What Do You Think?

Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it’s God’s order. So live responsibly as a citizen. If you’re irresponsible to the state, then you’re irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible. Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you’re trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should have nothing to fear. Do you want to be on good terms with the government? Be a responsible citizen and you’ll get on just fine, the government working to your advantage. But if you’re breaking the rules right and left, watch out. The police aren’t there just to be admired in their uniforms. God also has an interest in keeping order, and he uses them to do it. That’s why you must live responsibly—not just to avoid punishment but also because it’s the right way to live.
Romans 13:1-5

I have heard many questions, concerns, and opinions on the events which have occurred in Charlotte recently.  And I have also been asked my thoughts on the issue.  What I have heard and read show me that we are a society in turmoil.  It is as though we are bound and determined to tear our country apart from the inside out, and it is heartbreaking to see all this divisiveness!  But here's something to think about, this is nothing new!

The Apostle Paul wrote to the church of Rome, and indirectly to us, that if we do what is right, we have nothing to fear from those in authority.  But if we choose to disobey authority, then we will be punished, and rightfully so.

If you break the law, you are subject to punishment.  If you don't like the law, that does not exempt you from obeying it.  Does this mean every law is absolutely correct?  I doubt it.  

For example: "When approaching a four way or blind intersection in a non-horse driven vehicle you must stop 100 ft from the intersection and discharge a firearm into the air to warn horse traffic." At the time, this law made sense and was expected to be obeyed. Failure to obey led to punishment.  Now, we look back on such laws and scoff at their seeming stupidity.

The argument has been made to me that Law Enforcement is evil and overbearing.  You can say my opinion is skewed if you wish, but my opinion is just that....MINE!  Are there some bad law enforcement officers?  Yes!  Are there some good ones? Absolutely!  Where we tend to get into trouble is when we make broad accusations.  Are there bad people in this world? Yes!  Are there good ones? Absolutely!  

Whoever does wrong is wrong!  It's that plain and simple.  Are there those who get away with doing bad things?  For now, but their day will come, as it will for each of us, when we will stand before God and give a FULL ACCOUNT of our lives.  

Here's the best way I can make this point: YOU do what is right!  Because YOU are the one who chooses what YOU do.  

Now, as far as who's lives matter......whose air is it we breathe?  Have we become so divided that only paisley people can breathe this air while the plaid people can only breathe the air that's over in their part of town?  When we begin to see that Jesus' sacrifice wasn't just for some people, it was for ALL people.  We are the ones who choose to accept this or not, and that decision will play out in how we treat each other.

Pray For The Peacemakers And The PeaceKeepers!

This has been National Police Week, and today I ask you to join with me in lifting to the heart of God police officers you know, have met, or know of.  And to lift them BY NAME. If you don't know their name, introduce yourself....they really are great people.

Abba Father,
In this moment, we give to you our offerings of praise and gratitude for those who keep us safe and enforce the laws.  We are grateful that You have called them to stand as Your guardians of Your people.  

As each officer prepares for their tour: 
     grant them Your strength to do what must be done
     grant them Your wisdom to make the split second decisions
     grant them Your discernment to determine the best course of action
     grant them Your patience when dealing with the public
     grant them Your protection as they go where evil dwells
     grant them Your love to show the world that police are here to help
     grant them Your courage to show that they are human too
     grant them Your fearlessness to let others come alongside and care
     grant them the knowledge that You are protecting their families
     fill them with the truth that You have called each of them BY NAME and love them
     grant us the desire to pray for them, love them, care about them, and encourage them
     fill them with the truth that they are appreciated and we are grateful for each of them
     Remind those who would break the law, that YOUR agents will enforce the laws, and lawbreakers should fear.

And as each officer goes through their tour, remind them that You are always with them!

And at the end of their tour, let each officer be grateful to You that they can go home safe.

Remind us always to, with gratitude, to pray for those who protect and serve.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit
Amen!
 

Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Day

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
    but God remains the strength of my heart;
    he is mine forever.

~Psalm 73:26

 

Today is Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Day.  This is the day where we remember and honor the Law Enforcement Officers whose lives were given Protecting and Serving the Public.

 

It seems as though every single day brings more news about officers being assaulted, wounded or killed.  We have an entire generation teaching the next generations that laws are to be ignored; that laws don't apply; that law enforcement officers are weak and ineffective because of the skewed stories found on Social Media and in the Mainstream Media.

 

This could be very discouraging....unless you understand today's verse.  No matter how discouraged I feel because of what I am told or how I am viewed, GOD is the strength of my heart and my source of all FOREVER!

 

Being a Law Enforcement Officer is a calling, just like the call to Ministry.  Take time this very day to say "Thank You" to a Law Enforcement Officer.  Take time to pray for them.  Take time to let them know they are appreciated!

 

Father,

     In the quiet of our soul, hear the message of thanks we offer to You for those You have called to be Law Enforcement Officers.  

     When they put on their uniform, remind them that You have clothed them in Your love.

     When there is a split-second decision to be made, grant them Your clarity and discernment.

     When there is doubt, grant each officer Your courage to do what is right no matter what.

     When fear seeks to enter their hearts, destroy that fear with the knowledge that You are with them.

 

Grant them the courage to Protect and Serve without bias or hesitation. 

      Let those who break the law fear those You have sent to enforce it.

      Let those who keep the law be encouragers of the Peacemakers.

 

Take each officer where You want them to go.

Show them who You want them to meet.

Help them speak what You want to be heard.

Remind them that You have their "6"

 

And when their shift is completed, my each Officer and their family give You thanks and praise.  My we never forget that we are in Your Hands and Heart forever.

                                                                                                      Amen.    

 

 

Life Feel Like You're In A Hamster Wheel?

These are the words of the Teacher, King David’s son, who ruled in Jerusalem.

“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”

What do people get for all their hard work under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes. The sun rises and the sun sets, then hurries around to rise again. The wind blows south, and then turns north. Around and around it goes, blowing in circles. Rivers run into the sea, but the sea is never full. Then the water returns again to the rivers and flows out again to the sea. Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.

Ecclesiastes 1:1-8

Ever feel like no matter what you do, it just doesn't matter?  If you read today's passage at face value, then you get the impression that all our efforts are pointless, we get depressed, we quit trying, and then we wait to die.

BUT....There are 3 words I want you to focus on: "under the sun."  Why is this important?  Very simple, because the world will turn and go through its routine, but we don't work for the world!  True, we are routine driven people.  For centuries we plant, we wait, we harvest, we wait, we plant, and over and over and over.  But no matter what our 'routine' we do not work for the the world under the sun!  If you did exactly the same routine over and over and over, having exactly the same conversations over and over, eating the same thing over and over, would you not get depressed?  

The Apostle Paul reminds us: "Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people, because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24)  

For YEARS I have worked jobs and hated every minute of it.  I was so tired of doing the same thing over and over day after day without ever feeling appreciated or encouraged....like a hamster in a wheel.  But when I FINALLY realized that God is my boss, my perspective began to change.  When my perspective changed, so did my career.  God has put me in a position where I get to do what I LOVE to do, with people that I LOVE working with, and I have a boss that I truly admire because he reminds me that my efforts are appreciated.

Stop working the routine and Work for GOD!  You will see a difference!