A Revelation of God’s Love..from Outside a Bathroom

I firmly believe that if we have our ears attuned to God’s voice and our eyes fixed upon Him, we will understand that God can reveal Himself to us in every situation in our lives. The circumstances themselves may not be entirely pleasurable—as in the case of His revelation to me last weekend—but I rejoice that no matter the circumstances– God is able to reveal the depth of His love for me, and for you.

So, how did He speak to my heart last weekend? My husband and I were watching our 2½ year- old grandson and almost one -year old granddaughter while my son and daughter-in-law are away on a much deserved weekend retreat. We thoroughly enjoy our time with them, and yet– as most if not all grandparents will attest—we understand why God had us bear children in our younger years! (Except for biblical characters like Sarah and Abraham, and they had lots of servants to help them out!) After a wonderful, packed day with our grandchildren, my husband and I were exhausted, so following a couple of hours of respite, we ‘hit the hay’. I had just fallen asleep when our grandson let out a cry of terror. I rushed to his crib and found that he had thrown up all over his crib. I immediately took him to the bathroom, he threw up once more, and then I sat with him on the floor for some time to see if he was going to have another bout. He didn’t seem feverish and said his tummy felt fine, so after getting the soiled sheets off the bed and putting fresh linens on it, I laid him back down. No sooner had I put him down and gone to my room to go back to sleep, I heard him cry out again. He had gotten sick again.  We went back to our vigil on the floor by the toilet.

After quite some time, I thought it was safe to put him back down again—after of course changing out the bed linens—but regrettably, it was not; he got sick again. I finally decided the only way he’d be fine is if he lay on me and near the toilet, but not on the bathroom tile floor again because it was too cold. So I moved the rocking chair from his bedroom to outside of the bathroom. He snuggled next to me, and assumed a position where he slept fitfully, and I slept not at all.  He became more restless and I was uncomfortable, so I thought it would be a better idea for us to both lay down outside of the bathroom on the carpeted floor together. By this time, he was thoroughly exhausted, had eliminated everything from his tummy, and fell right to sleep.

Once he was asleep, I knew I could go into the bedroom right around the corner from him and go to sleep—which I desperately needed at this point—but I also knew it was important to him that I lay right next to him in case he awoke again feeling sick or just needing my comfort. So that, along with the fact I’d already gone through several sets of sheets, ruled out putting him back into his crib. I thought about taking him to the bed where my husband and I had been sleeping, but I was concerned that my grandson could awaken and get sick again in the bed and I didn’t want to risk his giving the virus to my husband. So I remained right by his side on the floor. And, as I lay there, gladly choosing to forfeit my comfort and restful sleep for the remainder of the night in order to be by his side, I felt Jesus speak to my heart:

“Like John (my grandson) you were sick—sick with sin—and you needed me to come to your rescue. I didn’t leave all of the glories of Heaven to come down to earth to take care of you and then to leave you on your own. I came to be Immanuel—’God with you’— to remain with you in order to provide for your every need. I have given you the Holy Spirit to dwell within you, to guide and teach you, to encourage and comfort you, and to remind you of my constant Presence and unfailing love. Just as you were gladly willing to give up your sleep and comfort for John’s sake and to do all you could for him throughout the night, remember that I am always by your side, always at work on your behalf, and I will never leave or forsake you. If you ever doubt how much I love you and what I am willing to do for you, remember what you were willing to do for John, and know that my love for you is far, far greater than your love for him could ever be. You will grow weary and eventually fall asleep, but I neither slumber nor sleep; I am continually by your side, watching over you, ready at an instant to do what is best for you. As John trusts you, how much more should you trust Me?! I know that you would do all in your power for John, but you cannot provide for his every need. Only I can. And only I can provide for all of your needs. And I will. As you delight in having John by your side and watching over him, I delight in being by your side and continually keeping watch over you; I rejoice over you with singing!

As I lay there next to my grandson who had finally fallen peacefully asleep by my side, my heart was bursting with joy! Joy because my Heavenly Father had used this unforeseen circumstance— one that I would not have chosen— to reveal to me the depth of His love for me, the constancy of His presence, protection, and provision in my life, and He gave me a keener awareness of the joy that He experiences watching over me and caring for my every need. How great is our Father’s love for us, His beloved children! How blessed we are to have such a good, caring, loving Lord and Heavenly Father!

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 121 ESV

 If you ever doubt your Heavenly Father’s love for you, I encourage you to think of the love you have for someone on earth and what you have done– or would be wiling to do for them– and then contemplate how much greater your Heavenly Father’s love is for you! And just as I didn’t take my grandson into bed with my husband due to my love for my husband and concern for his well-being, keep in mind that at the same time that God is watching over you, He is also watching over others and doing what is best for them too. He alone is able to provide for everyone’s need and in a way that is best for everyone. God is always at work on your behalf, and on behalf of all of those He loves and who love Him!

Written by Julie

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Different Deliveries Yet Timeless Truth

I am overjoyed by the birth of my third grandchild and first grandson who was born last week. Although I wasn’t in the delivery room with my son and his wife when he was born, I was at the hospital and had the delight and privilege of seeing him shortly after his birth. Once again I was in awe of the absolute miracle of birth! I also was amazed by the number of changes that have taken place since I had my babies in the 80’s and early 90’s, which got me thinking about how the delivery of babies has changed so much in just the last century.

I was part of the Lamaze generation of ‘natural childbirth’ so I was blown away to be in the room while my daughter-in-law—whose labor had to be induced and then was given an epidural-was connected to a monitor that revealed she was having contractions, but was seemingly not experiencing labor pains. While I watched her, keenly aware of the contrast to the labors I had, I wondered who had brainwashed me into having four natural childbirths! After my grandson was delivered—in the same private room where my daughter-in-law labored and where they remained for the duration of their 2-day stay– they put his naked, ‘uncleaned’ body on her chest for an hour of ‘skin to skin bonding’. My son was there throughout the labor and delivery, and he even was able to cut the umbilical cord. The baby slept in a bassinet in the same room with his Mom for the duration of their hospital stay, and my son was able to enjoy those precious newborn days with his wife and new son too, not even having to leave at night since a sofa bed was provided for him in the same room.

