of eternal life means our hope is no longer filled with doubt but, rather, has as its sure foundation the whole of God’s Word, the entirety of God’s character, and the finished work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Some exerpts from *https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-hope.html

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
In Him, my righteousness, alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

Edward Mote (1797-1874)

1-27-21 Midweek Musings

With the mish-mash of true reports, false reports, misdirections and outright lies, our attention and focus is being jerked all over the place . . . that is, if we’re trying to keep up with all that’s going on in the universe of political intrigue.

When the world is trying to batter us about in its teapot tempests, I believe it does our mind a very healthy turn if we focus on the One who got us here in the first place. With that in mind . . .

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

Psalm 103 

1 Praise the Lord, my soul!
    All my being, praise his holy name!
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and do not forget how kind he is.
3 He forgives all my sins
    and heals all my diseases.
4 He keeps me from the grave
    and blesses me with love and mercy.
5 He fills my life[b] with good things,
    so that I stay young and strong like an eagle.

6 The Lord judges in favor of the oppressed
    and gives them their rights.
7 He revealed his plans to Moses
    and let the people of Israel see his mighty deeds.
8 The Lord is merciful and loving,
    slow to become angry and full of constant love.
9 He does not keep on rebuking;
    he is not angry forever.
10 He does not punish us as we deserve
    or repay us according to our sins and wrongs.
11 As high as the sky is above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who honor him.
12 As far as the east is from the west,
    so far does he remove our sins from us.
13 As a father is kind to his children,
    so the Lord is kind to those who honor him.
14 He knows what we are made of;
    he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for us, our life is like grass.
We grow and flourish like a wild flower;
16     then the wind blows on it, and it is gone—
    no one sees it again.
17 But for those who honor the Lord, his love lasts forever,
    and his goodness endures for all generations
18 of those who are true to his covenant
    and who faithfully obey his commands.

19 The Lord placed his throne in heaven;
    he is king over all.
20 Praise the Lord, you strong and mighty angels,
    who obey his commands,
    who listen to what he says.
21 Praise the Lord, all you heavenly powers,
    you servants of his, who do his will!
22 Praise the Lord, all his creatures
    in all the places he rules.
Praise the Lord, my soul!

Dear KMAG: 20210124 Open Topic

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!

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1-20-21 Midweek Musings

What will happen tomorrow?
What course will our country be on?
God knows. Lean on Him!

We are staring at the possibility of a Communist administration who has already declared retribution against Trump followers. Should we, as Christians be fearful? No. Some proposed actions by the Leftists are awful to contemplate, but we must always look to God who holds our eternal destiny in His hands.

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” – Matthew 10:28

Our best hope on earth for staving off a corrupt and evil Communist administration and their declared retribution is President Trump. Should we, as Christians put our trust in him? No. Our trust must always be in God, although God may indeed use President Trump as the main means to wrest control from the fraudulent Leftists. And if President Trump is successful, it was only made possible through God’s power . . . and our thanks and praise should go to God first, always.

“Do not trust in princes, in mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.” – Psalm 146:3
“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.” – Psalm 118:9
“Thus says the Lord, “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength,
and whose heart turns away from the Lord.” – Jeremiah 17:5

So, what are we to do?

1. “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” – Matthew 6:34

What happens today stays with today. There is no need to be anxious for the future because God will only bring the troubles one day at a time.

2. “The sufferings of the present are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed in us.” – Romans 8:18

Life is a lot like a roller coaster; there are ups and downs and twists we did not expect, but because of the adventure we have though life, we will live with God for all eternity. The problems are only temporary, they help us grow into who we are and who we will become.

3. “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.” – Isaiah 43:2

If God is putting us though it, He will not lead us alone. His reasoning for putting us though a tough time is because it is to make us stronger, smarter and closer to Him.

4. “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24

Thanks to God, we wake up each morning. We must give him thanks for all that he does. Without him, there would not be this day. Glory be to God.

5. “I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live.” – Ecclesiastes 3:12

God has put us on this earth for a reason and purpose. He wants us to be joyful and be thankful for what we have. He also knows that once we are in the kingdom of Heaven with him, all we will know is happiness.

6. “When I am afraid. I put my trust in you.” – Psalm 56:3

As some people say, “let go and let God,” which is giving your worries and burdens to Him. He will deal with them and keep us safe.

7. “He replied, ‘What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.'” – Luke 18:27

There are so many things on earth that seem impossible for us to comprehend or do, but with God everything and anything is possible. He is all knowing and all powerful, nothing can stop Him.

