An editorial in Christianity Today (March '08 issue) carries the title, "Hating Hillary." It thoughtfully raises the issue of how Believers should engage in political discourse. After reading it, I asked myself, "Do we leave our Christian convictions behind when we discuss political matters?" Many of us do apparently. I have received many slanderous emails in recent months that repeat outright lies. These diatribes are silent about the policies of the candidates, but make outrageous assertions about them personally. You've probably seen them, too. "Obama is a radical Muslim." He's not. "Hillary is a lesbian." She's not. "Huckabee will be Pastor-in-chief." No, if elected, he will be the President. I have yet to get any hateful attack emails about McCain's personality.
Some Believers have adopted the mannerisms and words of the flame-throwing radio personalities who appear to care less about the truth than they do about inventing clever phrases and building audience loyalties. Hillary Clinton is a favorite target. According to CT, one representative of the Family Research Council (a Christian organization) distributed fortune cookies that contained the message - "#1 reason to ban human cloning - Hillary Clinton." It may be cute, but it is offensive and, more to the point, it adds nothing to our understanding of her policies. Of course it goes the other way, too. Left-learning Christian groups go far beyond attacking President Bush's policies to deriding him personally with names like "Village Idiot."
This kind of personalized politics is nothing new! Campaigns of the past were just as ugly, at times, even more so! That is one reason that Christians of a century ago, stepped aside from politics, considering it simply 'too dirty' for their involvement. That changed about 35 years ago, but tragically, often Christians fall into the mud-slinging ways instead of being a positive influence on the political scene. This ought not be true. We can be involved; yes, we must be involved in the process since we are citizens of both the Kingdom of God and the nations where we live! However, we must bring our Christianity to the process, not let it be trampled or ignored.
"While the loudest political voices this election season will keep only a loose rein on their tongues, evangelicals (Believers) do well to ponder the Bible's insights into the mysterious, yet profound, connection between a person's mouth and heart. 'The things that come out of the mouth,' says Jesus, 'come from the heart.' Which is why Paul says, 'now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.' (Colossians 3:8, NIV) . . . What's more, vitriolic language directed at political figures does not, to use the metaphor of Paul, attract others with 'the aroma of Christ.' It just creates a stench, making it more difficult to nurture relationships with those who want to meet Christ and who happen to support (a candidate you do not support.) Such talk easily slides into denigrating those on the other side of the political spectrum -- who may just be on the other side of the aisle on Sunday morning." -Christianity Today (March '08 issue)
A candidate's policies are fair game for our dissections and discussions. Believers should be knowledgeable about what a candidate proposes and what kinds of programs he wants to implement. We should take care, however, not to be swept up in hysteria. We must not allow ourselves to be taken in by fast-talking media pundits, or even by Christian leaders who allow their personal preferences about personalities of the candidates to color their political rhetoric. We are to 'speak the truth, in love,' to borrow a Biblical phrase. We do not elect a person for his or her likeability alone, or because he or she is telegenic, or even because he 'goes to a church' like the one we attend.
We are to give our vote and support to candidates who understand the basic worldview of a Christian - that God, not man, is the One to whom all are accountable, that human life is sacred from conception to old age,that seeking peace is preferred always to making war, and that justice and dignity for all is what being created in the image of God means.
When we set aside the personal attacks on political candidates, remembering that they are not just a collection of ideas, but that they are real people, too; we earn credibility for our voices. We are then able to speak effectively, be taken seriously, and raise the level of discourse out of the gutter. In this, we not only serve our nation well; we glorify the Lord who is our Eternal King. Amen.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Abuse of Power
The video showed a middle-aged woman in police custody. She was accused of driving while intoxicated and was resisting the officer's directions, but she was not threatening him. Apparently he lost patience with her. We see his hand reach up to turn off the video camera. Moments later, when he switches it back on, the woman is lying on the floor in a large pool of blood. That officer lost his job for 'abuse of power.' When we think of abusing power, most of us probably think about dictators who get rich while oppressing a poor nation, or a rogue cop, or a cruel parent. But, think again! It can happen in any situation that one person has control of another person.
