As we hustle about the busy days of our lives; do we stop to sing the praises of God for all that we have? For those of us who do live in the United States of America, are we not blessed? Shouldn’t we take a moment to reflect and to praise God for all the blessings we have been given? This nation began with a group of people seeking religious freedom; not wanting to be told by a government how to worship God. Upon that foundation, this country fought and won its independence. One nation, under God with liberty and justice for all. Holding fast to those principles, we grew to be a nation admired and loved. Certainly, there were mistakes along the way; as there are when humans try to govern. Yet, part of our strength remained the undergirding of faith, which bred hope and love.
So, what happened? If I turn on the news; any news channel–turmoil, conflict, anger and distrust blares across the TV. The entertainment channels playing politically charged shows filled with subtle agenda. Even so-called comedy has morphed into cruel, vulgar satire. Yet, living in middle America; I refuse to believe that to be fully the truth or the majority. Certainly, I realize the evil nature within man’s regenerate heart; however, most of the people I meet in my daily encounters remain those who sincerely love God, family, and country. Yet, we allow the few to tell us we are wrong! Because the minority scream that we do not love others, we, the majority bow in silence, never standing up to say that grace–the gospel message remains one of love.
DOES COMPROMISE EQUAL LOVE?
I do not have to change my beliefs to love those who believe otherwise. Instead, because I stand firm upon the gospel; I can love you, no matter what! That does not mean, I accept all that you do or believe as truth. Instead, because of Grace; I love you right where you are; reaching out a hand to help. My strength to hold firm to what I believe allows me the grace to reach forth in love to anyone and everyone. That strength I find in Christ Jesus who gave His life for me, who loved me despite my unworthiness, and who never gave up on me. Because of His love for me, I can love you, forgive you and reach out to you with that same grace.
As a nation, we must not forget our roots. The first amendment never meant to keep Faith out of government; but, stood to keep government out of faith. That distinction we must remember.
THE STRENGTH TO LOVE
We, the Christians of this nation; must remember who we are based upon Grace Alone through faith in the shed blood of Christ. Our strength comes from God! We must keep our eyes, hearts and spirits focused on Him, because, we cannot be drawn into hopeless by all the noise around us.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40-30-31
HEED THE WARNING
We also must heed the warning and pray as did Solomon over his nation. Though, as we know they many times wandered away from God; yet, God remained always faithful to bring them again to himself when they turned to Him in prayer and repentance. So, let us today pray this prayer from I Kings.
Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us: That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.
And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the Lord, be nigh unto the Lord our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require: That all the people of the earth may know that the Lord is God, and that there is none else. Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day. I King 8:56-61
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
Others may demand that I lay aside my faith in order to display love; instead, let me show you my faith through my love. Because of God’s Grace; I cannot deny Him. To do so would cause my heart to fill with anger, fear, hopeless despair and hate. Rather my strength to love unconditionally only comes from my faith in Him, His promises and His strength to love within me.
CONCLUDING TWEETS:
[bctt tweet=”Others may ask I silence my faith to display love. Let me show you may faith through my love” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis]When I live my faith; the love of God will shine to others[/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”God is the strength, the love & the hope for this world; I pray He use me to show that through my life.” username=”effiedarlene”]
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
I just released this new book dedicated to anyone who searched for love, lost a loved one, or felt the pangs of loneliness. Illustrated by Ronald Barba, this poem I wrote: tells the story of God’s ever abiding love even when facing tragedy and heartbreak. Available on Amazon.
If you don’t know how to accept Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link, email me by clicking here or comment here
This is an original Drawing by an amazing artist. Check out his work: http://roninron.com .
You cannot copy or duplicate this picture without permission; because of copyright laws.
featured photograph at beginning of post by permission of https://unsplash.com/@samuelschneider
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.