Life may be challenging, but all Christians have many reasons to thankful always.

Colossians chapter one, verses 11 through 14, reminds us of a number of reasons to be thankful.

May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.  For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,  who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. (Colossians 1:11-14 NLT)

Reasons to be thankful:

May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father.

He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people,

• Christians will spend eternity in heaven.

who live in the light.

• Christians have been called out of the darkness of sin and death and live in God’s wonderful light.

For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 

• Christians have been rescued from Satan’s grasp and have been transferred into the Kingdom of God’s beloved son.

who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. (Colossians 1:11-14 NLT)

• The blood of Jesus freed believing sinners from slavery to sin. All the sins of Christians have been forgiven.

Always be joyful.

Never stop praying.

Be thankful in all circumstances,

for this is God’s will for you

who belong to Christ Jesus.

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT)

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The 2016 Elections are over (except for a few runoff elections in some states).

What do we do now?

We pray.

We voted; now we pray.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  (1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV)

Scripture clearly tells us to pray for those in “high positions”.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions,

We need to be praying for those who are already in office as well as those who will soon be starting their new positions.

What should we pray?

We can start by praying that our leaders live their lives in ways that are pleasing to the Lord.  If they are already Christians, we can pray that they seek God’s guidance in all aspects of their personal and political lives. If those in “high positions” are not Christians, we can pray for their salvation.  We can pray that they will repent of theirs sins and embrace the gospel.

“Ask God to help them” (to rule well).

Why do we pray for our leader?

So … that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Does God really want us to pray for our politicians?  Yes!

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

We want our leaders to be saved and we want them to know the truth and live their lives by the truths of scripture.

We are expected to honor the office of our current president.

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.  (Romans 13:1 NLT)

Remember:  Regardless of the outcome of this current election, or any election, it is crucial to know that our hope in not in Republicans, Democrats, or third party candidates.   Our hope is in the Lord.

Our hope is in the Lord.

³ Don’t put your confidence in powerful people;
there is no help for you there.
⁴ When they breathe their last, they return to the earth,
and all their plans die with them.
⁵ But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper,
whose hope is in the Lord their God.
⁶ He made heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them.
He keeps every promise forever. (Psalm 146:3-6 NLT)

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. (Psalm 39:7 ESV)

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.  He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. (Psalm 62:5-6 ESV)

 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:2 ESV)

Remember to pray for President Donald Trump.  Pray also for your local, state, and federal politicians.

What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord,
whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.
(Psalm 33:12 NLT)

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Be Sure to Cast Your Vote.

Everyone who is eligible to vote needs to vote in the November Elections. Voting is both a privilege and a responsibility.  When we cast our ballot we help determine who will be running the government of our country.

Why is it important to vote?

Scripture tells us that we are to be subject to the governing authorities.

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.  Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. (Romans 13:1-2 ESV)

Scripture also tells us that we are to pay our taxes (to finance the government).

Then the Pharisees …. sent their disciples to him (Jesus), saying, “…Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” …. Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:15-21 ESV)

We are to pray for our leaders.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (1Timothy 2:1-2 ESV)

We are to be subject to the governing authorities, help finance the government, and pray for our leaders. Certainly we should take part in the process that determines who will be running our government.

NOTE:  Regardless of the outcome of this current election, or any election, it is crucial to know that our hope in not in Republicans, Democrats, or third party candidates.   Our hope is in the Lord.

Our hope is in the Lord.

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. (Psalm 39:7 ESV)

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.  He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. (Psalm 62:5-6 ESV)

 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:2 ESV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5 ESV)

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! (Psalm 33:12 ESV)

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What are three things all Christians should be doing?

Three points. Short and to the point.

• Read and study your Bible daily.

No excuses!

You have easy access to truth.  (printed or electronic)

You need to know the truth.

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  (John 8:31-32 NLT)

• Practice Biblical principles.

² … you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life. ³ Listen closely, Israel, and be careful to obey. Then all will go well with you, and you will have many children in the land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.

⁴ “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. ⁵ And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. (Love God with every fiber of your being) 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. (Deuteronomy 6:2-6 NLT)

Commit to know and practice the Scripture

• Share Biblical principles with your children (and with others).