Power is a dangerous thing. Because of the sinful nature that you and I inherited from Adam, power is corrosive to character. In too many situations to enumerate, we see how quickly influence is turned to serve ego and to enrich the privileged at the expense of those over whom they wield influence. Lord Acton, a British historian of a century ago observed :
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts absolutely!"
God is deeply concerned with the abuse of power and His Word is clear about the immorality of using the trust of leadership and/or influence for selfish gain! Amos, the shepherd from Tekoa, thundered against ancient Israel for her sins. Primary among them? Abuse of Power! He roared: "The Lord said: I will punish Israel for countless crimes, and I won't change my mind. They sell honest people for money, and the needy are sold for theprice of sandals. They smear the poor in the dirt and push aside those who are helpless. .... They lie down beside altars on clothes taken as security for loans. And they drink wine in my temple, wine bought with the money they received from fines." (Amos 2:6-8, CEV)
Ah, friend, as I read those lines they make me want to weep. This is the description of our time! The 'have's' of our nation are too often forgetful of the responsibilities that come with their privileges. Those in power, though perhaps not on the 'take' as we might think of corruption - are often read to use their position to enrich the rich and to give favor to those who can return favor. The poor and the powerless are forgotten, or thought to be simply the victims of their own stupidity and deserving of their fate!
Pride says, "I climbed to the top of the heap, so let me enjoy the benefits that come with this position." As Amos continues in his sermon, he reminds the corrupt leaders of Israel that they had once been slaves, people without a country or power. They were not rich and powerful because they were smarter or deserving. They had experienced the grace of God! "And yes, I'm the One who delivered you from Egypt, led you safely through the wilderness for forty years And then handed you the country of the Amorites like a piece of cake on a platter." (Amos 2:10, The Message)
God says, "You are who you are because of My grace! You have an obligation to use your blessings to serve those who are without power, without privilege, the weak, the poor."
A couple of years ago the news media reported that Bill Gates, the richest man in the world, would be stepping down as head of Microsoft, the company he founded in his garage 30 or so years ago. What was he going to do? Build a villa in the Caribbean and take life easy? No. Find another venture to increase his store of wealth? No, again. Gates plans devote his life to his foundation, to finding ways to improve the lives of the poorest people in Africa! His plan is to give away his $billions over the next two decades!
What a beautiful thing it is to see that kind of compassionate care. When a powerful person remains filled with humility, he blesses his world by using his position to ennoble others.
Jesus, Himself, left the pinnacle of power as the Second Person of the God-head, to become a Man. "He took the nature of a servant... He humbled Himself." (Phil. 2)
Are you a 'giver' or a 'taker?'
In positions of influence and/or power, is your aim to attract praise and benefits or to bless others in the Name of Jesus Christ?
Here's what Jesus said about it. Meditate on His words.
"God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth." (Matthew 5:3-5, NLT)
Power is a dangerous thing. Because of the sinful nature that you and I inherited from Adam, power is corrosive to character. In too many situations to enumerate, we see how quickly influence is turned to serve ego and to enrich the privileged at the expense of those over whom they wield influence. Lord Acton, a British historian of a century ago observed :
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts absolutely!"
God is deeply concerned with the abuse of power and His Word is clear about the immorality of using the trust of leadership and/or influence for selfish gain! Amos, the shepherd from Tekoa, thundered against ancient Israel for her sins. Primary among them? Abuse of Power! He roared: "The Lord said: I will punish Israel for countless crimes, and I won't change my mind. They sell honest people for money, and the needy are sold for theprice of sandals. They smear the poor in the dirt and push aside those who are helpless. .... They lie down beside altars on clothes taken as security for loans. And they drink wine in my temple, wine bought with the money they received from fines." (Amos 2:6-8, CEV)
Ah, friend, as I read those lines they make me want to weep. This is the description of our time! The 'have's' of our nation are too often forgetful of the responsibilities that come with their privileges. Those in power, though perhaps not on the 'take' as we might think of corruption - are often read to use their position to enrich the rich and to give favor to those who can return favor. The poor and the powerless are forgotten, or thought to be simply the victims of their own stupidity and deserving of their fate!