 

What a contrast between that and when my Mom gave birth to my siblings and me in the 1950’s! She gave birth to me in a delivery room that not only was separate from the hospital room she shared with other Moms, but also separated her from my Dad, who like all of his contemporaries, definitely was not allowed in—nor did he ever consider going into– the delivery room. My Mom, like other women of her day, was heavily sedated and virtually uninvolved in the delivery that required forceps since she was too sedated to push. She did get a chance to briefly look at me before I was whisked away, weighed, and laid in a bassinet in the nursery in a row alongside all the other babies. The nurses took me to her during scheduled times and my Dad was able to visit her during strict visiting hours, as long as I was not in her room. He was only able to glance at me through the glass window of the nursery, never even able to hold me during my hospital stay.

As I thought of the changes that have taken place in the birth and delivery of babies over just the past century and how things vary based on mankind’s view of what is best, it made me so grateful to realize that God and His Word never change! One thing we can know about man’s ‘wisdom’–it will always change based on ‘new knowledge’. However, because God is the Source of all wisdom and knowledge (Proverbs 2:6; Romans 11:33-34), you can know that His Word can always be relied upon to give you truth, wisdom, and the sure guidance you need for living a purposeful, meaningful, joyous, and peaceful life. I encourage you to read the scriptures below and to thank God that He is not the author of confusion, but He is the faithful One Who can always be trusted because His character is totally consistent, He is unchanging, and He is always true to His Word!

“For I the LORD do not change… Malachi 3:6 ESV

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes]. James 1:17 AMP

Also the Splendor and Glory and Eminence of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind. 1st Samuel 15:29 AMP

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 ESV

Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Psalm 119: 89 ESV

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Matthew 24: 35 ESV

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8 ESV

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? Numbers 23:19 ESV

I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips. Psalm 89:34 ESV

Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?… For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1st Corinthian 1:20b, 25 ESV

For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 ESV

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7

Are you putting your trust and hope in the variableness of man’s reasoning and ways, or are you trusting in God Who is always ‘Faithful and True’ (Revelation 19:11)?

Lord, forgive me for when I doubt You and foolishly put my trust in the changing ways of mankind that conflict with Your unchanging Word! Increase my faith in You and help me to stand firm on Your unchanging Word in the midst of an ever-changing world! I love You, Lord, and I put my hope in You Who will not and cannot fail me! I declare that You alone are God, that all wisdom and knowledge is found in You, and You will accomplish Your purposes for me and for Your world! Amen.

Written by Julie Van Gorp

8 Reasons to Grieve Over the Orlando Massacre

Like most of you, I am grieved about the massacre that happened in Orlando this past Sunday. We are called in God’s word to hate what He hates and to love what He loves; I also believe we are to be grieved by what grieves Him. Here are some of the things related to the Orlando massacre that grieve me, and I believe grieve God too:

· I am deeply grieved that 49 people –all of whom were precious to Jesus who created them and gave His life for them–were unexpectedly and violently killed, souls who may never have received the gift of salvation for which Jesus paid the price and longed for them to receive. I am greatly grieved for those victims who didn’t know Jesus who were killed, because they will spend an eternity in hell separated from Him and all that is good. I am certain that if they could speak to their family and friends now, they would beg them to turn to Jesus and accept the forgiveness He freely offers to all who repent! (See the story of the rich man and Lazarus, Luke 16:19-31) I pray that God would teach us all to number our days so that we would get a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12) and live for the purpose each one of us was put on the earth: for the pleasure and glory of God. (Isaiah 43:7) I greatly rejoice that many potential victims were spared, and I pray for the full recovery of those who were injured, especially for the salvation of those who don’t know the Lord.

· I grieve for the victims’ families and friends, and for all who mourn the loss of the victims. I grieve realizing they may hold the false notion that has infiltrated our culture that everyone who dies– or ‘good people’ as defined by the world– go to heaven. I pray that if they are not already saved, that they would come to know that the only One Who is truly good is God, and that the only way to heaven is through Jesus who gave His life for all who would put their trust in His work of atonement on the cross. (See Mark 10:18; John 14:6; John 11:25; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9)

· I grieve for the killer Omar Mateen and for all Muslims who have been deceived by Satan into thinking that it is a ‘good work’ to kill ‘kafirs’ (all non-Muslims) and to die as a martyr, and who falsely believe that such actions will lead to their going to Paradise. I pray that all people—including all Muslims– will come to know the love of Jesus, Who rather than wanting us to shed the blood of innocent people or to die a martyrs’ death, willingly shed His own blood on the cross and laid down His life for us, giving the assurance of heaven to all who put their trust in what He did for them. In sharp contrast to the god of the Muslims, the true God does not ask us to kill others; rather, He asks us to love everyone and to pray for our enemies and those who persecute us. (See Matthew 5:43-44; Luke 6:35)

· I grieve that under the guise of ‘tolerance’ and ‘multi-cultural diversity’ many in our nation have become indoctrinated to believe that Islam is a ‘religion of peace’, when in fact it is not, rather, it is a political ideology more than it is a religion. I am grieved Omar Mateen’s action was totally aligned with the teaching of Islam, a belief system that separates people into two groups: Muslims, and ‘kafirs’ (non-Muslims) who are to be annihilated if they do not accept the tenets of Islam. (https://www.politicalislam.com/about/) I am grieved that so many people around the globe, and increasingly so in the United States, are being deceived by what some people– even those in leadership positions in our government and our media—falsely say about Islam. I grieve that some people think—even some ‘professing’ Christians– that the God of the Bible and the god of the Muslims are the same. That is because they are ignorant of Who God really is as revealed through the Bible, and they are also ignorant of the teachings of Islam as stated in the Koran, the Hadith, and the Sunna. I am also grieved that many Christians have been more interested in their own comfort than in the salvation of others and therefore they have failed to carry out the great commission that Jesus entrusted to us, ‘to go and make disciples of all nations’ (Matthew 28:16-20) so that people around the globe, including Muslims, would know the truth that would set them free from falsehoods, and receive the love their hearts long for that can only be found in knowing Jesus.
· I am deeply grieved that a pastor who professes to be a Christian proclaimed that it was not a tragedy because the victims deserved to be killed since they were homosexuals, and spewed other vitriolic statements regarding the victims. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/06/14/pastor-refuses-to-mourn-orlando-victims-the-tragedy-is-that-more-of-them-didnt-die/) It is heart breaking because that pastor and anyone else who believes what he stated obviously does not understand the true heart of God and grossly misrepresents Him. Yes, homosexuality is a sin—an abomination to God—and He is grieved that we in America have legalized homosexual marriage and promote and approve of that which He in His wisdom knows is destructive to our good. However, it is a sin—like every other sin– that His blood is able to cover and He gave His life so that ALL people, regardless of their particular sins, could find forgiveness through His atoning work on the cross. I believe Jesus is grieved whenever a person dies who did not come to Him and receive the forgiveness of sin that He offers. The Word tells us in Ezekiel 18:32, “For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord GOD. “Therefore, repent and live.” Yes, I pray that we as a nation would turn from our sin of accepting and promoting homosexuality, but I also pray that we as professing Christians would repent of the sin of pride that has led some to believe that the sin of homosexuality is somehow worse than their own sins against a holy God. We ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and we are ALL desperately in need of the forgiveness of our sins that Jesus purchased for us on the cross. (Romans 3:23)

