That antique table caught his eye at one of those farmhouse auctions. For many years, probably decades, it had just sat out in the barn. Chickens had roosted on it. Old greasy tools had sat on it. In fact, through the years all sorts of trash had been thrown on it. It was filthy and flimsy, and when the auctioneer called its number, no one even made a bid on it.
JESUS IS PRESENTED IN THE TEMPLE!
Ever desire for a word of confirmation or encouragement when facing an uncertain event? Am I doing the right thing, the right way? Am I pleasing God in what I am doing with my life? How can I get God to listen to my prayers?
We saw violence in our society more and more as on a SONday two weeks ago, worshippers were slaughtered in a small-town South Texas church. Yet again, yet so soon, we struggle to make sense of bloodshed and violence. In the past few years, there have been shootings in Aurora, Colorado, Newtown Connecticut, Las Vegas, Nevada and more. Some of these events have specifically targeted Christians.
You have a job to do – to move this big rock. Would you rather use a shovel or a back hoe? You are going to build a house to withstand a hurricane. Would you rather use Popsicle sticks or logs?
You want God’s power in your life, but are you forgetting what that power is and how to use it or are you tapping it daily in all you do? Are you receiving His power through a fire hose or a stirring straw?
The “Bump stock” was not the problem.
The number of guns and amount of ammo was not the problem.
Negative reaction to some medication was not the problem.
A psychosis suddenly flaring up was not the problem.
(This crime was planned for months in advance. That eliminates drugs or some sudden brain failure.)
1. God & Government in the Old Testament
Patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob – 4,000 B.C. They were the oldest male in the family clan. All were recognized as authorities over their respective clans.
Judges – God used Judges after the Israelites became more and more of a nation. They were “the government” of God’s people until the time of the Kings.
Exodus 18:13–26 – Moses was called a judge.
Exodus 18:13–26 – God called for judges to be appointed through Israel.
It disturbs me to hear people use Jesus’ name as an expression of emotion or anger or even hatred towards someone or something.
Praying “in Jesus’ Name” is now prohibited in many government circles. They are trying to silence any mention of Jesus (because they think that by prohibiting our freedom of speech and religion, they can make Him go away and not feel convicted of their sin). Just like the Jews in the early days of the Church, non-believers think that suppressing the name of Jesus will cause Christianity to go away – Acts 5:40–42.
It is amazing to see the liberals blame President Donald J. Trump for things that they started as though it is his fault.
It was Obama and Black Lives Matter that raised up the racism.
It was liberal “white supremists” that played the race card against the blacks.
It was progressive Antifa that has been engaging in violent demonstrations against anyone they don’t like.
Some people have tried to misstate that the church should stay out of politics. That is a very mistaken notion that is not supported in Scripture. Here are some observations on the history of God’s people and their involvement either in government or speaking to or about the rights and wrongs of their governing leaders.
Donald J. Trump ran on that slogan to win the Presidency of the United States of America. Many citizens realize that our nation has strayed from its original roots and has decayed into lawlessness, corruption, immorality and more.