8. “Jesus answered, ‘You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.'” – John 13:7

Life is so crazy sometimes and it’s hard to understand why things happen. Everything happens for a reason. It may not make sense now or in twenty minutes. One day, He will come full circle and shine light onto His perfect plan that He has just for us.

9. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.” – Proverbs 3:5

He knows us better than we know ourselves. That is because He created us with our own special looks, unique talents and traits. When you give Him your trust, He will give you His guidance.

10. “…for we walk by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7

God knows where we have been and where we are going. It is all in His divine plan. By walking in faith, we are giving all of our doubts about life to Him. In return, He is giving us the support of knowing that He is there with us.

11. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” – John 10:11

God gave His only Son to us, only for Him to die on the cross for our sins. We are God’s sheep, and He is our shepherd. He would do anything and everything for us, and He does.

Dear KMAG: 20210117 Open Topic

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.”

God IS in Control

I believe, as God’s Word tells us, that God is in control of the events that happen in this world.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
The Lord Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.
. . . for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.

The Bible specifically tells us that God establishes the authorities of this world.

For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 
It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings. . .
. . . the Most High has power over human kingdoms. He gives them to whomever he wishes,

Now, we’d like to think that our just and merciful God would put only just and merciful rulers in place, but we know from history that’s not so. Corrupt, wicked, brutal rulers come and go as do just and merciful rulers.

In particular, right now, many of us are wondering what God has in store for us with respect to President Trump’s second term . . . and we start with the options that we can think of . . . but we don’t know, although we may stumble upon an answer that’s close. We just don’t know what God plans for us, as stated in God’s Word:

How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the Lord.
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.

But, we do have assurances that:

. . . all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

But “work together for good” doesn’t mean that God-loving Christians, by the world’s standards, come out on the top of every situation. If you look at the Tanakh, you’ll see that the Children of Israel didn’t come out on top many times, maybe even most of the time. The most serious of these situations were because they left the only God and they took up with false pagan gods. And masses of Christians and Jews have been slaughtered for 2,000 years.

I think the world looks at survival as saving your life, whereas God looks at survival as saving your soul. And therein lies all the difference.

We may suffer less or more throughout our short life on earth, but if we come through that experience with our souls safely in God’s hands, we have an eternity of Peace, Joy and Wonders to look forward to.

Eternity with God will certainly put the events of this next week into a proper perspective.

But until that time . . .

Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid;
For the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.

. . . those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

and attain a mindset . . .

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you . . .

. . . in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ . . . For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Behold, I am coming soon.

To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

And God Bless President Trump and his family.

1-13-21 Midweek Musings

Praise God

Sing praises to God in seasons of storms,
And when skies are clear and days are warm.
Sing praises to Him when the oceans roar,
And when soothing ripples lap the white shore.

Sing praises to God in blizzards of snow,
And when the warm gentle breezes blow.
Sing praises to God in the worst of times,
And when you’re pleased and everything’s fine.

Sing praises to God when you’re crying, sad,
And when you’re smiling and feeling glad.
Sing praises to God when you’re sick in bed,
And when you’re healthy and well fed.

God made man to give glory to Him,
Then gave us His Son to cover our sin.
He gave us His Spirit to change our ways,
Shaping us more like Him every day.

One day in the future, He’ll bring us home,
To be one with Him, never more to roam,
To be filled ever with His joy and peace,
With wonders in Glory that never cease.

Now, don’t you think, in our brief time to live
That we should be grateful, that we should give
Our thanks and our praise to our God above,
Who gave us all this, because of His love?

Our hard times on earth, they go by so fast,
Seventy years, or so, ‘til life has passed.
Hard times may come, then hard times will go,
But an unpayable debt to Him we owe.

We owe it to God, to honor His Name,
Give Him our thanks, and His glory proclaim.
So all through our lives, in good or bad days,
Give God all the glory – give Him all our praise.

To God Be The Glory

1  To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life our redemption to win,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in.

2  Oh, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

3  Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport when Jesus we see.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice;
Oh, come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory; great things He hath done.

Dear KMAG: 20210110 Open Topic

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 , outlined here https://wqth.wordpress.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.

In the following article there are one or two statements (not from God’s Word) that I cannot see are supported by God’s Word . . . or, perhaps, I’m not wise enough to make a solid connection to God’s Word. Nevertheless, this article is a timely presentation for our times.

God Raises Up Kings or Nations
and Removes Them

“Before Him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by Him as worthless and less than nothing. To whom, then, will you compare God? What image will you compare Him to?” (Isaiah 40:17,18 )

Civilizations come and go, and governments rise and fall.  Because our Creator loves people, He also blesses each nation with a span of time so it might prosper and do well, but this blessing ends when a nation becomes degenerate, rebellious, and unfit for self-rule.  When God determines that extended mercy for a nation has no redeeming effect, He marginalizes or destroys that nation.

