Post Election Meditations ...

This has been a long and contentious process. i have been saddened by the tone of the discourse but not surprised. I even contributed to the snide remarks and predictions of failure. But now the American public has spoken. I will try to avoid discussing partisan politics because it polarizes and diverts people away from the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I did not pray for Bill Clinton during most of his Presidency. I did not respect him as the authority my sovereign God allowed to be in power. I said ugly things about him. In short, I sinned in my spirit and with my speech. During that time I put my trust in politics and not in God. I will not make that mistake again. I am maturing in my faith. I am more aware of who I am in Christ and that my trust is in God and not in government. That does not mean I will be apathetic.


For the past eight years I have heard incredibly ugly things said about President Bush. I completely understand that people disagreed with some or even all of his policies. But the hate was mind boggling. I will not be a part of that with President Obama. Mr. Bush will be judged by history and by God. President Obama will be judged by history and by God. I may disagree with the policies of any president but I will do my best to stick to policy and not engage in personal attack.


I was wrapped up in thought about the election the next evening when God gently reminded me that nothing changes in what I am called to do on the morning of November 5th. I am to spend the rest of my days passionately communicating that all truth is in grace and in grace is all truth. That is my calling and I pray that I can keep to that task.


Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

So my trust is in God and my hope is in Jesus.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace.

Whether you are happy or sad at the end of the day one thing is true. Nothing changes in the policies of God’s Word.

That’s my opinion and I pray that all my brothers and sisters in Christ will feel the same way.

Larry Abele - Editorial Team

(If you would like to stay current with prayer needs for our country and the Presidency, please check out the link to the right ... Presidential Prayer Team. I recommend it.)

What a Great Time For Thanksgiving!

In the United States we will soon be celebrating Thanksgiving. And, as I thought about the many things I have to be thankful for, I am reminded of a song.

Song writer, Irving Berlin, penned a little ditty for the 1940’s musical “Annie Get Your Gun.” I can still see in my mind, Ethel Merman singing:

“Got no check book .. Got no banks .. Still I’d like to express my thanks, I’ve got the sun in the morning and the moon at night.”

In this present time, 60 years later, it is still a great attitude to have. People around the globe are gnawing on their knuckles wondering what is going to happen to them as their world seems to be draining into the sewer! Enormous ego’s and giant greed has reduced their sight to a tunnel that leads to disaster.

The financial crisis has spread throughout the world and is no longer a problem for just the Western Hemisphere.

In the Los Angeles area over 500 high end houses and mansions have been burned down in wild fires this past week. And still war and starvation and abuse continues to blight the whole world.

However, believers know that no matter what storms swirl around us, there is one thing that endures forever … the love of our almighty God! We DO have many things for which to be thankful.

We do not judge our worth by our finances or by our position in this world … we judge our worth by what Jesus Christ did for each of us. We judge ourselves by the fact that God … the Creator of EVERYTHING … loves each and every one of us.

The apostle Paul gave us such a beautiful truth in Romans 5:1-2 when he said “… since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.”

And on top of that, my friends, “we have the sun in the morning and the moon at night.”

As Thanksgiving time approaches, let us take our minds off of the secular world for a week. Don’t think about what you don’t have. All of us DON’T have something. Don’t think about what you may have lost. All of us have LOST something. Take time to think of what you HAVE and be thankful for it.

I guarantee … the Lord will be pleased … and knowing that … you might like to express your thanks.

Larry Abele, Editorial Team

High Value of the Low Estate

Jesus looked at his disciples and said, "Happy are you poor; the Kingdom of God is yours! Happy are you who are hungry now; you will be filled! Happy are you who weep now; you will laugh! Happy are you when people hate you, reject you, insult you, and say that you are evil, all because of the Son of Man! Be glad when that happens and dance for joy, because a great reward is kept for you in heaven. For their ancestors did the very same things to the prophets. But how terrible for you who are rich now; you have had your easy life! How terrible for you who are full now; you will go hungry! How terrible for you who laugh now; you will mourn and weep!” (Luke 6:20-25)

Lately great emphasis has been placed on the financial difficulties in the world. For the people whose life savings have been lost by the collapse of the stock market, the danger is that we will focus too much on money, riches, and wealth without thinking about true values in life.

The words of Jesus (above) remind us that true values are not measured by the size of our bank account or the financial legacy we may leave behind, but true values are in the measure of a man or woman in their relationship with God and one another; that being Humility.

The thrust here is not an appeal for us to give away everything we have, go on welfare, reduce our calorie intake by half, stop laughing, and encourage people to reject us. Jesus gives no such command in this passage.

Rather, he is telling us .. his followers .. to accept our low state, because if we are less concerned about our economic security, our social acceptability, and our reputation, we will be happier then if we are obsessed with these things.

The focus of this passage is not on world hunger or poverty .. although Jesus felt deeply the plight of the underprivileged .. but on the individual disciples and their value system.

For us who are disciples of Jesus, we need to appreciate our modest circumstances and place our value on the kingdom quality that is humility. The apostle Peter tells us in his first letter; “Humble yourselves, then, under God's mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time. Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you. “ (1Peter 5:6-7)

I appreciate the fact that some of us are worried and concerned about the situation we face. The question is; what difference can you make in your situation?

If you can do something, then stop worrying, pray for wisdom and do it! If you cannot do something that will change your situation, then stop worrying and pray .. let the Lord care for you. Either way you will discover happiness.

Paul Weresch