This is just a copy of an email that I sent out to my family and friends on Nov. 5, 2008. I was told that it helped others that were downhearted, like I was, with the outcome. If you agree, then you agree. If you don't, then I empathize with you. Be Blessed!
I pray that this finds you will and in good spirits. Last night as I sat on my bed, John McCain gave a very elegant, and respectful, concession speech. I will tell you that I was very upset that our President-elect is someone that does not hold to some of the same convictions that I find very important. With that said, you can imagine that I went to bed feeling very defeated.
This morning, I got up as usual and went about my normal routine. As my husband was leaving for work, he came to me and said, "You need to read Romans chapter 13." So, as I prepared the schoolwork for the children, I picked up my Bible and read Romans. Upon reading this, I was comforted by the words wrote by Paul. I would like to share them with you.
Romans 13:1-14 New Living Translation
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they well be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God's servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God's servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those in authority.
Owe nothing to anyone-except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God's law. For the commandments say, "You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet." These-and other such commandments- are summed up in this one commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God's law. This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than we first believed. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don't participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
I know that I am not alone in my thoughts and convictions. I have questioned, and been questioned, about what will become of our great nation. All I know is that I am first a citizen of the Kingdom of God, and then this world, not the other way around. I know that we are told that God works things to the good of those that believe. I believe that there IS a reason for this president. I have been asked, "What are we going to do?" and "What is going to happen to us and our families?" I have no answer for these questions. I am uncertain of what will happen. What I do know is that rather than speaking against our new leaders, and tearing them down, as people have done with the present administration, we need to build them up and PRAY for them and this STILL great nation.
As Christians, followers of Christ, we should ban together and join in prayer for President-elect Barrack Obama, Governor-Elect Bev Perdue (NC), and our other elected officials. My prayer is that we, Christians, will love these people, just as Christ loves us. That we can put aside our upsets and disappointments, and ban together to lift up our leaders in prayer, and by mouth. My mother told me growing up, "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything." I agree. If we can't find anything to say that is nice, then we should remain silent. Pray! Pray that our Heavenly Father will reveal himself to our governing authorities, that His convictions will become their convictions, and if our leaders are not true followers of Christ, that they will become so.
This morning, I got up as usual and went about my normal routine. As my husband was leaving for work, he came to me and said, "You need to read Romans chapter 13." So, as I prepared the schoolwork for the children, I picked up my Bible and read Romans. Upon reading this, I was comforted by the words wrote by Paul. I would like to share them with you.
Romans 13:1-14 New Living Translation
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they well be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God's servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God's servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those in authority.
Owe nothing to anyone-except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God's law. For the commandments say, "You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet." These-and other such commandments- are summed up in this one commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God's law. This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than we first believed. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don't participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
I know that I am not alone in my thoughts and convictions. I have questioned, and been questioned, about what will become of our great nation. All I know is that I am first a citizen of the Kingdom of God, and then this world, not the other way around. I know that we are told that God works things to the good of those that believe. I believe that there IS a reason for this president. I have been asked, "What are we going to do?" and "What is going to happen to us and our families?" I have no answer for these questions. I am uncertain of what will happen. What I do know is that rather than speaking against our new leaders, and tearing them down, as people have done with the present administration, we need to build them up and PRAY for them and this STILL great nation.
As Christians, followers of Christ, we should ban together and join in prayer for President-elect Barrack Obama, Governor-Elect Bev Perdue (NC), and our other elected officials. My prayer is that we, Christians, will love these people, just as Christ loves us. That we can put aside our upsets and disappointments, and ban together to lift up our leaders in prayer, and by mouth. My mother told me growing up, "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything." I agree. If we can't find anything to say that is nice, then we should remain silent. Pray! Pray that our Heavenly Father will reveal himself to our governing authorities, that His convictions will become their convictions, and if our leaders are not true followers of Christ, that they will become so.
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