Tomorrow
Tuesday November 4 will have passed by the time you receive this letter. A billion dollars will have been spent. Someone will know that they are on the way to becoming the most challenged leader in the world. The election will be won, but the hard work will only be beginning.
Irene Crews, South Boston, Virginia, age 104 will have voted. She takes her voting religiously. In very good health she will walk right in, need no help to read the list, and will need no help to push the buttons or pull the lever. She believes strongly that living a clean and wholesome life and eating a tomato every day have been significant contributions to her long life and good health.
She has strong opinions about how she votes. Yet, if you were to go spend a day with her it is probable that politics would not be mentioned, unless you brought up the subject. There are other things that matter more to her.
She will talk about her family, her friends, how blessed she has been in her life, her local church and the work of the Lord around the world, and other matters like cooking and gardening.
The pundits can have their say. Whatever they do say Irene is not likely to hear it. She may prefer good music, a recorded sermon, or wholesome TV program. Added into her daily diet is the Bible and prayer.
Tuesday will come. Many will lose their jobs. For my sake I would not have a lot of pity if some of the reporters and pollsters had to get an honest job. They need hard work to clear their brains. They have woven webs of rumors and mistruths creating wounds that will make this election pivotal in history.
Tuesday will come. The world will not come to an end. I know this is true because of God's Word. I have sat and talked with Irene. She is confident that God is on His throne. Jesus will come soon, Irene believes...and I also believe. Jesus will come for His Church and time will tick on.
While we wait for Jesus we have a mandate. Jesus has commanded us to "occupy" until He comes (Luke 19). We have been charged to win the lost, baptize and make disciples. It is a divine command. We are not children out of class for recess. We are soldiers commissioned to war against forces of evil, to search out and rescue, and to strengthen others in the work of the Lord.
A fatal mistake for these times will be to think we can make our way without the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. The path is treacherous. The pitfalls and mine (also mind) bombs are uncountable. Satan and his demons have attempted to booby trap the path of every believer. Only by walking in the Spirit can we hope to be victorious.
A word to the wise: Do not travel alone. Do not try to make it outside a Body of believers. There is safety in a multitude of "godly" counselors. God did not make us to live alone. He did not design the Church for individuals to act out their selfishness. The Church is the Body. Jesus included us in His Body---the Church for our good and the blessing of the Church.
Another word to the wise: Do not live selfishly. The rich man came to the conclusion that life was all about him, that heaven owed him prosperity, and that he could of his own will tear down and build greater barns to store his "stuff". God called the rich man a "Fool". He died because God slew him for his selfishness. Those who follow Christ must have charitable hearts. Compassion is the heartbeat of those who have discovered Christ's love. In all your challenges be generous to God and to the poor. Godly charity God will honor.
Remember, tomorrow will come if you live. The question that remains is whether tomorrow you will have the peace of heart and joy of salvation that only comes from friendship in Jesus. If you know Jesus, rejoice. If you do not know Jesus, today is the day of salvation. Do not wait until tomorrow to give your heart to Jesus.
Pastor Bare
Proverbs 11:30b He who wins souls is wise ( NKJV).