· I grieve that politicians, the press, and others in the public arena are once again looking to blame someone– or ‘something’, like guns—rather than the perpetrator of the act. I grieve because I know that God will hold each person accountable for his or her sin, and our culture of ‘blame’ is being stirred up and used by Satan to lead people to think that they will be able to get away with their sin by placing the blame for their actions on someone or something else. God’s word is very clear that each of us will reap what we sow, (Galatians 6:7-8) and that each of us will have to stand before the throne of God and give an account of what we have done while we lived on earth. (2nd Corinthians 5:10)

· I am grieved that Satan is not only behind, but is also using all of these violent terrorist acts as another way to instill fear, distrust, and division in our nation as we blame one another for the crisis we are in. I am grieved that our country– that still has as its pledge, ‘one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all’– has become more divided than at any point in my life as a sense of both personal and corporate ‘entitlement’ has swept over our nation and the reality of personal responsibility has seemingly be swept away . I see divisiveness as one of Satan’s tactics to destroy us, the country that for so long was the ‘city on a hill’. (http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-city-on-the-hill-american-exceptionalism-and-redemptive-violence/5350265) Satan knows the truth of God’s word that ‘a house divided against itself cannot stand’. (Mark 3:25) I am grieved that our nation that was founded upon ‘the rule of law’– laws inspired by God and based upon the fundamental liberties that He as Our Creator gave to us and that granted us greater freedoms than any other nation has ever known–is moving rapidly toward ‘lawlessness’ where we will be subject to the rule of whoever wields the most power. I pray that we as a nation will wake up and realize how uniquely blessed we have been to have liberties and laws based upon God’s Word, and we will safeguard the Constitution that our founding fathers sacrificed their reputations, homes, fortunes and very lives in order for us to have, a Constitution and Bill of Rights that has enabled us to enjoy the freedoms that we have taken for granted and are dangerously close to forfeiting.

· Most of all, I am grieved that even many Christians in our nation are looking to political figures to ‘save us’ and fail to grasp the root cause of the increasing violence and terror attacks, as well as our nation’s other grave problems: we have forsaken God. And He is the only One Who can save us! He blesses the nation that trusts in Him and obeys His commands; He brings judgment on the nation that rejects and disobeys Him. (Romans 15:4; 2nd Timothy 3:16; Jeremiah 12:17). We in America have turned our back on God, and He is turning His back on us, for He longs for judgment to cause us to consider our sins, to cry out to Him, and to turn back to Him. Crises are going to increase in number and intensity unless we repent and turn away from the sins our nation has committed against a holy God. I am grieved that many people think that we ‘deserve’ to be blessed by God, even though our nation has defied His commands by: committing idolatry in so many ways, including but not limited to materialism and covetousness, an obsession with entertainment, alcohol and drugs and other forms of ‘self-indulgence’; legalizing abortion that has murdered over 58 million children God created in His image; accepting as normative fornication, adultery, divorce, homosexuality, and various other forms of sexual sins; embracing injustice and corruption in our government; and turning our back on God’s firstborn, Israel, to name just some of our nation’s sins.

We are in a spiritual battle for the souls of those in our nation. Satan has done a great job of getting us to listen to him and to turn on one another; God desires that we turn to Him, repent of our sin, and forgive one another. Only God has the power to deliver us from the muck and mire we have gotten ourselves into!

When we as a nation put our trust in God and realized our dependence upon Him, we were blessed, and we proved the truth of His Word: ‘Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!’ (Psalm 33:12 ESV)

His plea to America today is the same as the one He gave to the nation of Israel in the Old Testament when they too forgot the God Who had been the Source of their blessings: Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations…. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin (Ezekiel 14:6; Ezekiel 18:30 ESV) But if any nation will not listen, then I will utterly pluck it up and destroy it, declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 12:17 ESV)

God, Who is merciful and Who even relented in judging wicked Nineveh when that city repented during the days of Jonah, also makes a promise in His Word,’… if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. (Jeremiah 18:8 ESV)

May we who know God and His merciful, compassionate heart of love be found faithful to fervently pray for our nation to repent, to boldly stand for the truth of His Word regardless of the cost, and to share the good news of His love for everyone and His desire that all should repent and be saved!

Written by Julie Van Gorp

8 Reasons to Grieve Over the Orlando Massacre

Like most of you, I am grieved about
the massacre that happened in Orlando this past Sunday.  We are called in God’s word to hate
what He hates and to love what He loves; I also believe we are to be grieved by
what grieves Him. Here are some of the things related to the Orlando massacre
that grieve me, and I believe grieve God too:

·     
I am deeply grieved that 49
people –all of whom were precious to Jesus who created them and gave His life
for them–were unexpectedly and violently  killed, souls who may never have received the gift of
salvation for which Jesus paid the price and longed for them to receive. I am greatly grieved for those victims who didn’t know Jesus who were killed, because they will spend an eternity in hell separated from Him and all that is good. I am certain that if they could speak to their family
and friends now, they would beg them to turn to Jesus and accept the
forgiveness He freely offers to all who repent! (See the story of the rich man
and Lazarus, Luke 16:19-31) I pray that God would teach us all to number our
days so that we would get a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12) and live for the
purpose each one of us was put on the earth: for the pleasure and glory of God.
(Isaiah 43:7) I greatly rejoice that many potential victims were spared, and I pray for the full recovery of those who were injured, especially for the salvation of those who don’t know the Lord. 

