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Life In The Body
News and Notes for the : Shelbyville
Church of Christ November 9, 2008 Pray and Accept God’s Decisions Is there anyone who won’t be glad this seemingly never-ending election season will finally be over ? It has been the longest and the most expensive one in American history. I’m writing this article the evening before the election so it won’t be effect by the outcome of the election. No matter who wins at least 40% of the electorate will be disappointed. The party that wins will be sure justice was served and the one which looses will be equally as sure that the true will of the people was thwarted, so in every way they can, they’ll start opposing the ones who were victorious. This is sad, but it’s becoming an established part of politics in America. To our shame we have an “It’s all about me.” society. However, as Christians we realize that it’s God All Mighty who actually rules on His earth. As old King Nebuchadnezzar learned in Daniel chapter 4, God is the one who puts the ruler of HIS choice on every throne and in our case, in congress or in the white house. Our vote gives us a chance to make a stand and we’ll be held accountable for the choice we make, whether it is for God or for our own personal interest. However, though we vote, it will be by God via His providence that the choice of our leaders will actually be made. God has His own motives for choosing the leaders he chooses at the times He chooses them. Sometimes God rewards a people with a leader who will lead them in His footsteps. Other times He gives them what they want, even though He knows it will ultimately work to their harm. Remember His instructions to the people of Israel when wanted a king. ( I Sam. 8 ) There are even times a bad leader is the instrument of God’s judgment on a people. Regardless of who God appoints to rule over us, when the election is past, we will again be given a choice, i.e., we will again be tested. Whether our candidate is elected or not, and whether our leader is a good one or not, Christians will submit to Him and obey his laws. (We understand that the law of God is the higher law so it must be obeyed in the case of a direct conflict.) At the time of the writing of the New Testament the Roman government had Christians in prison for no other crime than being a Christian. God knew that the great persecution was about to oppress the church in a major way, but Christians were instructed to be obedient to it in every way they could because it was appointed by God. ( Rom.13:1ff ) Why did God appoint a government in Rome which would slaughter so many of His people? No one knows and to speculate about such things is to rebel against God. ( Deut. 29:29 ) Ours is not to know why, just to accept, to trust God and to obey his word. As it was in the time of Rome, so it will be until the end of time, our faith is tested in the way we respond to that which we do not understand. Will God call America back to Him or will He facilitate our journey into judgment? ( II Thes. 2;11-12 ) No matter who wins, some will be convinced one way and some another, but regardless of what you think God’s appointee reflects, remember, just as our voting was a test, our submitting is also a test. In the military one learns that it doesn’t matter if the Lieutenant is worthy or not, one salutes the bars, not the man wearing them. Pray God will give us a good leader, but no matter what, Christians will respect and obey whoever God chooses no matter why He chose them. Our response reflects our faith. An Opportunity For Love The scriptures are very clear that Christians do good for other at every opportunity, especially when the opportunity is to help a brother. ( Gal. 6:10 ) In fact, we Christians are to be so zealous for good that we will be eager to meet pressing needs. ( Titus 3: 14 ) Reflecting this Godly attitude, our elders have recognized such a need when they learned of the circumstance of Dottie Daniels, Shawn’s mother. Therefore, they are about to send some financial assistance to help buy medicine for her. However, before they send it, they wanted to be sure to give any of you who desire to be a part of this outpouring of love an opportunity to do so. If you wish to add any amount to that which is being sent, please give it to Greg and he will be sure it is added. Food For The Holidays It’s that time of year when the temperatures go down, but hearts are warmed by the joy of the holiday season. God has so blessed us Americans with one of the highest standards of livings in the history of the world. We’ve become so spoiled by our riches that we easily become panicked when our economy slides to a point viewed as decadent luxury by most of the world. Even so, among us there live those who don’t share in the prosperity of the vast majority. Thus, we who have are morally responsible to care for those who have far less than we enjoy. In order to fulfill this responsibility, our elders have provided us with the food pantry as a collection point to collect food for the needy. Are you taking advantage of it? Don’t forget to bring in your contributions or good winter coats, gloves, etc Prayer List : Dottie Daniels is home from the hospital, but still has only 20% heart function. She is very weak and awaiting a heart transplant. ( She is the mother of Shawn, the preacher at Pana. )
Thank God !! We are so very thankful. Except for some colds, we have no new sick among us.
Those in need of ongoing special prayer : Clara Hopkins : C.O.P.D. and heart failure Kenny Hopkins : Mobility and heart issues John Robert Moore : Shelby Manor Rm. 100 Forrest and Louise Price : Age related maladies Don Reynolds : Mobility issues .. knee Earl Shumard : Age related maladies – very weak Harold Smith : Respiratory problems Today’s Scripture Reading : Romans
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