Many Christians understand that God destroyed the world in Noah’s day because it became evil, but this is only part of the picture!  God drowned all but eight people in Noah’s day to free future generations from the evil conduct that belonged to their parents and grandparents.  The Lord created the Earth and it belongs to Him.  He loves future generations just as much as He loves the present generation.  When it becomes evident to Him that future generations will be ruined by the behaviors passed down by parents and grandparents, He wipes out the present generation. He did this in Noah’s day.  In more recent times, He did this with World Wars I and II.  Surprisingly, a God of love imposed these wars during the first half of the 20th century so the world’s population would grow and flourish 75 more years before needing another world war.  “But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God, the eternal King. When He is angry, the Earth trembles; the nations cannot endure His wrath.” (Jeremiah 10:10) ‘I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.’ ” (Isaiah 45:7)

Many Christians will not accept the premise that a God of love destroys nations when they become decadent and degenerate. (Ezekiel 14:12-21)  Notice what the Lord said to Ezekiel: “ ‘Son of man, if a country sins against me by being unfaithful and I stretch out my hand against it to cut off its food supply and send famine upon it and kill its men and their animals, even if these three men – Noah, Daniel and Job – were in it, they could save only themselves by their righteousness,’ declares the Sovereign Lord. . . . ‘Or if I bring a sword against that country and say, ‘Let the sword pass throughout the land,’ and I kill its men and their animals, as surely as I live,’ declares the Sovereign Lord, ‘even if these three men were in it, they could not save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved.’ ” (Ezekiel 14:13-18)

World War III is Coming!

Sooner than later, the “sword” is going to come again.  World War III will occur.  Tensions are mounting. Nations are preparing for war.  Secret alliances are being made.  Military spending has increased. And now, for the first time since World War II, Japan and South Korea are building missiles for protection.  India is seeking to purchase submarines that can carry missiles.  Iran is developing its military prowess as fast as possible.  Israel is perfecting its use of drones.  China, Russia, and the United States are in an arms race and North Korea is defying the world’s nations.  Like it or not, World War III is coming; and when it does, millions of people will die.

Meanwhile at home, the United States is suffering from paralysis.  The leaders are fighting each other.  They are bogged down with complex domestic problems and cannot get anything done because they cannot agree on a solution.  Partisanship has created a do-nothing legislature.  The U.S. is facing large, complex problems so expensive that no one can offer a good solution.  Many governments in the world are in a similar or worse situation.

According to the Bible, the longevity of a government is determined by its commitment to moral principles God has dictated.  When a majority of people abide by these principles, God blesses that nation with prosperity and longevity.  He sends the Holy Spirit to prompt honest hearted citizens to be good neighbors.  The Holy Spirit helps people make good decisions because good decisions bring good results for individuals, families, and ultimately, the nation.  To ensure continuity for oncoming generations, God also raises up good leaders and the result is a good government that prospers and endures. This is why King David wrote:  “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance.  From Heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place He watches all who live on Earth– He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.  No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.  A horse [a symbol of military might] is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.” (Psalm 33:12-19, insertion mine)

Governments are very complex organizations.  In fact, they are so complicated that men cannot manage a government on their own.  Of course, a man or woman can rise to the position of a king, queen, dictator, or president, but only with God’s approval.  God sets kings up and takes them down according to His higher purposes.  Sometimes God will raise up a king to serve as a destroyer of other nations only to destroy that king and his nation when they pass the point of no return. (Jeremiah 25:9-12)  Because we cannot know or understand God’s higher purposes until He reveals them, we have to trust Him. We have to accept that He is carefully and thoughtfully managing the political processes on Earth to benefit the world.  Daniel told king Nebuchadnezzar,  “He [the Most High God] changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.” (Daniel 2:21,22, insertion mine)

God Does Not Guarantee a Nation Will Be Successful

History indicates that prosperity and longevity is not a guaranteed right for any nation.  A nation will flourish or disappear depending on the behavior of its people and the wisdom of its leaders.  God enables a nation to prosper for as long as the majority of its people are honorable, living right, and making wise choices.  Think of the billions of decisions, the actions and consequences that occur every day within every nation.  If a million immoral decisions are made each day, a million evil consequences will follow, because the law of “cause and effect” cannot be broken.  Whatever we sow, we reap. (Galatians 6:7,8)  This axiom is true for individuals and governments.