·     
I grieve for the victims’
families and friends, and for all who mourn the loss of the victims.  I grieve realizing they may hold the false
notion that has infiltrated our culture that everyone who dies– or ‘good
people’ as defined by the world– go to heaven. I pray that if they are not
already saved, that they would come to know that the only One Who is truly good
is God, and that the only way to heaven is through Jesus who gave His life for
all who would put their trust in His work of atonement on the cross. (See Mark
10:18; John 14:6; John 11:25; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9)

·     
I grieve for the killer Omar Mateen and for all Muslims who have been
deceived by Satan into thinking that it is a ‘good work’ to kill ‘kafirs’ (all non-Muslims) and to die as a martyr, and who
falsely believe that such actions will lead to their going to Paradise.  I pray that all people—including all
Muslims– will come to know the love of Jesus, Who rather than wanting us
to shed the blood of innocent people or to die a martyrs’ death, willingly shed His own blood on the cross and laid down His life for us, giving the assurance of heaven to all who put their trust in what He did for them. In
sharp contrast to the god of the Muslims, the true God does not ask us to kill
others; rather, He asks us to love everyone and to pray for our enemies and
those who persecute us. (See Matthew 5:43-44; Luke 6:35)

·     
I grieve that under the guise
of ‘tolerance’ and ‘multi-cultural diversity’ many in our nation have become indoctrinated to believe that Islam is a ‘religion of peace’, when in fact it is not, rather, it is a
political ideology more than it is a religion. I am grieved Omar Mateen’s action was
totally aligned with the teaching of Islam, a belief system that separates
people into two groups: Muslims, and ‘kafirs’  (non-Muslims) who are to be annihilated if they do not
accept the tenets of Islam. (https://www.politicalislam.com/about/)  I am grieved that so many people around
the globe, and increasingly so in the United States, are being deceived by what
some people– even those in leadership positions in our government and our
media—falsely say about Islam. I grieve that some people think—even
some  ‘professing’ Christians– that the God of the Bible and the god of the
Muslims are the same. That is because they are ignorant of Who God really is as
revealed through the Bible, and they are also ignorant of the teachings of
Islam as stated in the Koran, the Hadith, and the Sunna.  I am also grieved that many Christians
have been more interested in their own comfort than in the salvation of others
and therefore they have failed to carry out the great commission that Jesus entrusted to us,
‘to go and make disciples of all nations’ (Matthew 28:16-20) so that people
around the globe, including Muslims, would know the truth that would set them
free from falsehoods, and  receive the love their hearts long for that can only be
found in knowing Jesus.

·     
I am deeply grieved that a pastor who professes to be a Christian proclaimed that it was not a tragedy because the victims deserved to be
killed since they were homosexuals, and spewed other vitriolic statements regarding the victims. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/06/14/pastor-refuses-to-mourn-orlando-victims-the-tragedy-is-that-more-of-them-didnt-die/)
It is heart breaking because that pastor and anyone else who believes what he
stated obviously does not understand the true heart of God and grossly
misrepresents Him.  Yes,
homosexuality is a sin—an abomination to God—and He is grieved that we in
America have legalized homosexual marriage and promote and approve of that which
He in His wisdom knows is destructive to our good. However, it is a sin—like
every other sin– that His blood is able to cover and He gave His life so that
ALL people, regardless of their particular sins, could find forgiveness through
His atoning work on the cross. I believe Jesus is grieved whenever a person
dies who did not come to Him and receive the forgiveness of sin that He
offers.  The Word tells us in
Ezekiel 18:32, “For I have no
pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord GOD.
“Therefore, repent and live."  Yes, I pray that we as a nation would
turn from our sin of accepting and promoting homosexuality, but I also pray
that we as professing Christians would repent of the sin of pride that has led
some to believe that the sin of homosexuality is somehow worse than their own
sins against a holy God. We ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
and we are ALL desperately in need of the forgiveness of our sins that Jesus
purchased for us on the cross. (Romans 3:23)

·     
I grieve that politicians, the
press, and others in the public arena are once again looking to blame someone–
or ‘something’, like guns—rather than the perpetrator of the act. I grieve
because I know that God will hold each person accountable for his or her sin,
and our culture of ‘blame’ is being stirred up and used by Satan to lead people
to think that they will be able to get away with their sin by placing the blame
for their actions on someone or something else.  God’s word is very clear that each of us will reap what we
sow, (Galatians 6:7-8) and that each of us will have to stand before the throne
of God and give an account of what we have done while we lived on earth. (2^nd
Corinthians 5:10)

·     
I am grieved that Satan is not
only behind, but is also using all of these violent terrorist acts as another way
to instill fear, distrust, and division in our nation as we blame one another
for the crisis we are in. I am grieved that our country– that still has as its
pledge, ‘one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for
all’– has become more divided than at any point in my life as a sense of both personal and corporate ‘entitlement’ has swept over our nation and the reality of personal responsibility has seemingly be swept away . I see divisiveness
as one of Satan’s tactics to destroy us, the country that for so long was the
‘city on a hill’. (http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-city-on-the-hill-american-exceptionalism-and-redemptive-violence/5350265) Satan knows the truth of God’s word that ‘a house divided against itself cannot stand’. (Mark 3:25) I am grieved that our nation that was founded upon ‘the rule of law’– laws
inspired by God and based upon the fundamental liberties that He as Our Creator
gave to us and that granted us greater freedoms than any other nation has ever
known–is moving rapidly toward ‘lawlessness’ where we will be subject to the
rule of whoever wields the most power. 
I pray that we as a nation will wake up and realize how uniquely blessed
we have been to have liberties and laws based upon God’s Word, and we will safeguard
the Constitution that our founding fathers sacrificed their reputations, homes,
fortunes and very lives in order for us to have, a Constitution and Bill of
Rights that has enabled us to enjoy the freedoms that we have taken for granted
and are dangerously close to forfeiting.