Pride says, "I climbed to the top of the heap, so let me enjoy the benefits that come with this position." As Amos continues in his sermon, he reminds the corrupt leaders of Israel that they had once been slaves, people without a country or power. They were not rich and powerful because they were smarter or deserving. They had experienced the grace of God! "And yes, I'm the One who delivered you from Egypt, led you safely through the wilderness for forty years And then handed you the country of the Amorites like a piece of cake on a platter." (Amos 2:10, The Message)
God says, "You are who you are because of My grace! You have an obligation to use your blessings to serve those who are without power, without privilege, the weak, the poor."
A couple of years ago the news media reported that Bill Gates, the richest man in the world, would be stepping down as head of Microsoft, the company he founded in his garage 30 or so years ago. What was he going to do? Build a villa in the Caribbean and take life easy? No. Find another venture to increase his store of wealth? No, again. Gates plans devote his life to his foundation, to finding ways to improve the lives of the poorest people in Africa! His plan is to give away his $billions over the next two decades!
What a beautiful thing it is to see that kind of compassionate care. When a powerful person remains filled with humility, he blesses his world by using his position to ennoble others.
Jesus, Himself, left the pinnacle of power as the Second Person of the God-head, to become a Man. "He took the nature of a servant... He humbled Himself." (Phil. 2)
Are you a 'giver' or a 'taker?'
In positions of influence and/or power, is your aim to attract praise and benefits or to bless others in the Name of Jesus Christ?
Here's what Jesus said about it. Meditate on His words.
"God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth." (Matthew 5:3-5, NLT)
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
The Good Pain
Gabby Gingras, age 7, is incapable of feeling any pain. She runs headlong into a table, bounces off, falls down, and gets up to run off without even a whimper. A blessing, right? Think again. When she was teething, Gabby gnawed on her own fingers, mutilating them until her parents had all of her teeth pulled out to prevent her from further harm to herself. She wears goggles all the time, since she damaged her cornea so badly with her own fingernails that she is now blind in one eye! The little girl has a bizarre disorder in which the pain sensors in her body never developed.
Pain serves a very useful purpose. It keeps us from unintentionally damaging our bodies!
Many in the generation of Americans who are now reaching adulthood are incapable of dealing with life's challenges. They can't hold a job, meet deadlines, or finish a task without direct supervision. Their parents intently worked to spare them difficulties all through their childhood. They hovered over-protectively and rode to the rescue of their child at the slightest sign of his discomfort. If the child protested, rules were changed. Teachers were forced to coddle these little darlings; moving paper due dates, giving re-tests, and generally lowering any standards perceived to cause their students feel 'stress.' It was all in the name of love, a misguided love that has developmentally handicapped millions of kids. These kids are perpetual toddlers, having never dealt with appropriate adversity that helps us to come to emotional maturity, to learn how to get along with difficult people, to push through unpleasant circumstances towards a desired goal.
I know that suffering is awful! I see it up close almost weekly in my ministry. I've known disappointment, sorrow, and pain in my own life. Some suffering is so horrific, caused by such terrible evil, that with my admittedly limited perspective, I can find no good purpose for it. Far be it from me to minimize anyone's situation with platitudes.
