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Good Sunday morning November 1st, 2020, my “Walking with Jesus” friends;
I feel led by the Holy Spirit of God to prepare this unique, ‘special edition’ of “Walking with Jesus” for today, this very special Sunday.
Yesterday was Halloween Saturday in many parts of the world. Oh I hope this Sunday is a day of great contrast for you as we worship the one, true, living, Holy God today!
Day after tomorrow may be the most significant election day in recent history, not just for the USA, but for our whole world! I don’t think that is an overstatement.
I can’t imagine the contrast to be greater as we consider what the two American presidential teams have promised for the future if they win! Recent statements, especially by the Biden/Harris team make it abundantly clear. If they are elected they will take their victory as a mandate from the American people to make radical change very, very quickly and very deeply.
The Biden/Harris team have promised to absolutely reverse many policies and practices of the current administration within days of taking office. They promise to make sweeping changes in almost every segment of American society… business; education; healthcare; politics; law enforcement; immigration; religious freedom; the LGBTQ movement into full integration in American society; sanctity of life at all stages of life from conception to elderly; taxation; and even the authority of the government over the individual person. And that’s all on the domestic front. There will also be great changes in America’s dealings internationally with a Biden/Harris led United States
I believe it is safe to say America will look, feel and function VERY differently in a very short time, and let there be no mistake… there will be no going back. History shows us, the fundamental societal changes the Liberals are determined to complete will not be reversible without something extravagant.
I invite you to spend some extended time in Psalm 1 today, and take some time this Sunday for deep reflection and prayer!
Leaders always surround themselves with friends, advisors and especially those who will affirm and applaud them! For whoever wins this election, just consider who they will surround themselves with and to whom they will entrust positions of great authority.
“Blessed is the person who does NOT walk in step with the wicked, or stand in the path that sinners take, or sit in the company of those who mock truth; but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on His truth day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers.” (Psalm 1:1-3)
Some weeks ago, I had the opportunity to open God’s Word, the Bible, with a group of people, calling them to consider that Christians should be viewed as “Aliens” in our wicked world. The Apostle Peter, in his first letter, uses that term when encouraging Christians across the Roman Empire in terrible times of persecution and moral failure, not unlike our world today. If you’ve trusted Jesus Christ to be your Savior, the rescuing work HE has done in Redeeming you from your sin bondage, and the Transforming work the Holy Spirit of God has been doing in you, are re-orienting your life so you should see yourself as an ‘alien’ in our world. A spiritual ‘alien’!
The God truths which guide your life, and shape your values and priorities, are very different from the deceptions leading most societies in our world into moral implosion. Increasingly the wicked world views authentic Christ followers, not just as ‘aliens’ but as more and more out of step with public & politically ‘correct’ opinion! The contrast between God’s people and the rest of the world is dramatic isn’t it? It should be! So I’ve attached a brief clip from that message, at the end of my special edition “Walking with Jesus” today.
Consider God’s warning in Psalm 1:4,5,6 for those whom God calls “the wicked”, in contrast with the people blessed by God because of their deep commitment to Him and their reliance on His truth. “Not so the wicked. They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.”
It’s very clear isn’t it friends? Should we take God’s words of truth and warning seriously? Oh yes friends!! There is danger if we don’t! History is filled with the sad stories of those people and nations who have disregarded God, His truths, and especially His warnings!
Do you see the contrast picture God paints between deeply rooted, large trees that can stand strong in the storms and provide shade & fruit for those worn by the ravages of life…and the rootless tumbleweed bush, swept along by the wind in the desert, good for nothing? Can you make the application to people, and leaders and nations?
Do you see the strong language God uses when describing people He calls ‘the wicked’ and the people He calls ‘the blessed whose delight is in the truth & way of the LORD’?
And finally, look closely at vs. 5 and 6 when considering the dramatic contrast in final destiny for these two very different types of people? Now my friends I urge you to ponder these deep questions on this Sunday as we prepare to step into a week that may well see the world change:
1. Honestly now… as God looks deep into my soul, am I a person God considers as ‘the wicked’ or am I one of those God calls ‘the righteous’? How can I be sure?
2. WHO are the people I most associate with (vs 1) and what is my attitude, my hunger for God’s Word, the Bible (vs 2)?
3. Is my role in my society helpful, truthful, strength like an oak tree, or weak, shallow, deceitful, worthless like a scrub tumbleweed?
4. What is my destiny… destruction or the assembly of the righteous? And what is my path from this day to the end of time? Am I self-reliant, or am I an ‘alien’ over whom the LORD is watching (vs 6)?
Oh, Lord Jesus, on this Sunday, I invite you to speak powerfully to me and all your people, all around the world. Help us see ourselves as you see us Lord Jesus! Convict us, Holy Spirit, if there are things God wants to change in us!
Oh guide us wisely, if we are among those who have the privilege to cast our vote in the election this Tuesday. And then grant us, all of us, great wisdom as we live with the results of this election!
Here’s the link I promised you my friends,
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Bible images provided with attribution to www.LumoProject.com.
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Pastor Doug Anderson 262.441.8785
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
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