General Posts, etc.

Sigh

/ Bob

In his post “Sigh,” Steve Brewer expressed so well what I was thinking yesterday as I listened to talk show hosts and commentators (they weren’t extraordinary taters, just common taters) express both their joy and sadness as well as their hope and despair over the previous day’s election results.

3Do not trust in politicians, In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.
4When their campaign is over, they return to the State House.
In that very day their thoughts and plans evaporate.
(Psalm 146:3-4 YEV [Young Extrapolated Version] as inspired by Steve Brewer

3Do not trust in princes, In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation (help).
4When his spirit leaves him, he returns to the earth;
In that very day his thoughts and plans perish. (Psalm 146:3-4 AMP)

thebrewisamusing's avatarThe Brew Is A Musing

Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground, on that very day their plans come to nothing. (Psalms 146:3–4, NIV 1984).

My Musings – “I wish my American brothers and sisters would stop trying to change America through politics. It will never happen. The only way to change America is thru the power of the Gospel and bringing people into a relationship with Jesus Christ. I wish my fellow Christians in the USA were as passionate about sharing Jesus as they were about their political views (sigh).” (Jason Stuart, Bible translator, PNG).

I agree with Jason. No matter how high (or low) the blue or red “wave” is, it will ultimately disappoint. We spend two years griping out how bad things are, and how our elected officials are not following the will of people. Yet, by…

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Pray and Then Vote

/ Bob

1 Timothy 2:1-4

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Voting is both a right and a privilege here in the United States. But whether you live in the U.S. or in some other county, the admonition Paul gives Timothy applies to us today. Here in the U.S. we have begun to think that our future is determined by the vote. As citizens we should be salt and light within our country and, consequently, we should be involved in the political process as much as is in our power to do so. However, our faith must be in the One Who establishes and allows governments to exist. Our hope must be in Him. Only then can we walk in wisdom and in peace in the midst of a political storm, a geo-political conflict, or a peace–squelching effort on the part of any human or institution.

Daniel 2:20-22

Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
For wisdom and might are His.
And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and raises up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those who have understanding.
He reveals deep and secret things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And light dwells with Him.

Galatians: The Rule (and Domination) of Law

/ Bob

The Rule of Law is the system under which we live in America. We press for law and order. If something doesn’t seem right we want to pass a law or at least a rule to fix the problem. We live daily with thousands of laws and rules and guidelines and procedures – some of which we can live with and some of which cause us great irritation.

When Paul addresses the Galatians he actually calls them foolish for following the law. But specifically he was saying that the law was given to show us our transgressions, but that it was incapable of saving anyone. Salvation comes by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. The Galatians and we, by extension, cannot be good enough to earn our way into heaven. To accept the grace of God as found in the atoning work of Christ and then decide we are going to try to be good enough for God to accept us is nothing more than a slap in the face of God. It’s not just foolish – it’s ungratefully rude.

Jesus said in John 14:15 that if we love Him we will keep His commandments. He did not say that if we keep His commandments we will love Him. We must do the things He wants us to do, but not because it’s some kind of fraternal initiation to get us into heaven, but because we truly love Jesus and want to honor Him in all we do.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, September 18, 2022. It is part of a series of Bible study sessions from The Gospel Project – a Bible study curriculum developed by Lifeway Christian Resources. Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com

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