·     
Most of all, I am grieved that even many Christians in our nation are
looking to political figures to ‘save us’ and fail to grasp the root cause of
the increasing violence and terror attacks, as
well as our nation’s other grave problems: we have forsaken God. And He is the only One Who can save us! He blesses the
nation that trusts in Him and obeys His commands; He brings judgment on the
nation that rejects and disobeys Him. (Romans 15:4; 2^nd Timothy
3:16; Jeremiah 12:17). We in America have turned our back on God, and He is
turning His back on us, for He longs for judgment to cause us to consider our
sins, to cry out to Him, and to turn back to Him. Crises are going to increase
in number and intensity unless we repent and turn away from the sins our nation
has committed against a holy God. I am grieved that many people think that we ‘deserve’
to be blessed by God, even though our nation has defied His commands by:
committing idolatry in so many ways, including but not limited to materialism
and covetousness, an obsession with entertainment, alcohol and drugs and other
forms of ‘self-indulgence’; legalizing abortion that has murdered over 58
million children God created in His image; accepting as normative fornication,
adultery, divorce, homosexuality, and various other forms of sexual sins;
embracing injustice and corruption in our government; and turning our back on
God’s firstborn, Israel, to name just some of our nation’s sins.

We are in a
spiritual battle for the souls of those in our nation. Satan has done a great
job of getting us to listen to him and to turn on one another; God desires that
we turn to Him, repent of our sin, and forgive one another. Only God has the
power to deliver us from the muck and mire we have gotten ourselves into! 

When we as a nation put our trust in God and realized our dependence upon Him, we were blessed, and we proved the truth of His Word: ‘Blessed is the nation whose
God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!’
(Psalm 33:12 ESV)

 His plea to America today is the same as the one He gave to
the nation of Israel in the Old Testament when they too forgot the God Who had been the Source of their blessings:  Repent and turn
away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations….
Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your
ruin
(Ezekiel 14:6; Ezekiel 18:30 ESV) But if any nation will not listen, then I will utterly pluck it
up and destroy it, declares the LORD.”
(Jeremiah 12:17 ESV)

 God, Who is merciful and Who even relented in judging wicked Nineveh when that city repented during the days of Jonah, also makes a promise in His Word,’… if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from
its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. (Jeremiah 18:8
ESV)

May we who know God and His merciful, compassionate heart of love be
found faithful to fervently pray for our nation to repent, to boldly stand for the truth of His
Word regardless of the cost, and to share the good news of His love for
everyone and His desire that all
should repent and be saved! 

 Written by Julie Van Gorp

3 Essential Ways to Find True Joy

I have recognized over the past week that when I see the word “SALE!’ attached to something I want, I am extremely tempted to be self-indulgent. Following in the footsteps of my Mom, I’m the shopper who is rarely if ever tempted by anything that is full price, but if you put the ‘sale’ ticket on it, I’ve found it can be difficult (sometimes it seems almost ‘impossible’!) for me to resist. Whether I need it or not. Maybe that’s not your issue, but my guess is that you too often find yourself being self-indulgent rather than self-controlled.

We live in a culture that promotes and rewards self-indulgence: America’s motto for today seems to be, “If it feels good, do it! And don’t judge me for anything I do!” According to Webster’s dictionary, to indulge means, “to yield to the gratification or practice of habit without restraint or control”. Virtually every advertisement entices us to indulge ourselves, to satisfy our every sensual urge. Obesity statistics and bulging waistlines reveal that we indulge in food. Most Americans’ lives are consumed and satiated with sports, TV, movies, Facebook,Youtube, Instagram and a myriad of other forms of entertainment that ‘feed our flesh’. The indebtedness of the vast majority of Americans and their families is indicative that we are a culture that indulges ourselves with ‘more and better’ things that we falsely think will enhance our lives. Our culture’s addiction to alcohol and illegal as well as prescription drugs is also symptomatic of our desire to avoid any kind of pain and indulge in whatever seems to give us pleasure—even if the pleasure is momentary. The whole sexual ‘revolution’– including the increasing ‘normalization’ of promiscuity, adultery, homosexual sex, bi-sexual sex, and now each person supposedly ‘choosing’ the sex he or she ‘feels’ they should be (or to be no sex at all)— also testifies to our nation’s grave sin of self-indulgence.

We are a culture consumed with pursuing whatever we ‘feel’ will make us happy, and we resent anyone trying to restrain us from indulging in what we want, when we want it. At the heart of this are three erroneous and deceptive assumptions:  (1) that life is all about me (2) that my happiness is the ultimate goal in life (3) that happiness comes from yielding to my selfish desires.

Thankfully, God’s Word gives us the truth that can set us free from these gross deceptions, and it instructs us in righteous living so we can experience the truly joyous life God longs for us to have!

1) We will have true joy when we comprehend the reality that we were not put on the earth for our pleasure but we were created for the glory and pleasure of Almighty God.

…everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Isaiah 43:7 Isaiah 43:7 ESV

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11 KJV

2) We will have true joy when we seek to accomplish the goals that God has entrusted to us rather than seeking temporary, fleeting ‘happiness’ through gratifying our selfish desires.

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life. Ephesians 2:10 Berean Study Bible

We will have true joy– when we know God and experience intimate fellowship with Him.

And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3 ESV

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1st Corinthians 1:9 ESV

We will have true joy when we learn to fear Him (revere and worship Him) and to follow the commandments that He gave to us for our good and for the glory of His Name.

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV

We will have true joy as we are conformed to His holy image, which can only be done through the power of the Holy Spirit at work in all those who believe in and trust in Jesus and His atoning sacrifice on the cross.

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29 ESV

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy. 1st Peter 1:14-16 ESV

We will have true joy when we serve as ambassadors for Christ who preach the good news of the gospel and go and make disciples.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. 2nd Corinthians 5:17-20a ESV

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 ESV

While we are on this earth, we are to remember that we are merely sojourners here so we will keep our focus upon God and the eternal purpose and works that He has entrusted to us that lead to true joy, not upon the temporary, fleeting pleasures of this world.

