Nothing is as GOOD or as BAD as it seems!

Well, the election has come and gone. This morning some in our country will wake up in fear and dread and the other half of our country will wake up with joyful celebration. Two years ago, the roles were reversed. Every election I am reminded of this saying:

Things are usually NEVER as GREAT as we imagine or as BAD as we imagine. 

I am not sure who coined the phrase originally, but I think I heard it from Lou Holtz for the first time:

Lou Holtz: "Nothing is as good as it seems, and nothing is as bad as it seems. Somewhere in between lies reality."

I agree with Lou. 

If you came here wanting me to give you my perspective on the election, you will be greatly saddened. While I do have strong political views and I always vote, as I believe it is expected by God. I do not EVER interject politics into my blogs, my preaching, nor do I let it control my view of people. Do I take stands on political issues like abortion and sexuality? Absolutely, but I only take a stand on them from the perspective of God's word. 

I do not rely upon my government to control my thoughts or actions, only the power and might of God, as demonstrated through his word, influence my actions and my stands upon right and wrong!

As I was reading the story about Laban and Jacob in Genesis 31 this morning, it reminded me of the conflict we have in our country. We have very different political ideologies competing for control of our country. Laban and Jacob were like the Republicans and Democrats. They were always at odds. But the best news, GOD IS IN CONTROL. He was in control of that situation and he is in control of this situation in our country. My joy this morning is not in a POLITICAL PARTY. My JOY is in the Lord who is in control of all things including our government, our elected officials, and the laws of our land. He has a purpose in everything. Sometimes that purpose is punishment. Sometimes his purpose is to grow our faith. Sometimes he wants to re-direct us, and sometimes he wants to have his fellow believers to teach non-believers how to be gracious, loving, and kind in all circumstances. 

After much conflict and harsh words between Laban and Jacob, this was the scene:

"So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a monument. Then he told his family members, 'Gather some stones.' So they gathered stones and piled them in a heap. Then Jacob and Laban sat down beside the pile of stones to eat a covenant meal." (Genesis 31:45-46, NLT)

We are called to share a meal even with our harshest enemies. We are called to love our enemies as we love ourselves. Today, in the midst of more turmoil and change, my prayer is that we can sit down and eat a covenant meal between republicans and democrats and endorsed by the God above. I pray we can promise not to harm each other just like Jacob and Laban.

Heavenly Father. I plead with you to help heal the political divide in our country. I plead with you to help your kingdom people to always be kind and loving to those we disagree with. You tell us the battle is not between flesh and blood but between the spiritual forces. Help us not to bring that battle for the souls of this world, into our lives. Let us rely upon you to fight the battle. Let us rely upon you to win the victory which is already promised through your Son's work on the cross. We love you Lord and know we have nothing to fear because YOU ARE IN CONTROL! AMEN!

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If you haven't repented of your sin, accepted what Jesus did for you on the cross, dying for your sins, or if you have not committed your life to Jesus, TODAY could be that day. give your life to the Lord. 

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Romans 10:9-10, ESV)

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