However, would you allow that there is a kind of adversity that is good for us? James tells us to "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." (James 1:2-4, The Message) Paul tells us that he went through such awful and painful circumstances, he concluded that death was imminent. Later on, he said, "As a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead." (2 Corinthians 1:9, NLT)
Jacob was a deceiving, manipulative person! He cheated his foolish brother out of his birthright with a bowl of soup. He tricked his own aging, blind father into giving him the family blessing by pretending to be his brother. He defrauded his father-in-law in pursuit of greater wealth. Despite the promise of God's blessing, he tried to live life on his own terms. But, in a moment of fear, at a time when he was attempting to go back to his father's country and thought his brother Esau would seek vengeance; Jacob met God! All night he wrestled with the Lord and just before daybreak, the Lord threw his hip out of joint and left him with a limp, a physical reminder of the encounter. In addition, he gave him a new name, Israel, which means "he struggles with God." He was a changed man and limped the rest of his life.
Who wants to limp? Not me, unless it serves as a reminder of a time when God came down and reordered my priorities. Then, perhaps a limp would help to keep me from becoming the same old miserable man again. Every time I felt the catch in my step, it would be a merciful blessing. Paul struggled with some unspecified physical malady. Many preachers guess at it, but that's all we can do. He never tells us what it was, but he was clear why he suffered. Take a close look. "I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me."
(2 Corinthians 12:7-9, NLT)
Believer, there are things about the provision of God and the ugliness of our human nature that we are simply unwilling to seek to know apart from the pressure of suffering. Yes, I know that God is our Deliverer and our Healer. It is good and right that we should ask Him for relief. But, we need to trust Him when He does not give us what we ask for!
I'll weep with those who weep, even as I pray for the purpose of God to be accomplished. I'll pray in full faith for healing, hope, and deliverance from every evil, even as I take my cue from the Lord Jesus Christ, who prayed as He faced the terror of the Cross- "Father, not my will, but Yours be done!"
________________
Thru my disappointments,
Strife and discontentment,
I cast my ev'ry care on the Lord,
No matter what obsession,
Pain or deep depression,
I'm standing on the Solid Rock.
I'm standing on the Rock of Ages,
Safe from all the storm that rages,
Rich but not from Satan's wages,
I'm standing on the Solid Rock.
I'm Standing on the Solid Rock
Harold Lane © 1977 Ben Speer Music (Admin. by Integrated Copyright Group, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055
Pain serves a very useful purpose. It keeps us from unintentionally damaging our bodies!
Many in the generation of Americans who are now reaching adulthood are incapable of dealing with life's challenges. They can't hold a job, meet deadlines, or finish a task without direct supervision. Their parents intently worked to spare them difficulties all through their childhood. They hovered over-protectively and rode to the rescue of their child at the slightest sign of his discomfort. If the child protested, rules were changed. Teachers were forced to coddle these little darlings; moving paper due dates, giving re-tests, and generally lowering any standards perceived to cause their students feel 'stress.' It was all in the name of love, a misguided love that has developmentally handicapped millions of kids. These kids are perpetual toddlers, having never dealt with appropriate adversity that helps us to come to emotional maturity, to learn how to get along with difficult people, to push through unpleasant circumstances towards a desired goal.
I know that suffering is awful! I see it up close almost weekly in my ministry. I've known disappointment, sorrow, and pain in my own life. Some suffering is so horrific, caused by such terrible evil, that with my admittedly limited perspective, I can find no good purpose for it. Far be it from me to minimize anyone's situation with platitudes.
However, would you allow that there is a kind of adversity that is good for us? James tells us to "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." (James 1:2-4, The Message) Paul tells us that he went through such awful and painful circumstances, he concluded that death was imminent. Later on, he said, "As a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead." (2 Corinthians 1:9, NLT)
Jacob was a deceiving, manipulative person! He cheated his foolish brother out of his birthright with a bowl of soup. He tricked his own aging, blind father into giving him the family blessing by pretending to be his brother. He defrauded his father-in-law in pursuit of greater wealth. Despite the promise of God's blessing, he tried to live life on his own terms. But, in a moment of fear, at a time when he was attempting to go back to his father's country and thought his brother Esau would seek vengeance; Jacob met God! All night he wrestled with the Lord and just before daybreak, the Lord threw his hip out of joint and left him with a limp, a physical reminder of the encounter. In addition, he gave him a new name, Israel, which means "he struggles with God." He was a changed man and limped the rest of his life.
