November…a time of cool weather…fall colors…football…turkey…voting…

and yes, giving thanks!

As we have progressed through the book of Acts, there is something in it that causes me to reflect on and be thankful for this month…and that is the nation that we live in.  When we remember the culture and government that the early church lived in, we see that they certainly had a difficult time with Rome over them – from being taxed to tortured.  It was a volatile country with respect to how Christians would be viewed and treated.  No Christian would ever be allowed to vote for their leaders!  Rome was supreme and Caesar its “king,” with everyone being its subjects.  You did not necessarily get to say what you wanted, nor did you get to pursue your interests, nor were you necessarily free when it came to your religious beliefs. (more…)

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1 Timothy 2:1-3 says, “First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior.”

As citizens of the United States we have a unique role in our government as voters. Because of this we each play a role as members of that “authority” mentioned in 1 Timothy. So we should not only be praying for those who are elected but also for “We the people.”

This coming Tuesday is election day and we are planning to make an all day prayer room at the church available to anyone who would like to participate. Jack will be opening the doors at 7am and I’ll be closing it up at 7pm. The format is casual and anyone who would like to come for a time to pray and lift up those in authority over us on that day are more than welcome. Come for just a few minutes or several hours. Either way we encourage all believers to lift up the people of the United States of America in prayer.

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One of my favorite preachers on the radio is Dr. Allistair Begg. In today’s brodcast he quoted a short Puritan prayer that really hits the centrality of the Gospel in our lives as believers. I hope that this prayer expresses our heart each day.

Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory. Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision. Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine; let me find Thy light in my darkness, Thy life in my death, Thy joy in my sorrow, Thy grace in my sin, Thy riches in my poverty, Thy glory in my valley.

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