For example, when Dictator Mao Zedong implemented “The Great Leap Forward” program in 1958, he did not anticipate that his efforts to transform China from an agricultural economy into a communist society would cause mass starvation within five years.  We now know that His decision resulted in the death of some eighteen to fifty-five million people!  A God of love allowed Mao to make such a decision even though God foreknew the outcome and He allowed Mao to rule over China for twenty five years as dictator.  This is because Mao’s choices fit within God’s plans for the future of China and the world.  This is a hard concept to accept because we cannot see the end from the beginning as God does.  In fact, a time is coming when God will allow the devil himself to rule over the whole world!  (Revelation 13:11-18)

Jesus understood the curse of sin.  He knew that evil things happen to innocent people, and He made it clear that those who cause others harm will be repaid:  “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come.  It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.” (Luke 17:1,2) “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)

Because adults have free will and a sinful nature a nation always has the possibility of rebellion and chaos.  This is why law enforcement is necessary.  To help offset man’s propensity for rebellion, and to help nations grow and improve, God has given adults the ability to recognize and appreciate a need for law and order.  He has also given us a “natural desire” to live in peace with one another and in harmony with the laws of the country.  Paul was aware of this phenomenon when he wrote Romans 13.  As you read his remarks, keep in mind that Paul was a prisoner in Rome when he wrote this:  “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.  Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.  Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.  This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.”  (Romans 13:1-6, italics mine)

When a nation advocates and exalts evil, a patient God removes His blessings from that nation in small steps, hoping that repentance and correction will occur.  If there is no change in behavior, problems soon begin to sprout like dandelions after a spring rain.  The nation’s economy flounders.  Poverty increases.  Sexual misconduct ruins relationships, and families and children are abused by predators.  Political problems escalate until finally, war engulfs that weakened nation.  One of the tell-tale signs of a nation’s imminent downfall is the arrival of poor managers.  When people are put in positions of power that are self-seeking and immoral, we know the end is near because they only make matters worse.  When lies and suspicion replace truth and trust, government is doomed. God is no respecter of persons.  He will destroy nations that He once blessed when they become unfit for His purposes because He owns and rules over the Earth.

God Permits Rebellion Against a Cruel Government

The Bible teaches that man’s first and highest duty is to obey God. (This is why church/state governments are so dangerous.)  When man’s laws run contrary to God’s laws, civil disobedience is warranted.  When Jewish leaders forbade the disciples from speaking about a resurrected Jesus, “Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than men!’ ” (Acts 5:29) Jesus highlighted the concept of “God first” when He repeated the first and greatest commandment.  He said we must love God with all of our heart, mind and soul and the second commandment is that we must love our neighbors as ourselves.  (Matthew 22:37-39)  Given the order presented in these two commandments, Paul’s counsel in Romans 13 could be considered a third commandment, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.”

When a government becomes cruel and oppressive, tyranny occurs and under such circumstances, God permits revolt, civil disobedience, and war.  In fact, the United States came to be a nation through acts of civil disobedience and the revolutionary war.  Then, about seventy-five years later, a civil war broke out between the north and the south and 620,000 people perished. In spite of all the blood that was shed in both wars, consider the results.  A great nation arose, greater than England by far!  A nation having fifty united states where no man is permitted to own another as a slave.

Many people have argued through the centuries (using Paul’s comments in Romans 13:1-6 and a concept called “the divine right of kings”) that revolting against government leaders is forbidden by Scripture.  But Paul included an important qualifier in his remarks.  Paul said, “For he is God’s servant to do you good.”  When a government violates God’s laws and when leaders become dishonest, cruel, and oppressive to maintain their power, they are doing no good.  God warns all government rulers that they will have to give an account for their actions. (Psalm 2:10-12)

Citizens of the U.S. are blessed to live in a country that has the finest constitution ever created, but the nation is falling apart because people have abandoned the moral principles which God requires to receive His blessings.  Corruption is replacing confidence and there is no shortage of liars and predators in politics.  Forty million of 360 million U.S. citizens need assistance to buy food and the median price of a home is beyond the reach of three-fourths of the population.  The number of people in poverty is swelling because the middle class is disappearing.  Wages are stagnant and student loans are proving to be ruinous for millions of young people.  More than ever, fellow Americans do not like or trust each other; and more and more, we carry guns because we are increasingly afraid of each other.  America has fallen so fast!

God Has a Solution to National Degeneracy

There is no human solution to the world’s problems, but there is a divine solution for both.  The downfall of all nations is near!  During the Great Tribulation a stern-faced king will arise; he will take control and utterly ruin everything on Earth ­– a fitting end for a world that insists on evil behavior.