Repeat them (Biblical principles) again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.  (Deuteronomy 6:7 NLT)

 …. we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
about his power and his mighty wonders. …. 
So each generation should set its hope anew on God…  (Psalm 78:4 & 7 NLT)

Repeatedly share Biblical principles with your children (and with others).

Three points. Short and to the point.

• Read and study your Bible daily
• Practice Biblical principles
• Share Biblical principles with your children (and with others).

But be very careful to obey all the commands and the instructions that Moses gave to you. Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul.”  (Joshua 22:5 NLT)

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Are you going through tough times?  Are you feeling discouraged?  Does it seem like no one cares about you?

Don’t give up.  Cry out to God for help.

God hears the prayers of the righteous.

The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
…  (Psalm 34:17 NLT)

 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.  And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.  (1 John 5:14-15 NLT)

 But in my distress I cried out to the Lord;
yes, I prayed to my God for help.
He heard me from his sanctuary;
my cry to him reached his ears. (Psalm 18:6 NLT)

God rescues His people from their troubles.

In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
    he saved me from all my troubles.  (Psalm 34:6 NLT)

 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.  (Psalm 34:17 NLT)

God’s answers to prayers are often far beyond what we can imagine.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.  (Ephesians 3:20-21 NLT)

God answers our prayers for His glory.

You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.  (John 14:13 NLT)

 Then call on me when you are in trouble,
    and I will rescue you,
    and you will give me glory.”  (Psalm 50:15 NLT)

Are you going through some rough times?  Don’t hesitate asking God for help.

• God hears the prayers of the righteous.
• God rescues His people from their troubles.
• God’s answers to prayers are often far beyond what we can imagine.
• God answers our prayers for His glory.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7 NLT)

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If you have access to this blog, you have access to the Word of God. (www.biblegateway.com)  If you have access to the Word of God, you have access to the power of Scripture.

Make it a practice of yours’s to meditate on Scripture.  Fill your mind with Scripture.  Don’t allow your familiarity of the Scriptures to rob you of the power of scripture.  Don’t stop at just knowing Scripture, believe and practice Biblical principles.

Part Three

The Holy Spirit and Scripture

We can’t talk about the scriptures without talking about the Holy Spirit.  A Christian will have a far better understanding of the Scriptures than a non-Christian.  Christians have God’s Spirit living in them.  Think about the following points.

• The Holy Spirit lives in all believers.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.  (John 14:16 NLT)

 Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and God’s Spirit lives in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16 CEB)

• The Holy Spirit teaches us Biblical truths and reminds us of Biblical truths.

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.  (John 14:26 NLT)

•  The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.  (John 16:13 NLT)

•  The Holy Spirit gives us words to explain spiritual truths. (explain scriptures)

When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.   (1 Corinthians 2:13 NLT)

•  The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. The Holy Spirit prays for us.

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.  (Romans 8:26 (NLT)

The Holy Spirit and Scripture

• The Holy Spirit lives in all believers.
• The Holy Spirit teaches us Biblical truths and reminds us of Biblical truths.
• The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth.
• The Holy Spirit gives us words to explain spiritual truths. (explain scriptures)
• The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. The Holy Spirit prays for us.

Spending time reading the Bible is an important part of your day.  Allow the Holy Spirit to make your time in the Word a life changing experience.

For the word of God is alive and powerful … (Hebrews 4:12 NLT)

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If you have access to this blog, you have access to the Word of God. (www.biblegateway.com)  If you have access to the Word of God, you have access to the power of Scripture.

Make it a practice of yours’s to meditate on Scripture.  Fill your mind with Scripture.  Don’t allow your familiarity of the Scriptures to rob you of the power of scripture.  Don’t stop at just knowing Scripture, believe what it says.

Part Two

The Benefits of Knowing and Obeying the Scriptures

• The Scriptures are life changing!

The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.  (Psalm 19:7 NLT)

• The Scriptures can keep us from tripping up.

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.  (Psalm 119:105)

• The scriptures can keep us from sinning.

I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11 NLT)

• The Scriptures give us a solid foundation for everyday living.

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.  (Matthew 7:24 NLT)

• The truth of the Scriptures set us free from sin.

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  (John 8:31-32 NLT)

• The Scriptures can make us holy.

Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.  (John 17:17 NLT)

• Wholehearted commitment to the scriptures brings prosperity in all that we do.

Oh, the joys of those who do not
    follow the advice of the wicked,
    or stand around with sinners,
    or join in with mockers.
But they delight in the law of the Lord,
    meditating on it day and night.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
    bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
    and they prosper in all they do.  (Psalm 1:1-3 NLT)

The Benefits of Knowing and Obeying the Scriptures

• The Scriptures are life changing!
• The Scriptures can keep us from tripping up.
• The scriptures can keep us from sinning.
• The Scriptures give us a solid foundation for everyday living.
• The truth of the Scriptures set us free from sin.
• The Scriptures can make us holy.
• Wholehearted commitment to the scriptures brings prosperity in all that we do.

Why would you not want to know the Scriptures?  Why would you not want to practice Biblical principles?

The grass withers and the flowers fade,
but the word of our God stands forever.”
 (Isaiah 40:8 NLT)

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If you have access to this blog, you have access to the Word of God. (www.biblegateway.com)  If you have access to the Word of God, you have access to the power of Scripture.

Make it a practice of yours’s to meditate on Scripture.  Fill your mind with Scripture.  Don’t allow your familiarity of the Scriptures to rob you of the power of scripture.  Don’t stop at just knowing Scripture, believe and practice Biblical principles.

The Scriptures are powerful!

• All Scripture is inspired by God.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16:17 NLT)

All Scripture (Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21) is given to us by God.

Scripture is useful to teach us what is right and what is wrong.

Scripture corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

God uses Scripture to prepare and equip His people to do good work.

• The word of God is alive and powerful.

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.  (Hebrews 4:12 NLT)

The Word of God is alive and powerful.

The Word of God penetrates our innermost thoughts and desires.

The Word of God separates the spiritual from the flesh.

The Word of God tells us what comes from God and what comes from man.

The Word of God exposes shallow beliefs and false intentions.

The Word of God tells us what is right and what is wrong.

• The Scriptures will last forever.

The grass withers and the flowers fade,
but the word of our God stands forever.”

                                           (Isaiah 40:8 NLT)

Why would you not want to know the Scriptures?  Why would you not want to practice Biblical principles?

Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. (Matthew 24:35 NLT)

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September 11, 2001      9/11   911

As you think back to September 11, 2001 you may want to read Psalm 91:1….

My Refuge and My Fortress

¹ Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
² This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
³ For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
⁵ Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
⁶ Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
⁷ Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
⁸ Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.
⁹ If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
¹⁰ no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
¹¹ For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
¹² They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
¹³ You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
¹⁴ The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
¹⁵ When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
¹⁶ I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”  (Psalm 91 NLT)

As bad as things may appear at times, we do have a sovereign God who is always in control.

This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
(Psalm 91:2 NLT)

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Labor Day was created as a way to acknowledge and pay tribute to the workforce for all they have done to make our country prosperous and strong.

Remember:

• We were created to work.

 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work… (Exodus 20:9-10 ESV)

Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. (1 Thessalonians 4:11 NLT)

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received from us.  For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you.  We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you. We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow.  Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:6-10 NLT)

• We should be working for the Lord.

 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.  Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.  (Colossians 3:23-24 NLT)

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. (1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT)

And may the Lord our God show us his approval
and make our efforts successful.
Yes, make our efforts successful! (Psalm 90:17 NLT)

• Hard work is profitable.

 A hard worker has plenty of food,
but a person who chases fantasies has no sense. (Proverbs 12:11 NLT)

Work brings profit,
but mere talk leads to poverty! (Proverbs 14:23 NLT)

Work hard and become a leader;
be lazy and become a slave. (Proverbs 12:24 NLT)

• Our work should benefit others.

 You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me.  And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:34-35 NLT)

• We should find satisfaction in our work.

 And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God. (Ecclesiastes 3:13 NLT)

How joyful are those who fear the Lord—
all who follow his ways!
You will enjoy the fruit of your labor.
How joyful and prosperous you will be! (Psalm 128:1-2 NLT)

So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God.   For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him? (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 NLT)

 Summary:

• We were created to work.
• We should be working for the Lord.
• Hard work is profitable
• Our work should benefit others.
• We should find satisfaction in our work.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)

Happy Labor Day

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