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RECAP NEWSLETTER - 6/19/4 Issue 11 Recently, as we hear the clamor over the election candidates, it seems that everyone has their two cents on who should be voted for and how we should vote. I have heard people say we should vote on principle. Some have said that we should only vote for one of the top two parties since otherwise would be a waste. Some have even said that they wished that was not so, but the third-party candidates have no money, no plan, etc. Others point out structure and organization problems. So who should be vote for? Should we vote? As Christians, whenever we have a questions (especially one of such magnitude), first we need to pray and examine the Word. Have their been historical examples where God gave His 'vote'? While much of the leadership recorded in the Bible is either monarchy or theocracy, there were still leaders chosen. In several instances, God specifically did the choosing. I am reminded of when God chose David to be king (1 Sam. 16). It is interesting that the chapter starts off with God reminding Samuel that He had rejected Saul as king. When the people had started to clamor for a king just like the other nations, God warned them of the dangers that would fall on them. They did not listen, and God picked out Saul and gave them exactly what they wanted. It grieved Him to give them the king that they wanted, but they had chosen to reject God's counsel. Now Samuel was going to anoint the next king. Unfortunately, he started looking for the exact same characteristics that were in Saul. He was looking for what could be termed "a real man" - someone who looked like a natural-born leader. He even said that Eliab was 'the one'. God then had to remind Samuel that God looks on the heart, not the outward appearance (vs.7). In all, Samuel went through seven 'candidates' whom God did not chose. Finally, perhaps a bit flustered and confused by passing up all these 'qualified' men, Samuel asks if there where any more sons. "And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep." (vs.11). The youngest and most obscure candidate for the kingship was dismissed by even his own family as a candidate. However, God knew his heart, that he desired to serve God. Sometimes, the least likely candidate could have been a choice that we should have considered. As it comes closer to voting time, we will make many decisions. Sometimes it is prudent to dismiss the public poll results, the flashy TV images, the catchy campaign slogans, the fervent campaign stops, and all the outward appearances that will be poured on the dazzled audiences. Anyone can be portrayed as good right before an election. Look at their past actions, not words. Did they say they stand for one thing yet do another? Does their life (not just words) reflect that they are a Christian and a man after God's heart? Do they wear God and Christianity as a label or as a life? There are many things to consider about an individual. Out of the heart a man speaketh. What a man believes inside will affect how he acts. Since God picked a king based on his heart (and David had demonstrated his love and faith for God as a youth), we can also use it as a reference as we lend our support to a future president. Time fails to examine other examples in the Bible, but think about others that God voted for, that we would have dismissed: Gideon, Paul, Solomon, Esther...
MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS "Can 'faith' be used as an excuse to do nothing?" [para] "Doing nothing = counterfeit faith" This next quote was so good I printed it out, and also am using it as my computer wallpaper right now: "I have joyfully dedicated my life to this great end, to give a practical demonstration to all who need it of the blessedness and power of the life of faith." (1874) "No one ever knew Jehovah without being able to exercise faith in Him. It is when God is not know that difficulty comes. The great point therefore is to acquaint ourselves with God, to know God for ourselves as He has revealed Himself in the Scriptures."
Why is it important to know more of God? Here is a great thought I found from Pastor Jerald Manley: "IF believers would consume Scripture as they do sensationalized, fictionalized, romanticized, pseudo-Christian novels and IF they would search the Scriptures as they do every new charlatan's promise of quick fix knowledge and the old swindler's claim of new revelation - in other words, IF believers would close the soap-opera-but-Christianized, novelettish sagas of escapism, abandon the popularized, well-merchandized, illusional and delusional, apocalyptic, secularized-denatured-biblical works of fiction, and quit seeking the fake, fraudulent, and fabricated shrouds, codes, and chads, they would be neither GULLIBLE for ERROR nor HOSTILE to TRUTH. Yet most professing Christians and some believers will continue following fables and seeking old wives' tales, as if slaves to the flesh, entertainment, and sensationalist fads, and will thereby be led captive by novelty and chicanery.. May God bless His remnant who stand and having done all, just keeping on standing. They are often lonely, but they are always in good company outside the camp (Hebrews 13:13)."
ADDED RESOURCES
CURRENT EVENT RECAP With the aftereffects of the Iraq prison scandal, a noticeable trend is starting to emerge in the area of accountability. With the recent news reports, one could get the perspective that the United States is acting belligerently and tries to smooth over 'setbacks' such as the lack of WMD, the lack of apology in the prison scandal, hiding prisoners, deteriorating security, etc. On the other hand, the UN is emerging as a power that, while they have had problems in the past (oil-for-food, assault and rape allegations, whistleblower retaliation, etc.), they are least are honest enough to admit it publicly and work on and address the problems. This is also become apparent as the US has recently tried to renew immunity from World Court. Even to someone not concerned about sovereignty, this just smacks of hypocrisy and deceit in light of the recent prison scandals. After the sound rejection of such a notion by Annan and China, pressing the issue further might exacerbate the situation. Also, the UN is increasingly flexing their power without the US, getting to where they are meddling in internal affairs with Caterpillar, and increasing pressure on Sudan. In morality, the drawing up of liturgy (a script for a religious service) for gay marriages by a church in Vermont is just another blatant indicator of the increase of the perversion. Also, you will see more and more the subject of sodomy becoming 'hate speech', and politically incorrect. The church in Waterford now undergoing investigation by the IRS is a prime example of the trap and compromise that 501c3s can put themselves into.
REMINDERS
May God richly bless,
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