Who wants to limp? Not me, unless it serves as a reminder of a time when God came down and reordered my priorities. Then, perhaps a limp would help to keep me from becoming the same old miserable man again. Every time I felt the catch in my step, it would be a merciful blessing. Paul struggled with some unspecified physical malady. Many preachers guess at it, but that's all we can do. He never tells us what it was, but he was clear why he suffered. Take a close look. "I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me."
(2 Corinthians 12:7-9, NLT)
Believer, there are things about the provision of God and the ugliness of our human nature that we are simply unwilling to seek to know apart from the pressure of suffering. Yes, I know that God is our Deliverer and our Healer. It is good and right that we should ask Him for relief. But, we need to trust Him when He does not give us what we ask for!
I'll weep with those who weep, even as I pray for the purpose of God to be accomplished. I'll pray in full faith for healing, hope, and deliverance from every evil, even as I take my cue from the Lord Jesus Christ, who prayed as He faced the terror of the Cross- "Father, not my will, but Yours be done!"
________________
Thru my disappointments,
Strife and discontentment,
I cast my ev'ry care on the Lord,
No matter what obsession,
Pain or deep depression,
I'm standing on the Solid Rock.
I'm standing on the Rock of Ages,
Safe from all the storm that rages,
Rich but not from Satan's wages,
I'm standing on the Solid Rock.
I'm Standing on the Solid Rock
Harold Lane © 1977 Ben Speer Music (Admin. by Integrated Copyright Group, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055
Monday, February 25, 2008
"Got-to's" to "Get-to's"
Do you perceive your responsibilities as obligations (got-to's) or opportunities (get-to's)? A simple shift in perspective can make a big difference in attitude and performance!
If a person chooses to think - "It's Monday. I've got to go to work!" they have started the week with a complaint. The person who thinks in that way sets himself up for resentment, lower performance, and a generally negative attitude. The person who says- "It's Monday. Thank God I get to go to work and earn a living." is living from a place of gratitude, which opens the door to all kinds of possibilities. You might say, "Jerry, you have no idea the grind I face. You are so naive." True or not, it does not change the wisdom of Scripture which teaches us to choose to be thankful, to accept each day with faith in God's ability to work deeply in us and through us in the world!
Last week the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart about changing my own attitudes; about seeing the opportunities that exist in in my work. Here's how. The church I lead faces some real challenges at this time. We have committed ourselves to expensive ministries that we believe are in the will of God for our congregation. We own several buildings that are very expensive to maintain that house those ministries. By all natural calculations, we cannot afford those buildings! When I look at the balance sheets and the cash flow reports, I am tempted to see only obligations that have got to be met instead of amazing opportunities to do the work of the Kingdom. When that attitude shapes my thinking, faith goes out the window. However, when I thank God for trusting the Assembly with so many opportunities; when I pray that He will provide wisdom and resources, joy returns, along with faith to believe Him to accomplish the 'impossible.'
Here's what the Word says, clearly and simply: "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT) I do not want you to misunderstand. God does not ask us to ignore the reality of our lives, but He does teach us that what is real is not always the same as what we see with our natural eyes!
There was a time when Elisha, the mighty prophet of Israel, was pursued by the king of Syria. The prophet and his servant were in a tiny village called Dothan when the armies of Aramea surrounded the town, preparing for their capture. The servant, seeing the obvious, grew terrified. Here's how the Bible tells the rest of that story. "Don’t be afraid!" Elisha told him. "For there are more on our side than on theirs!" Then Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!" The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. As the Aramean army advanced toward him, Elisha prayed, "O Lord, please make them blind." So the Lord struck them with blindness as Elisha had asked." (2 Kings 6:16-18, NLT) The fact of the presence of the Aramean troops did not change. It was a real threat. But, there was another unseen army that was even larger, the armies of Heaven. Elisha saw his world with spiritual eyes and it made all the difference!