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 1st Peter 2:11 ESV

 [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]. Hebrews 12:2 AMP

…as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2nd Corinthians 4:8 ESV

3) We will have true joy– as well as peace, abundant and eternal life– when we live in accordance with God’s will, which is characterized by self-control and abstaining from rather than indulging in the selfish desires of our flesh.

Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?  Romans 6:16 ESV

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:6-8 ESV

…for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13

The true joy that every soul longs to have is found in a relationship with and in the Presence of our Holy God–Who promises to make Himself known to all who seek after Him (Jeremiah 29:13)!

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 ESV

If you are not experiencing the joyous life God created you to have, ask the Holy Spirit to convict you of any area in your life where you are seeking to satisfy your selfish desires rather than to satisfy God’s perfect desires for your life.

Lord, thank You for Your Word which is truth, and for loving me so much that You made it possible for me to experience a truly joyous, abundant life here on earth, as well as giving me the assurance of an eternity in Your glorious Presence! Keep my eyes fixed upon You, Your desires, and eternity, and may my desire always and only be to please and glorify You!   

Written by Julie Van Gorp

5 Reasons You Need to Stop Saying This Word

The word never, is only beneficial when describing things that God has said will never happen or to keep a person safe.  Here are a few examples:

God is never going to change
God will never sin
God will never flood the earth again

Never do drugs

Never drink & drive

dictionary.com defines ‘never’ as:

Nev-er

1. not ever; at no time:

2. not at all; absolutely not:

3. to no extent or degree:

Often I hear people use this word in a way that does significant damage to their spiritual walk.  Here are a few examples about the times we may be tempted to use this word:  

“We know that’s never going to happen….” in response to a relationship problem, marriage issue or work dilemma.

“She’s never going to change” in response to a person

“He’s never going to get accepted” into that program/college/trade school

“They will never agree to that” in response to a governing body or place of employment

“I would never do that” in response to judging someone else’s sin

“He would never say/do that” in response to a bad report from a teacher about your child

“God will never answer this prayer/perform a miracle for me/care about this.”

The word ‘Never’ is a life killer, dream stealer, hope thwarter, and prayer thief.

5 Reasons Why We Need to Stop Using the Word ‘Never’:

1. ‘Never’ is faithless word & without faith we cannot please God  

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  Hebrews 11:6 NIV

2. ‘Never’ brings death to a situation vs. hope & life which God is the author of

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”  Proverbs 18:21 NIV

3. ‘Never’ is not the truth  (unless you’re repeating something God said will never happen.)                                                                  

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”’ Matthew 19:26 NIV

4. ‘Never; completely diminishes the power of God in our lives because it is a lie

“Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!” Psalm 40:4

5.   Saying ‘Never’ is worse than doubt, it is making yourself ‘God’ over that situation or person you are praying for or talking about.  The word ‘never’ declares that you are the authority in the matter and it is blasphemous and idolatry.  Our God is a redeemer, an expert in the restoration of all things, He makes all things new, He regenerates people from death to eternal life, and specializes in the impossible!  When you say you believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, and with the same mouth proclaim that He will “never” fix your marriage or change your friend you are a double-minded man!  Look what James 1:6-8 says: “But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”  (bold letter added for emphasis) 

The use of the word ‘never’ in your life keeps you from living a life of faith.

I challenge you to stop using the word ‘never’ and begin today to replace it with life-giving words of hope and truth from God’s Word.  

“You were wearied with the length of your way, but you did not say, “It is hopeless”; you found new life for your strength, and so you were not faint.”  Isaiah 57:10 ESV

“Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping–believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, "That’s how many descendants you will have!”  Romans 4:18 NLT

In what situation do you find yourself in that there may be ‘no reason for hope’ as was the case with Abraham?  Choose to keep on believing in God’s truth today. 

What are you hoping for?  Write out some Bible verses to study and repeat that will bring hope to your life.

Our God specializes in the impossible!

Written by Jamie Shaver

If God Could Use These 20 People, He Can Use You & My 14 Yr. Old Son- Zach’s Dilemma

Have you ever been at the crossroads between ‘should I say something?’ & ‘I’ll just ignore this’? That’s the intersection my 14 yr. old son found himself in due to the lack of godliness among the many kids he interacts with everyday.  Here’s the scene:  Zach was in a high school weight room lifting weights with his peers when a song comes on that is full of explicit sexual content and        ‘f-bombs.’  Zach is totally distracted by the vulgar nature of the song and tells me about it as soon as he gets in the car that day.  Here’s the conversation:

Zach: “Mom, when I workout I like to think about God and I feel like He gives me strength to lift and then as I’m doing that today this terrible song comes on…”

Me: “Were the coaches in the room?


Zach: “Yeah, I think 2 or 3 of them”

Me: “Did you go and tell them that you would like to listen to different music?”

Zach: “No, I feel like they wouldn’t listen to me…maybe if I told them it was affecting my performance that would get their attention because I feel like that’s all they care about.”  

Sidenote: As a mother I feel that as early and as often as I can I want to be in the “coaching” role that tells my children how to handle a situation, that they are capable of addressing it on their own, and then praying for them to have courage and do the “hard” thing, because the right thing is often the “harder” thing in the short-term and easier in the long-term.

Me: “Well, first you need to talk to the coaches and ask them to change it and if they are unwilling, then you need to bring your iPhone with your earbuds and listen to your own music.”

Zach: “We aren’t allowed to have our iPhone in the weight room because they said they don’t want us to be distracted.”     (I find this ironic due to the huge distraction that such graphic music can be)

Me: “Anytime that anyone is asking you to sin (listening to vulgar music) and the way for you to not sin (listening to your own music on your iPhone or similar device with earbuds or wearing ear plugs) is against the rules, then you have my permission and God’s to break the rule.  We are free to disobey any rules/policies that go against God’s rules/policies.”

Zach: “Well I just decided to ignore the music the best I could.”

Me: “How do you know that God hasn’t placed you in that weight room to make a difference and make the place better for all the guys that are in this program?  You addressing this with your coaches could positively impact the environment for everyone.”

Zach: “I just feel like I’m only one person & they listen to the masses, my weight lifting partner was singing all the words and I don’t think anyone else cares.”

