A CRISIS OF LEADERSHIP!

 When the righteous thrive, the people

rejoice, when the wicked rule, the 

people groan. (Prov. 29:2)

Election day is two weeks away and I'm still not sure how I will cast my vote! There's just no clear choice if you're a Christian! With all the  ugliness of this year's presidential campaigning (name calling, personal attacks, and blatant disrespect) and the future of family values at stake;  it makes you want to just pack it in and say forget it!  This time I'll just stay home!  But I hope you don't!

Now, more than ever we should vote! It's hard to believe that only a generation ago, people were martyred just to give us that right!  Still, I'm feeling you....we are definitely in a crisis of leadership!  Remove that term from its socialistic roots;  set it in the context of today's political scenario, and you'll find there are still many similarities.  Just different players and a different country!

Here are a few voting strategies that Christians  are leaning toward:  1.  Choose the lesser of two evils. (Not crazy about either one but vote to keep the one I hate  most out of office)  2.  Write in the name of a candidate. (Jesus sounds good!)   3. Vote for a Third party candidate (Basically opt to throw your vote away because they rarely win) 4.  Don't vote at all!

Let me give you some insight on each.  Choosing the lesser of two evils is still choosing evil!  (James 1:13) I think we can agree that no candidate is completely flawless.  As one pastor said, unless Jesus is on the ballot, we all are going to vote for an imperfect man or woman!  Our moral dilemma hinges on voting for the one we think would do the greater good or try to stop the one who might do the most harm!  Here's the kicker... you have no guarantee that a politician will do what he/she says they will do once they get in office any way and there's never going to be a candidate you agree with on everything!

Writing in a candidate.  This sounds a bit like using  a Get out of Jail Free card!  I'm relieved of a guilty conscience and still considered a good citizen because I've participated in the political process! But if no thought or prayer is given to the importance of this decision where does wisdom and accountability for acting in accordance to God's will come into play? (I Cor. 10:31)

Voting for the Third Party candidate.  Not a bad choice, if they actually stand for something that you value and consider a priority. So many times because they lack the resources or the media exposure, their platform is hard to  discern.  Hey, I'm all for the under dog but they still have to have substance if I'm going to vote for them.

Don't vote at all.  Now this is really tempting! The Democrats pledge support for some issues that I know are not in God's will!  While Republicans say they are religiously conservative,  yet violate continuously, two principles that defy God's Word!  Like the Pharisees in Jesus' day they lack sensitivity to the human condition: Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul and your neighbor as yourself  which is the greatest of all the commandments (a paraphrase of Matthew 22:37-38).  And they use fear mongering to push their agenda.  2 Timothy 1:7 says that God has not given Christians a spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind.  

 Both parties show a lack of character, wisdom and, humility because they exclude God from their agendas and will give Him no credit for any future success! I love this quote by Tony Evans:  God does not ride on the backs of an Elephant or a Donkey!  As difficult as it is, WE STILL NEED TO VOTE!  WHY?  Because we are God's Servants to do His will here on earth! (Romans 6:16, 22)

Listen we don't know who God will allow to take the presidency!  That's not even our problem!  Romans 14 reminds us that there is no authority that exist that God does not allow!  And those whom He does allow are His servants! (Now won't they be surprised!) As for us we must accept God's will however He makes that decision!  It may be for our blessing!  Our it may be for our judgement! Still we must be obedient!   

This is my caution to you my Sisters!  Pray, Pray, Pray before puling that lever, Ask not Who I should vote for, but how you should vote that will best accomplish God's will for this time!
Max Lucado says:  Our strategy as a church is to remind people of the power of prayer. Prayer moves God, and God moves nations. Our first and foremost responsibility is to PRAY! 

UNTIL NEXT TIME....

If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR  scroll to the bottom of my blog page at  http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com  click on the  no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space.

DEATH OF A NATION!

When the foundations are
being destroyed, what can the
righteous do? (Ps. 11:3)

This past Friday, a highly publicized movie, Birth of A Nation, hit the theaters.  Even with all the controversy surrounding it; it is expected to do well!  I certainly hope it does.  If you think it is any thing like D.W. Griffith's 1915 movie by the same name you are  mistaken! But the latter will give you valuable insight as to what writer, director, and star, Nate Parker is trying to expose about America today--not a lot has changed.

As a history buff of sorts, I can't get enough of seeing the Black American experience portrayed and shared with people of all ethnicities! Yet, I'm still appalled at the ignorance that prevails about  color and race contextually among my own people!  But hey, that's not what I want to talk about here!

Our nation is dying!  Our Christian foundation crumbling under our feet!  Loss of biblical values; decline in morals; a failing economy, unemploy-ment, and government corruption! And along with it, a general lack of respect shown for human life and dignity!

The people in Flint, Michigan still can't drink the water! Crime and violence continues against the innocent and instead of trying to find solutions; the powers that be are blame shifting; taking pot shots at political opponents, and exposing their filthy personal lives!

What's Killing America? 

• Greed and a culture of excess passed down generationally.  We're giving our children too much, too soon without proper guidance in stewardship. America's addiction to money and materialism creates exploitation and crime at all levels as evidenced throughout our society.

• Assertion of rights with no boundaries. Beyond human rights that speak to assuring basic needs for everyone,  minors rebelling against parental authority can now emancipate themselves.   Sexual preferences overshadow biblical mandates of decency and fringe groups of every kind violate individual freedoms under the guise of constitutional liberties. 

• Erosion of Morality and Ethics- Anything goes.  Character no longer counts in America.  As long as you are considered successful, skillful, and/or effective in maintaining a lifestyle of affluence, you can pretty much do anything to anyone and have it accepted by the majority. 

• Self  Sufficiency, the attitude that I don't need any one, not even God.  This kind of pride, sets us up for  divine judgement now and in the future.  Because God has blessed America so bountifully in the past and we have been lauded for such; we've gotten the notion that God had nothing to do with it! We did it on our own.  This sin of ingratitude and our lack of repentance gives God ample opportunity to show us hat He's still in charge! Thus, we see problems that no system, bureau, or forum made by man can solve! 

This is only a partial list.  David asked this question in Psalms 11:3: When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do? 

 First of all we do not panic!  I love this commentary note from The Life Application Bible on this verse:  When the foundations are shaking and you wish you could hide, remember that God's still in control.  His power is not diminished by any turn of events.

Secondly, stand firm, put on the whole armor and somehow find a way to share God's peace, joy and love with everyone, giving them a reason for the hope that still lies within us. ( I Peter 3:15) 

Thirdly, return to your bible roots for godly living in your home, neighborhood, and workplace.  Turn off the electronics and incorporate prayer, Bible reading, Sunday School and Bible Study in your weekly routine.  Talk about what's happening in the world with your family. Be intentional about parenting, and problem solving from a Biblical perspective. 

We're about four weeks away from the U.S. Presidential Election! Some believe that many of the nation's woes will be healed depending on who gets elected!  It won't!!  God is the only Remedy for a dying nation!  Get back to His original plan!  Rebuild the Foundation!

UNTIL NEXT TIME....

If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR  scroll to the bottom of my blog page at  http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com  click on the  no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space.