Good morning Brethren! Hope your week has gone well and those who are sick are improving! Let’s keep praying for one another and overcome this world’s ways.
As this new year begins with more uncertainty in every sector of life, it was interesting to read one of today’s top headlines: “God Told Me Who The Next President Will Be” as quoted by several on-line news sources, on one of Pat Robertson’s most recent comments.
Regardless if Mr. Robertson has been in touch with some place that could provide these types of reliable predictions, one of his comments that he also reportedly said, is compelling! That, “…only ‘overwhelming prayer’ can bring a new leader who will stop the country from ‘disintegrating’…”
Indeed, not since perhaps Presidents, Ronald Reagan or FDR, have we really had leadership that seemed to “pull together” instead of apart; and this disintegration or fragmentation is exactly the environment that Satan thrives in.
There may be other examples you could site of leaders who brought people together. In each case, you also see an ability of both the people and the leader or leaders, to work together as a team, for a common good. It is something special to see.
You also see people putting aside their own personal wants for a common (good) goal. Point being, today we are becoming so fragmented, even within so called political parties who say they have common goals that even basic common goals are thrown aside to pursue fragmented ideas!
This is just plain dumb: a, let’s sink the ship in the middle of the ocean, because we don’t like the meal service. What is even more alarming – is — some people really think this way!
Recently one famous news talk commentator said something astounding. He stated, that “negative political ads work” — that is, to bring down a candidate running for office. So his advice to a caller was to: “get used” it.
Let me understand then, since something works to accomplish a person’s end goal, we should then just “get used” to the bad way it is done, regardless if it right or not appropriate? Not! This is totally outrageous thinking and it is irresponsible of this man, who is a public figure, to say such a thing. As well, it is totally, unfounded in God’s word.
In fact the Bible is replete with people who “did it their way” and what was the result? Six thousand years of horrible human history under the sway of Satan. Satan, who is the deceiver, is also the one who brings confusion, doubts and fragmentation. He is indeed the one who is swaying this entire world into believing such lies. Satan is holding this world captive!
Instead God says to us who are truly converted: “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” Another translation says: “….let love be genuine…..” (Rom 12:9 ERV)
Yes we must BOTH abhor evil and cling to good. Doing one without the other does not reflect true love, which is genuine, pure and without spot. To accomplish this as true Christians we must have constant contact with the true source of complete righteousness, Our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ.
The opposite is called hypocrisy. Disintegration results from fragmented behavior. As a nation, we will literally pull apart in short order, with that kind of logic stated above. What is more ridiculous is that people indeed do seem to love negative political ads. They want to know the “dirt” — even if the sins are not true!
Righteousness is disappearing, as political ads and the like, attack with half-truths, misstatements or innuendos. Here we are approaching what may be one of the most important elections in our nation’s history and the lack of good leadership is appalling. Instead we need true leaders who stand up for what is right. Who will lead and not follow the polls to make their policy.
Some day that leadership will be here on earth. Someday Christ will return and judge righteously.
A little read passage says it all: “I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him. (Ecclesiastes 3:14 NKJ)
Yes, we will see a change someday for the better. God will do it! Until then we don’t have to live in uncertainty of the future, tossed around by whatever comes in our own personal lives; but we can live in peace, through the daily help from our God. We do that through prayer.
“….if my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 ASV)
Truly then, we must seek that which is from above, in prayer, each day; and then we will be prepared to handle what comes. “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17 ASV)
Tomorrow Church Services will be at all the regular locations and times: Tucson and Prescott at 10:30 AM; Albuquerque at 11:00 AM; Santa Fe at 2:30 PM and Phoenix at 3:00 PM. There is a potluck and or refreshments, plus a Bible Study, planned for after Services in both Tucson and Prescott. Don’t miss any of the spiritual food God is providing His Church; along with fellowship with Brethren of like mind!
Our conference line is working well for those who are sick or too far away, etc. We have had a number of good comments on it. You will need to check out this on our website for details.
Have a peaceful Sabbath evening!
Sincerely,
Rodger L. Bardo
Area Pastor AZ-NM
602-910-1086
rlbardo@aol.com
