MISPLACED VALUES

There has been much in the news for the last several weeks about the current economic crisis. People are losing their jobs, their investments and pensions, and their homes. Some are losing their hope. I think part of the problem is we have misplaced values. We need to realize there are some things that are worth much more than other things. We need to find out what the more valuable things are and place our focus on these things. I am not suggesting that we totally ignore the financial situation and bury our heads in the sand, but we do need to get our priorities straight. Because sometimes the things that are really worth the least are more precious in the hearts of men.

In Isaiah 5:20, we have this reading: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” It is tragic when men confuse themselves as to what is good and what is bad. The prophet said they call evil good; and they call good evil. They exalted the worthless and degrading; and belittled things were good. If this seems strange, only recall that this is the common course of mankind. For instance, money and material goods have become the great goal of many lives; while virtue and spirituality are forgotten. Our nation is more concerned with the economy than Jesus Christ and His treasures.

Jesus told a parable about a man who prepared a great feast and invited many. He sent his servant to bid them saying, “Come, for all things are now ready.” “But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’19 “And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’20 “Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come” (Luke 14:18-20). These men had a great opportunity; but they were more interested in other things. We have many opportunities to enjoy the blessings of Christ and His kingdom, but often pass them by in the pursuit of the temporal and unimportant. It is true that life requires attention to business, home, and so on; but such things should be secondary.

What are we talking about? We are talking about a mother that is anxious for her daughter to be a social success; but is not concerned about her spiritual success. We are talking about a father that spends thousands of dollars to get his son through college, but never took him to Sunday school. We are talking about the way men and women will devote themselves to business, to a profession, to home, and a host of other things; but who give the service of God and the salvation of their own soul only passing attention.

When your life and mine draws to a close, only one thing will really matter. All the rest will mean nothing. Only what is done for Christ will make any difference.
--Lamar

THE ELECTIONS ARE OVER

Except for a few races that will be decided in run-off elections, our government leaders have been chosen. It seems like some candidates have been campaigning since the last election ended, so I am certainly glad that part is over. Some of the candidates I supported and voted for won and some did not. The same is probably true for you. That is okay. I am reminded of the words of the apostle Paul in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” In the church today, there is neither Democrat, nor Republican, nor Libertarian, nor Independent. We are all one in Christ. As we look to the assumption of power for our new officials, there are some things we can do for them.

Pray. “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). He tells us in Romans 13 that the authorities are appointed by God and we are to be subject to them. This is the case whether my candidate won or not. James tells us, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). We can pray for our leaders to have wisdom, to govern in a godly manner, to work for peace in our country and the world. We can also pray for their hearts to be changed in those areas where they are in conflict with God’s word. Yes, indeed, pray for our leaders.

Support. Even if you did not vote for the eventual winner in a race, you can still give that person your support when he/she is promoting ideas and laws that are good and right. Many states are dealing with the issue of same sex marriage. Any government official who is opposing such will have my full support on that issue. The same is true for any who oppose abortion, euthanasia/assisted suicide, and other such moral issues. These matters of morality are really the key issues. What should be done about the economic crisis? Iraq? Terrorism? Illegal immigration? There may be many possible solutions to these problems. However, with the problem of atheism, humanism, and immorality, there is only one solution: God. Anyone who will promote God, His word, and His way should have our support.

Oppose. On the other hand, when our officials are promoting things which are wrong we should speak out loud and clear in opposition. Our President elect and many others support abortion. They think Roe v Wade was the right decision and some want to broaden it even further. I can not and will not support anyone in his/her efforts to expand the “right” to destroy innocent human life. The same is true with other issues of morality (or the lack thereof). Thankfully, we live in a country where we have the freedom to speak out against such ungodliness, and we should use that freedom to the best of our ability.

In his inauguration speech, John F. Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” What can we do for our elected officials, whether local, state, or national? Pray, support, and oppose.
--Lamar