Posted in Everyday News, Living in Today's World, Standing Firmly for Truth

Prayer NOT Politics

Recently I have spent a considerable amount of time reading, researching and studying the Word about this subject; in earnest prayer.  I am more than aware that I’m wading into deep water and some readers may be offended while others may even ridicule me, but oh well…  When my Lord Jesus and Heavenly Father urge me to write… I do so!   It matters not what any one person thinks of me.
With His grace, this is intended not to offend, but to promote a positive relationship with other members of the Body of Christ.  

I’m seeing a very startling trend across our country.  Many people believe that if we change from a liberal, Democratic president to a supposed conservative, Republican leader, our country is going to be fixed or is on the mend.  Nothing could be further from the actual truth.  I see some prominent Christian leaders  actively involved in political organizations that they believe will change this country.  I believe that is the WRONG path!   Here is why…

1 Thessalonians 5 gives us warnings, admonitions and commandments, which we need to read and heed: I pray as you read this chapter, that you do so asking the Holy Spirit’s discernment and for our Father’s leading through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.  For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.  For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.  So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.  For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.  But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.  For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.  And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.  See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.  Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  Do not quench the Spirit.  Do not despise prophecies,  but test everything; hold fast what is good.  Abstain from every form of evil.  Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.  Brothers, pray for us.  Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.  I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

 

Many conservative, Republican Christians daily are slamming our president, our new candidates for office and our Supreme Court.  To me it is a disgrace to the name of Jesus Christ.  They like to  use 2 Chronicles 7: 14 “ if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”  The land the LORD spoke of here was the promised land and the people His chosen people, the Jews.  I know this entire passage in 2 Chronicles and the entire Old Testament was written (as breathed out by God) for learning, correcting, instructing in right living and for doctrine.  I know that God never made a covenant with America!  Praying for the government is godly wisdom, but we have a much greater task— being obedient to our Lord Jesus commands and His example.

I  urge every one who reads this entire post to stop and asks the Lord…   “Is America going to be changed by politics or by the power of the Sovereign Creator and our Lord Jesus Christ?”  Yes I believe we are to represent out Savior and God above all else. Yes I believe in being involved in our communities. But I also believe God is the one who allows things that are for His eternal plan for mankind.  Blessings to all  ♥ Streim  (This was originally posted on August 12, 2012.  I have made some edits for several reasons.)

 
Posted in Living in Today's World, Photography, Time for Sharing, Trusting God

Tested With Forever Love

 This past Wednesday, I was hit by the enemy in a way unlike anything before.  I know the reason he was able to get past my shield of faith was partly due to my extreme weariness from my varied chronic medical conditions.

My oldest and my youngest daughters encouraged me in the Lord on the phone that evening for hours.  My girls repeated back to me what I’ve told them over the years, but to no avail.  I just went to bed and wept bitter tears of fear.  Why?  Because this jab by the enemy, allowed by our Father God to help me grow–like burning off the dross to purify the gold, hit me hard!   To shorten this… the very next morning the issue was resolved.  I giggle now-but it is no laughing matter when we fail to learn from our Father’s allowed tests.  As I praised our Lord Jesus and humbled myself before our Father in heaven as I was extremely saddened by my reaction to this obstacle.  I share this because sometimes we still struggle with the flesh we live in.  We forget, in moments of unexpected trials/troubles/events, who we are in Christ Jesus and that the Lord God Almighty is our Father.  ( rereading Romans 5 and 6 ).

promises2No matter what happens to me in this life… nothing will ever separate me from the love of God.  Standing on the solid Rock and claiming the promises of our Father and Lord Jesus.  Prayerfully… someone may need this today.  ♥ Streim

 

 

 

Posted in Living in Today's World, Praise and Worship, The Gospel, The Grace of God

Friday’s Message in Music

  The more time I am blessed to read/study God’s Holy Word; I realize His love, grace and mercy are endless; yet He is a Righteous Judge who keeps His promises.  Studying the OT prophets this is evident.  We are living in a time like no other and the need to share the true Gospel of Jesus Christ is so important.  2 Timothy 4:1-5I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” NKJV  Falling on my knees, weeping and thanking our God for His love, mercy and grace Streim