Me: “God cares, and you are believing the lie Zach that one person cannot make a difference.  One person can make a difference especially when that one person has the power of God in them!  Jesus was only one person and he made quite an impact, and we have the same power in us that Jesus has.”

Today I’m praying for my son to have the courage to address this issue with his coaches this week.  I’m also praying for myself, my other children, and you & your families that all of us would recognize that we have been called to be more than conquerors over this present darkness!  If Zach is unwilling to do this on his own, then we still plan to have him talk to the coaches himself but he will do it with his dad by his side.  

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” 
James 4:17 ESV

Change can happen and can start with us!   Zach is in the weight room to build his physical strength and while that is of some value, God puts us in the weight room of life to grow our spiritual strength!  Be a spiritual warrior!  Is God asking you to speak out against something in your current situation or environment?  If you’ve ever doubted that God can use you, please consider the following 20 people:

Abraham was old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah & Timothy were young
David had an affair & was a murderer
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
Peter denied Christ
The disciples fell asleep while praying
The Samaritan woman was divorced
Zaccheus was small
Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer
Lazarus WAS DEAD!!!

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 ESV

Written by Jamie Shaver

Don’t Look Back

My 11 yr. old son Tyler has huge dreams when it comes to playing hockey!  Recently, he had 4 days of tryouts which involved a couple rounds of cuts.  He excitedly came home from Day 1 and said “I think I did awesome!”   As a parent, I love the confidence especially because he thanked God for helping him.  Day 2 however, was a different story and Tyler was unsure of how to rate the day.  The crooked smile and eye rolling when asked how he thought he did was a give-away that all was not well, but he finally settled on the fact that he thought it was a “little lower than good but better than ‘iffy’” kind of tryout day.    When there are many other boys that want your spot in a AAA hockey program any day that is just “better than ‘iffy’” is not a good day.  To demonstrate where he thought he was he decided to draw a graph indicating that Monday was “really good,” and Tuesday was somewhere in between “good & iffy!”  (see chart below)

As he pondered the current state of his performance, he quickly decided to flip over the graph paper and to loudly proclaim “now to predict Wednesday and Thursday!  Really good & really good!”  I also noticed when he flipped the graph over to predict the next 2 days that he never even added the bad, horrible or really bad options that he initially had as options on the front side of the graph.  After he made his predictions, he never flipped that graph over again!  (see graph below).

I thought of the many times God indicates in Scripture that we are not to look back, but forward. When used in Scripture it is often indicating that when God calls us to something then we must not get distracted and turn/shrink back, or have a divided heart caring for both for the things that God is calling us to or the things of this world.

Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”  Luke 9:62 ESV

It can be easy to allow past failures to keep us looking back on the past and dwelling on them instead of looking ahead and trusting God for a hopeful future.  Tyler decided to put his faith in who God is and stopped looking at the past, it was a new graph!   Tyler’s final prediction of the exact AAA team he would be placed on (there were 2 options) was incorrect on the graph, but he has faith that the God who made Him has put him exactly where He is supposed to be, so he’s not looking back and rehashing his tryout triumphs or trials but is instead looking forward to the new season God has prepared for him.

What do you need to stop thinking about today?

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,”  Philippians 3:13 ESV

written by Jamie Shaver

A Quick Lesson From a Boy That Asked

My 14 yr. old son in his own words would describe himself as “cool with a little side of nerd,” as opposed to a “nerd with a little side of cool!” Lol!  He loves technology, computer coding, robotics, 3D printers, the periodic table of elements and other things that give me a headache just thinking about!  It was when we were out together that he learned a valuable lesson and I was reminded of one: The importance of asking specifically for what we want or need.

I was in the middle of planning for a fundraiser and we were looking for signed jerseys from local Pittsburgh professional athletes when Zach & I stopped in to our chiropractor’s office.  While there, I realized that my chiropractor may know some athletes, and the conversation went like this:

Me:  “So I’m planning a fundraiser right now and was wondering if you or anyone you know might have access to any players from any of the Pittsburgh sports teams that may be willing to sign a jersey for a fundraiser?

Hesitating for a moment he answered: “not really, nobody is coming to mind, but let me think about it.”

I determined it was a good time to teach a lesson to my son Zach.

Me: “Zach, if you feel that you are operating in God’s plan for your life and that you want or need something, you must always be willing to ask specifically for what you need and keep asking until you find it.

Zach laughing says, “ok mom, so will you buy me a new gaming computuer?”  

Me: “No”

Zach: “Awww mom, c’mon you said if I asked I could get what I want…”

Me: “Well it’s not a guarantee that you are going to get what you ask for, but it’s almost a guarantee that you will not get what you don’t ask for!  And when I hear the word no, I just keep on asking and telling people about what it is I’m looking for until I get a yes.”

With a sly smile Zach proceeds to ask our chiropractor who is now busy giving me an adjustment, “Dr. Todd will you buy me a new gaming computer?”

Laughing he says “no, but I can introduce you to a guy that can teach you how to build your own!”

In that moment it was as if the skies had parted and angels were singing!  Zach’s face lit up and he exclaimed “seriously?!”

Now Dr. Todd had no idea that his answer was a far better outcome for Zach who had only asked for someone to purchase him a gaming computer, but ended up with something far greater than he could’ve hoped for or imagined…an opportunity to build his own!  The “nerd” in him was beyond excited and his mind raced with all the possibilities of building his own gaming computer.  

With eyebrows still raised Zach asked “how soon can you get me his number?  That would be amazing if I could learn to do that!  Mom, would you let me do that this summer?”

Me: “Of course!”

We walked out and I was reminded of the verse that says in part “…you have not because you ask not,” and another verse where God says that he “is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20 ESV

That day God surprised Zach when he provided an opportunity that was far greater than what he had orginally asked for!

What do you need to ask for today?

For Whom Should You Vote?

This election year is the most critical one in recent history.  The next president will likely appoint 3-5 Supreme Court Justices who will profoundly impact the future direction of our nation and whether we hold to a strict or loose interpretation of the Constitution.  In other words, whether we will be a nation governed by law or man!  What is at stake is whether we will maintain or forfeit the rights that our founding father’s sacrificed their reputations, their homes, careers, and even their very lives to ensure that we as American citizens would have. We must take the privilege and responsibility we have to vote very seriously.

