The 2016 primary voting in TX is over; so I will…

 

Pray God’s will for my country

 

Not be afraid

 

Recognize the power of quiet

 

Address what I believe is important

 

Not be compelled to provide an answer to every question asked

 

Not bite at bait (bait stinks to high heaven)

 

Keep my eyes on the prize of the high calling

 

Respond

 

Not react

 

Be quiet in God’s presence

 

Listen more than I talk

 

 

“Be still, and know that I am God!

 

I will be honored by every nation.

 

I will be honored throughout the world.”

Psalm 46:10

 

 

He’s got it and he will.

 

 

“…he knows where I am going.

 

And when he tests me,

 

I will come out as pure as gold.

Job 23:10

 

 

And with his help, I will.

 

 

 

I love words and am often so struck by a phrase that I’ll mull it over and over throughout the day. Thus far today, “comets are most visible against the black sky”— originating in Max Lucado’s blog post “Worried Enough To Pray”—is resonating in my head.

 

And circling around in there for the past two days:

 

The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said,

 

“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,

 

‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming!

 

Clear the road for him!’”

Matthew 3:3

 

I was part of a leadership group, of like professionals, for many years. One of our practices was to share an object, with the group, which had special significance to the sharer. Each member would verbalize an observation about the object; and we would then occasionally relate back to it as we presented a case study. It encouraged thinking outside the box in ways that often brought surprising illumination to the presented study.

 

My brain works in tangential ways; and my words, following my thoughts, often change directions mid-stream—making perfect sense to me, but sometimes disconcerting my listeners. It reminds me of watching a water bug skitter across the top of the pond—you never know its next direction. It’s also a great way for me to inadvertently start a rumor, if not very careful! 🙂

 

That said, I’m considering how Max’s phrase fits with Isaiah’s words—quoted by gospel writer Matthew to describe John the Baptist’s ministry.

 

The time distance between the Old and New Testaments was over 400 years—a very long time for God’s people to not hear from him directly; and a dark and quiet backdrop against which to emblazon a fiery shouting comet:

 

‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming!

 

Clear the road for him!’”

 

I jokingly say that I began teaching Sunday school before I was born—not really, but truly for a lot of years. It was tons of work and, in the way God blesses teachers, I learned way more than anyone who ever sat in my classes.

 

I learned over time to pray for my students and to ask the Lord’s Spirit to teach the lessons through me. One of my main objectives was that the Scriptures would become practical and applicable to our daily lives—and not just dressed up Sunday morning words.

 

It’s a practice I work to maintain; because of what use is God’s word to me personally, if I don’t allow him to change me through it?

 

So my takeaway, from the intersection of Max, Isaiah, John, and Matthew’s words, is to allow God’s truths to blaze through my life into whatever darkness surrounds me.

 

Amen and amen.

 

Every line where people wait—to cast a ballot, board a plane, order a coffee—has a first and last spot; and most of us are usually impatient to get to the front.

 

Life has a lot of lines—one study estimated the average person spends two years waiting in them—but some lines are more important than others. To wit, we’re all in line to die, but none of us really knows how close we are to the front.

 

A couple of weeks ago a friend and I exchanged Judge Scalia quotes:

 

“mere factual innocence is no reason not to carry out a death sentence properly reached.”

 

“God assumed from the beginning that the wise of the world would view Christians as fools…and He has not been disappointed…If I have brought any message today, it is this: have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ. And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world.”

 

I liked the second one better; and this was my response to my friend who sent the first:

 

This is the first season of my life where I’ve honestly been interested in politics and following world events. So I’m barely above ignorance concerning Mr. Scalia’s legal opinions; but when someone dies I do wonder if they knew Jesus personally because it’ll make the difference for eternity. And how God measures Mr. Scalia at the final judgment is all that matters now.

 

I know you love me 🙂 but I suspect you also think I’m a little nutty; and just to know…I’m not much bothered by the idea 🙂 so here goes…

 

The world is changing rapidly and becoming a much less hospitable place for Bible believers. God’s already spelled out what’s going to happen though and I have no fears…just truly see it as my next great adventure. Soon is a relative word, but I believe Jesus is coming soon to remove his followers. The Bible says it’ll happen in the twinkling of an eye.

 

I’m emailing an article* that talks about what happens on earth after the Christians are gone. I’ve no idea what you believe in your heart of hearts, but you do know I pray for you daily. I’m so thankful that God’s design is as it is…everybody is born a sinner…and nobody can earn salvation. It’s a free gift, but has to be deliberately accepted before the transaction is valid for the individual. I’m excited about where we are in time. Love you!

 

Paul teaches in Romans, Chapter 11, that the church age, in which we now live, is going to end after the last Gentile (non-Jew) comes to Christ. A most important line; so this morning, for the very first time, I prayed specifically for whoever’s holding that last spot.

 

 

It will happen in a moment,

 

in the blink of an eye,

 

when the last trumpet is blown.

 

For when the trumpet sounds,

 

those who have died will be raised to live forever.

 

And we who are living will also be transformed.

1 Corinthians 15:52

 

 

 

http://christinprophecy.org/articles/jesus-came/