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Tuesday,
November 3,
2020
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from Havre De Grace, Maryland, sent this photo taken from
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"An
Election Day Reminder"
Message summary: The Apostle Paul said, "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20). Let's all remember that! In so doing we will have an inner peace that does not change based on the circumstances of the day or whether "our side" wins or loses in this political election. Whatever happens, "Our God Reigns" and because of that we will forever place our trust in Him.
"But
our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await
a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ"
(Philippians 3:20).
This
world is not my home; I'm just a passin' through.
My treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue.
The angels beckon me, from Heaven's open door.
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore!
My treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue.
The angels beckon me, from Heaven's open door.
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore!
Albert
E. Brumley
Today is Election Day here in the USA. In this Daily Encouragement message we write particularly with the American election in mind. However our Biblical exposition is pertinent to every nation.
Later today we will cast our vote and in our small town voting place expect to witness the usual integrity that we are accustomed to. Representatives from both political parties work together to verify our identity and that we are indeed registered to vote. This is altogether reasonable! After confirmation a ballot will be handed to us where we are able to secretly cast our ballots in a small booth. It is our hope and prayer that the elective process goes as smoothly all over the country in both rural and city polling places!
Two major competing ideologies divide our nation this election day. These ideologies in fact have divided the human race ever since the fall. Now to be clear we are by no means asserting that either one or the other of the present candidates or modern political parties represents these two ideologies 100%. It's not that simple. As some are fond of stating the obvious, "God is neither a Democrat or a Republican".
There are various reasons that people will choose to vote as they do. Some simply vote along political party lines, giving little thought about the actual persons or positions they represent. Some just vote the way their family always has. Others base their vote on the charisma of the candidates and their popularity with the public or who featured the best rock stars at their campaign rallies. Sadly many vote based on who they think will give them more stuff.
But
few candidates really want to address the deep needs
our country faces. And we feel too many who vote
also mistakenly think there's a political solution
to the mess we are in.
Today we prayerfully support the candidates who will most likely defend and protect our religious freedoms, a constitutional right that has always been upheld in the past but now is eroding rapidly before our very eyes. We consider, as we have all our adult lives, the view concerning protection for the unborn of vital importance. We also consider the candidates' views on subjects that we feel are vital to our nation's survival, security, prosperity and moral well-being.
But we must keep in mind that politics is not the key to surviving as a nation. Another way to put it is that, although we may have a preference as to whom we want to govern, our hope must not be anchored in the outcome of the 2020 election.
We want to have a perspective similar to Jesus. The dominant system when Jesus was on this earth ultimately determined that His views were worthy of death. At His trial before Pilate Jesus calmly addressed the heart of the matter, "My kingdom is not of this world". Earlier in an exchange with the religious leaders of His day He minced no words, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world" (John 8:23).
Jesus also applied this phrase "not of the world" to His followers in John 17:16, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world". We want to remember where our ultimate citizenship is. We need to have the mindset of hymn writer Albert Brumley quoted at the beginning of our message, "And I can't feel at home in this world anymore!" God never intended that we drive the stakes too deeply with our life here on earth since the original sin marked our human lives with the stamp "terminal".
The Apostle Paul said, "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20). Let's all remember that! In so doing we will have an inner peace that does not change based on the circumstances of the day or whether "our side" wins or loses in this political election. Whatever happens, "Our God Reigns" and because of that we will forever place our trust in Him.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Today we prayerfully support the candidates who will most likely defend and protect our religious freedoms, a constitutional right that has always been upheld in the past but now is eroding rapidly before our very eyes. We consider, as we have all our adult lives, the view concerning protection for the unborn of vital importance. We also consider the candidates' views on subjects that we feel are vital to our nation's survival, security, prosperity and moral well-being.
But we must keep in mind that politics is not the key to surviving as a nation. Another way to put it is that, although we may have a preference as to whom we want to govern, our hope must not be anchored in the outcome of the 2020 election.
We want to have a perspective similar to Jesus. The dominant system when Jesus was on this earth ultimately determined that His views were worthy of death. At His trial before Pilate Jesus calmly addressed the heart of the matter, "My kingdom is not of this world". Earlier in an exchange with the religious leaders of His day He minced no words, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world" (John 8:23).
Jesus also applied this phrase "not of the world" to His followers in John 17:16, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world". We want to remember where our ultimate citizenship is. We need to have the mindset of hymn writer Albert Brumley quoted at the beginning of our message, "And I can't feel at home in this world anymore!" God never intended that we drive the stakes too deeply with our life here on earth since the original sin marked our human lives with the stamp "terminal".
The Apostle Paul said, "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20). Let's all remember that! In so doing we will have an inner peace that does not change based on the circumstances of the day or whether "our side" wins or loses in this political election. Whatever happens, "Our God Reigns" and because of that we will forever place our trust in Him.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, we are
privileged to vote on this historic election day.
Our country is deeply divided, our biblical values
are assaulted daily, and our personal freedoms are
diminishing year after year. Yet we still have a
voice in the electing of our governing officials.We pray for discernment in voting for our country's leadership, from the highest office level to small town officials. We pray for our godly candidates that want to make a spiritual impact in the prevailing secularism of our land.
Like Joseph, Daniel, David, and Paul, who influenced the government of their day, we pray for wise, fierce, and courageous leaders who will uphold standards that align with Scripture, that will seek to change laws that intimidate or penalize believers who practice their faith in the public arena.
No matter the election outcome our trust is fixed on You, both here and now and for all eternity. Amen.
Prayer for Election: Here's an excellent format with guidelines in praying for our election we shared yesterday. Many have been praying for quite some time, but perhaps the Lord will use these biblical suggestions from writer Dave Butts to enhance your prayer time as we approach tomorrow's deadline for voting. How to Pray for the Upcoming Election
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA