Have you ever heard it said, Two things you never discuss are politics and religion? It’s because it causes people to get passionate, angry, and upset. So, let’s just not talk about them. The problem is: these two things literally govern a society.

Political season:

The word “politics” comes from the Greek words “politika polis,” meaning affairs of the city — a citizen (politician) who has responsibilities to a city. It can also mean the act of living together in a city, state, country, or community. So, we should discuss these things. We are in a very political season. The president of the United States; house seats, both state and federal; and senate seats, both state and federal will all be decided this year — the future fate of our state and the future state of our country. So, I believe we must be involved by praying and voting.

The issues:

Some will say, None of the candidates has or possesses my values, so I’m going to sit this one out. I don’t believe God ever intended His people to sit anything out. I believe one way we can decide is to base it on the issues. We have the issues of the family, abortion, the rights of the unborn, economy. So, I think this could be a way for all of us to engage. But to do nothing doesn’t help shape policy.

Values voting:

We can influence policy and policy makers — from federal judges to supreme court nominees. These people have an impact on all of our lives. Here’s one more way to look at it: which candidate will allow us to live out our faith and not come against us or pass laws that limit our freedom of worship and expression? Maybe that will help us all to register and pray and vote. We can influence policy if we are willing to do our part.

I don’t believe God would say He sits out (Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority, except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God — Romans 13:1), then ask us to sit out and do nothing.

Just a thought,

PSS

In order to serve the Lord, we must overcome the culture of this world.

Lifestyle:

Culture determines everything. Culture is a word for the way of life of groups of people, meaning the way they do things. For example, when you are walking into a library, you’re talking and laughing; but when you enter, what do you do? You get really quiet. Why? The culture of the library is to be quiet. Our cultural values and beliefs manifest themselves through our lifestyle — what we believe, how we act, what is permissible and what is not.

Fight:

The fight we fight is a cultural one when it comes to serving the Lord. He says in Isaiah 55:8-9, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. I believe God is talking about the cultural clash that we all must fight and win. It’s understanding that we may not have been raised to serve God and honor His word, that we all have thoughts and beliefs. But if we are ever going to serve God His way, we must deal with culture, and bring our cultural beliefs and ways of doing things in line with His ways.

Change:

This means God is working with us to constantly change our ways to His ways, which means it will take some thought and then the willingness to change. Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). We really need to learn and live on the culture Jesus sets forth. It’s the only way to true peace and growth.

So, let’s persevere with great expectation that God hears and answers our prayers.

Just a thought,

PSS

Everyone needs a vision for their life. Vision is the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom.

Unrestraint:

Proverbs 29:18 — Where there is no vision (no redemptive revelation of God), the people perish; but he who keeps the law (of God, which includes that of man) — blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he. Without a vision, the people are unrestrained; they run wild. There is nothing to keep us from doing our own things — casting off all restraint, and feeding and yielding to our flesh.

Purpose:

Vision gives us direction — a road map for our lives, purpose, and dreams. It’s more than a purpose: it’s what helps us fulfill our purpose. Our greatest purpose is to connect with God and learn His ways. Vision begins from a desire — the desire for something better, a better future. A vision for your life will keep you on the straight and narrow. So many lack vision because they are satisfied with where they are.

Future:

P.K. Bernard said, “A man without a vision is a man without a future. A man without a future will always return to his past.” Cleddie Keith said it this way, “A knife cuts because it has a narrow focus.” If you don’t have a vision for your life, begin today by saying, My vision is to know God and His word, and to please Him.

Be a doer of the word of God, then allow God to lead and direct your life. It’s always your choice. Choose life.

Just a thought,

PSS

As we come to the end of another year, and are about to enter into a new one, we get to reflect on 2019 — reflect on the negatives and the positives — maybe think about the things that went well and the things that didn’t go well. We get to think about what we could do better in the coming new year and what we believe we did that helped us, helped others.

Choose:

The choices we make are in our hands, nobody else’s. We get to choose what we do and don’t do. We get to choose whether or not we take care of our responsibilities. Some of us will be sad to see 2019 end, while others will be glad to start over in the new year. Either way, we all have choices to make.

Seek Him:

Serving God, honoring God and His word, should be a choice we all make — to be more dedicated to the things of God, to seek Him first (Matthew 6:33). He can make all the difference in our world. But again, your choice. God tells us to choose life, His word, His ways. Jesus said, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4 NKJV).

Persevere:

So, no matter how you view 2019, let’s purpose to seek God, be a doer of His word like never before, and put Him first in every area of our lives. I believe 2020 will be the year of perseverance. We need to persevere in seeking and serving God, and we will see Him move in our lives in a greater way than we have seen before.

So, as you reflect on 2019, look at and take note of the areas you have grown in; and, most of all, always be thankful and grateful to God.

Just a thought,

PSS

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, and to remind each and every one of us the real reason for this season.

Holiday:

So many make Christmas about a day off work or about getting together with friends and family, giving and receiving gifts, sitting around eating turkey and all the fixings. None of these things are bad or wrong. But Christmas is so much more than all of these things.

Holy day:

Christmas is really about celebrating, acknowledging the birth of the Savior of the world, that God came to us as a little baby, grew up, and sacrificed Himself for every one of us. It’s really about God and the Lord Jesus. Without Jesus coming, none of us would be able to have a relationship with God — the God of the Bible, not a fictional god that someone has made up. There are so many fake religions in this world, but there is only one that is right and real.

The way:

Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6 KJV). That’s who He is — all man, all God, God with us. So, as we come to December 25, let it be about celebrating Jesus and what He did for all of us. He was willing to lay down His glory and come down to earth to save anyone who chooses to believe in Him.

Let’s really celebrate His birth, life, death, and resurrection. Let your family know, let your children know that the real reason for Christmas is Jesus and what He did for us.

Just a thought & Merry Christmas,

PSS