No person in their own wisdom can fix the problems of our nation; they are spiritual in nature and they stem from our nation turning our back on God and His commands. Our only hope as a nation is to be found in our turning to God. It is imperative that we elect a leader who knows God; who realizes that we must turn to Him for guidance and direction; and who is willing to humble himself/herself and seek God’s direction as he/she leads our country. Scripture and history reveal that, ‘as the leader goes, so goes the nation’. George Washington and Abraham Lincoln– who many consider to be our nation’s two greatest presidents– were men who met the above criteria. Washington shaped the destiny of our nation during our nation’s crucial formative years, and Lincoln’s pivotal leadership preserved the unity of our nation when the forces behind the Civil War would have divided us. We are desperate for leadership like theirs during this critical juncture in our country’s history. It was their character and their choosing to lean upon the Character of God that made them great leaders; God granted them the wisdom to lead as they sought His guidance and direction.

What characteristics should a Christian look for in a leader? No person has had a greater impact on our world than Jesus so it makes sense that we should look to his life to help us determine the most important leadership qualities. Keep in mind that there is no perfect person or leader– other than Jesus– but we in America have the privilege and the responsibility as citizens to vote for the candidate who most closely aligns with God’s leadership standards. Below are some of the character qualities of Jesus, which also constitute a great leader:

1) Humble and Servant leader: Jesus was a servant, as was clearly displayed when He washed His disciples’ feet at the Last Supper. He did not seek power for Himself; He always sought to serve others and to bring glory to His Heavenly Father.  We all have been called to emulate His example, as Paul charged us to do in his letter to the Philippians.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:3-7

Which of the candidates exhibits the greatest humility? Which candidate most closely appears to be a ‘servant leader’ whose primary purpose is to serve others and God rather than to achieve a position of power to further his/her own agenda and achieve a name and power for himself/herself? Are there any candidate(s) who are arrogant, conceited, and appear to be primarily interested in elevating themselves out of selfish ambition?

2) Knowledgeable of and subservient to the will of God: Jesus always sought to know the will of God, His Heavenly Father, and he always obeyed Him– even when that meant his death on a cross (Philippians 2:8) He would go off to pray early in the mornings to meet with His Heavenly Father. After hearing from God the Father, Jesus would go to the places His Heavenly Father led him to go; interact with the people with whom His Heavenly Father told him to interact; and he would speak the words His Heavenly Father gave him to speak. Jesus knew he could nothing apart from his Heavenly Father and he made it clear that he was dependent upon Him.

Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me.” John 7:16

“For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.”  John 12:49
Jesus gave them this answer:  “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”  John 5:19

Which of the candidates by their words and their lives acknowledge that they look to God and rely upon Him for direction and strength? That they trust in and seek always to obey God’s commands? Which candidate do you think will consider God’s commandments and godly principles in their decision-making? Is there any candidate who you doubt has a personal relationship with God? A candidate(s) who you are concerned whether he/she knows the truth of God’s word and whether he/she would seek guidance from Him?

3) Truthful and full of integrity: Jesus is the truth! (John 14:6)

Jesus always spoke the truth, and all of his actions lined up with the truth that he spoke.

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

Which candidate appears to be the most trust worthy based upon what he/she says and does? Do the candidate’s actions line up with his/her words or do they prove his/her words to be false? Is there any candidate whose integrity you question? Does he/ she speak falsely against others (Exodus 20:16)?

4) Faithful and steadfast, even in the face of trials: Jesus’ life on earth epitomized faithfulness. He was faithful to His Heavenly Father as well as faithful to the people He came to ‘seek and save’. When tempted by Satan, Jesus didn’t succumb to the temptation to satisfy his own desires or to seek glory for himself; he remained faithful to the will of His Heavenly Father.  In the Garden of Eden when Satan again came to tempt him to disobey God, Jesus made the decision to remain faithful even though he knew it meant great humiliation, excruciating pain, and a horrific death. He was faithful to the end out of obedience to His Heavenly Father, and he also remained faithful for the sake of all who would receive the gift of salvation that his death purchased. As he sits at the right hand of the Father in Heaven, Jesus is still faithful to his own as he lives to intercede on their behalf.

Which of the candidates do you believe would remain most faithful to their oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States? Which candidate do you believe will be most resolute in standing up for, and if necessary, defending the rights of the American people as guaranteed by the Constitution, such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion, and the right to bear arms? Which candidate do you think will be able to remain strong and prevail when there is the temptation to compromise or make unwise ‘deals with the devil’, whether concerning domestic or international policies? And which candidate will remain faithful not only to the American people but also will stand with Israel, our only democratic ally in the Middle East, and more importantly God’s chosen people, for whom it was prophesied,  “Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you.”? (Number 24: 9) Is there any candidate(s) whose stance on issues has wavered and/or you are concerned if they would be faithful to uphold the rights guaranteed to people under the Constitution? Do you question any of the candidate’s allegiance to Israel?

5) Righteous:  Jesus always is fair, just, and does what is right and in ways that are right. In other words, Jesus would never ascribe to the belief that, ‘the end justifies the means’ because ALL that he does is good and moral. He would not take part in activities that were unrighteous– or immoral– in nature.  

Which candidate demonstrates that he/she is the most righteous one? Are there any candidate(s) that cause concern because of unrighteous activity or behavior?

6) Compassionate and caring: The essence of Jesus’ nature is love.  He is completely selfless and always seeks to meet others’ needs.

Which candidate demonstrates the most sincere selfless love, respect, and concern for the welfare of others? Is there any candidate(s) that causes concern because he/she demonstrates a lack of love and respect for others?

Although this is not an exhaustive list, hopefully it will provide guidance to you as you prepare to cast your vote. Most importantly, make sure to pray and ask God to give you discernment and wisdom regarding not only for whom to vote, but also please pray for all elected and appointed leaders as we have been commanded to do (1st Timothy 2:1-4) as well as for our nation to repent and turn to Jesus—the Way, the Truth, the Life, and our only Hope!

written by Julie Van Gorp