Believer, I want to encourage you to pray, "Lord, open my eyes and let me see!" Trust God with that situation that you see as a problem. Ask Him to show you the opportunities that exist for you and for the display of His Glory right where you are, at this present time. Here's a word from the Word.
Take it to heart and live it today. "You have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him. Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful." (Colossians 2:6-7, CEV)
_________________
When we walk the Lord,
in the light of His Word,
what a Glory He shines on our way.
When we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
But we never can prove
the delights of His love,
until all on the altar we lay,
For the favor He shows,
and the joy He bestows,
are for those who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey,
for there's no other way,
to be happy in Jesus,
but to trust and obey.
John Sammis
Public Domain
If a person chooses to think - "It's Monday. I've got to go to work!" they have started the week with a complaint. The person who thinks in that way sets himself up for resentment, lower performance, and a generally negative attitude. The person who says- "It's Monday. Thank God I get to go to work and earn a living." is living from a place of gratitude, which opens the door to all kinds of possibilities. You might say, "Jerry, you have no idea the grind I face. You are so naive." True or not, it does not change the wisdom of Scripture which teaches us to choose to be thankful, to accept each day with faith in God's ability to work deeply in us and through us in the world!
Last week the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart about changing my own attitudes; about seeing the opportunities that exist in in my work. Here's how. The church I lead faces some real challenges at this time. We have committed ourselves to expensive ministries that we believe are in the will of God for our congregation. We own several buildings that are very expensive to maintain that house those ministries. By all natural calculations, we cannot afford those buildings! When I look at the balance sheets and the cash flow reports, I am tempted to see only obligations that have got to be met instead of amazing opportunities to do the work of the Kingdom. When that attitude shapes my thinking, faith goes out the window. However, when I thank God for trusting the Assembly with so many opportunities; when I pray that He will provide wisdom and resources, joy returns, along with faith to believe Him to accomplish the 'impossible.'
Here's what the Word says, clearly and simply: "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT) I do not want you to misunderstand. God does not ask us to ignore the reality of our lives, but He does teach us that what is real is not always the same as what we see with our natural eyes!
There was a time when Elisha, the mighty prophet of Israel, was pursued by the king of Syria. The prophet and his servant were in a tiny village called Dothan when the armies of Aramea surrounded the town, preparing for their capture. The servant, seeing the obvious, grew terrified. Here's how the Bible tells the rest of that story. "Don’t be afraid!" Elisha told him. "For there are more on our side than on theirs!" Then Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!" The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. As the Aramean army advanced toward him, Elisha prayed, "O Lord, please make them blind." So the Lord struck them with blindness as Elisha had asked." (2 Kings 6:16-18, NLT) The fact of the presence of the Aramean troops did not change. It was a real threat. But, there was another unseen army that was even larger, the armies of Heaven. Elisha saw his world with spiritual eyes and it made all the difference!
Believer, I want to encourage you to pray, "Lord, open my eyes and let me see!" Trust God with that situation that you see as a problem. Ask Him to show you the opportunities that exist for you and for the display of His Glory right where you are, at this present time. Here's a word from the Word.
Take it to heart and live it today. "You have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him. Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful." (Colossians 2:6-7, CEV)
_________________
When we walk the Lord,
in the light of His Word,
what a Glory He shines on our way.
When we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
But we never can prove
the delights of His love,
until all on the altar we lay,
For the favor He shows,
and the joy He bestows,
are for those who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey,
for there's no other way,
to be happy in Jesus,
but to trust and obey.
John Sammis
Public Domain
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