*https://wake-up.org/morality/god-raises-up-kings-or-nations-and-removes-them-larry-w-wilson.html

How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the Lord?

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.

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 God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.

The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself.

Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

. . . for the kingdom of God is . . . righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 

Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.

For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Behold, I am coming soon.

1-6-21 Midweek Musings

Thy Will Shall Be Done

Daniel 4:35 All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and He does according to His will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand or say to Him, “What have You done?”

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Proverbs 16:4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

Nehemiah 9:6 “You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and You preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships You.

Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done . . .

There are many conditional promises in the Bible. God will do this if we do that. God will relent if we repent. God will answer if we pray.

Perhaps the most famous example of this in the Scriptures in 2 Chronicles 7:14, spoken by the Lord to King Solomon after the building of the first temple in Jerusalem.

Starting in v. 13 for context, it reads, “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Now, we cannot make a direct application of this verse to the USA, since America is not chosen in the sense that Israel was chosen, and God does not call our entire nation “My people.”

Yet, since there are tens of millions of His people in America, to the extent we humble ourselves and repent and pray, I believe that God will answer from heaven and mercy on our nation.

How, then, does this apply to the outcome of the elections? And, when all is said and done and the votes are fully counted, can we say, “The will of God has been done”?

I believe the answer is yes, we can say, “God’s will was done,” regardless of the outcome.

I say that because for much of this year, there has been a steady stream of prayer ascending to heaven.

The impeachment hearings drove us to prayer.

The pandemic drove us to prayer.

The protests and riots drove us to prayer.

The elections drove us to prayer.

Even now, as I write, 24/7 prayer vigils are taking place around the world – and I mean prayer vigils for America.

Millions have been crying out for mercy, for God’s intervention, for His will to be carried out in our land.

On September 26 alone, there were two massive gatherings in DC, Franklin Graham’s Prayer March and The Return.

Another large gathering took place on October 25, also in DC, focused on worship and prayer, including a special prayer meeting outside the Supreme Court.

Pastors and leaders who never prayed together have been gathering for regular online prayer meetings focused on repentance and abasement and seeking of mercy.

Churches that have gathered together despite the pandemic have devoted time in their meetings for prayer.

Another major event in DC culminated immediately before I started to write this article, with seasoned participants saying that they never seen such a prayer emphasis in their lives.

That’s why I truly believe that whatever the outcome of the elections we will be able to say, “The will of God was done.”

I know that there are some who believe that, when it comes to the leader of a nation, the will of God is always done. In other words, they believe that God sets up one leader and brings down another. And, despite the fact that we get to vote for our presidents here, they still say, “The president is the one whom God appointed to be president.”

But when Trump was elected in 2016, against all odds and with so many prophetic words saying it would happen, I wrote an article titled, “Donald Trump, President of the United States by the Sovereign Intervention of God.”

It seemed to be a clear example of God’s sovereign hand. Outside of His working, I could not see this happening.

This doesn’t mean that there was only one divine purpose involved. As David G. noted on Twitter, in his view, the Lord’s raising up Trump has been “a mercy, a judgment, and a test.”

I concur with this, recognizing multiple divine purposes in the Trump presidency.

When it comes to the outcome of the 2020 elections, with the amount of prayer and fasting that has taken place, whoever the winner is, I will be convinced that God’s will was done.

That being said, it’s possible that His answer will be the opposite of what we wanted in the short term, only to lead to greater good in the long term.

To be sure, it is possible that He will answer with great mercy, giving us time to mend our ways while our liberties remain protected.

But it’s also possible that He will answer with judgment, something to humble us and drive us to an even deeper place of contrition. Have we really gotten to the place called for in Joel 2, where we rend our hearts, where we weep and wail, where we grieve deeply over our corporate and personal sins? Could it be that, with an outcome that is to our liking, we will return to our complacent state?

Only God knows the answers to these questions. But I truly believe that He has heard our prayers for intervention and that His purposes will come to pass.

Should Trump be reelected, I will focus my energy on calling for ongoing prayer, repentance, and obedience, leading to revival in the church and awakening in the nation.

Should Biden be elected, I will focus my energy on calling for ongoing prayer, repentance, and obedience, leading to revival in the church and awakening in the nation.

Either way, I will not point to a biased media or to voter fraud or to low (evangelical?) voter turnout as the decider of the elections.

I will point to the one who sits enthroned in heaven. He is the King, after all.

*https://askdrbrown.org/library/i-believe-will-god-will-be-done