LAW ABIDING CITIZEN

Today's reading: Proverbs 28

"To reject the law is to praise the wicked; to obey the law is to fight them." Proverbs 28:4 NLT

In all the controversy as of late as to rights, how very important it is for us, as Christians, to be seen as law abiding citizens.

Oh, I'm not talking about bowing to immoral laws--although how we go about standing against them can also be done in a godly way.

I'm talking about the every day laws...

Driving the speed limit.

Obeying traffic signals and road signs.

Paying our taxes.

Praying for our leaders...yes it's a rule for us. We're told to do it in the Bible. No matter the party, the person or our own personal preferences.

Is the world seeing you as a law abiding citizen? Is God?

 

 THEME SONGS
Today's reading: Psalm 117-118

"Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the Lord has done mighty things!" Psalm 118:15 NLT

What song is still on your heart from Sunday's worship?

Is it an upbeat toe-tapper about your fears falling like Jericho's walls or a slower praise tune speaking thanks to God for being so, so good to you?

What words of encouragement are still pushing you forward from your time spent in small group or Sunday School class? Are you being lifted up by brothers and sisters in Christ with whom you have shared a struggle? Have you gotten that note, text or phone call letting you know your needs are being taken to the Father's ear?

How excited are you about mid-week prayer service or Bible study? Needing a booster halfway between Sundays?

I pray your soul is nourished in your home church. I desire that you are miles away spiritually from where you were six months or a year ago. I hope you know, from repeated sermons and time in the Word, that you are loved by a powerful God.

I can use today's word picture, to the extent I can smell the smoke of the campfire, to imagine how much we gain from camping out together in His presence.

If you aren't worshiping corporately, I pray God gives you that desire, allows you to see the need, lets you know how vital you are to some 'camp' in your area.

 BUT AS FOR US

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 11-15

"But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not abandoned him..." 2 Chronicles 13:10 NLT

Can you join me in saying those same words?

King Abijah, not a godly king, not at all short on sinful choices, not a devout follower of the One True God--knew 'where his kingly bread was buttered'.

He knew enough to not turn from God and the ordained ways. He knew about the covenant God had made with the people of Judah.

He knew his country, if they were to have any hope at all, needed God on their side and not against them.

That's where I took it personally.

No matter what the world is doing.

No matter what government decides.

No matter what the entertainment industry deems cool or tolerant.

No matter what those around me choose to do.

No matter how poorly I walk this Christian path.

No matter my past, despite the current situations, and with all I don't know about the future.

No matter what, the Lord is my God and I choose not to abandon Him!

 GOD DAYS

Today's reading: Numbers 29-32

"...You must call a solemn assembly of all the people on that day and no regular work may be done." Numbers 29:1 NLT

When you gathered to worship God yesterday, was it a chore?

Did you have to goad and prod yourself to do it?

To interact with brothers and sisters in Christ?

To make a joyful noise as the choir or band played?

Did you have to muster up the resolve to speak to Sister So-and-So or Brother Bothersome?

Did you stomp your feet and cross your arms when you arrived and found out you were scheduled to work in the nursery or with the children?

During the God appointed days spoken of in Numbers, God specifically told them not to do any regular work. The ordinary chores. The mundane tasks.

He asked that they gather to do praise work. 

Where ever their specific gifts led them to serve.

How ever their call was detailed.

To whom ever God asked them to minister.

All in honor of Him. Every single moment of it.

Should we treat our trips to our houses of worship any differently?

 WITH CONFIDENCE

Today's reading: Hebrews 5-7

"So God has given us both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence." Hebrews 6:18 NLT

If you have run to God for refuge, you can believe in His way and in His time, He will take care of you!

If you are His child, born again into His family through the saving blood of His Son Jesus, you have His promise.

And unlike anyone we know here on earth, His word is good.

Oh, so good!

 WONDER

Today's reading: Acts 1-2

"They were beside themselves with wonder. How can this be? they exclaimed..." Acts 2:7 NLT

You'll need to read a few verses before this one and a few verses after it in order to get the premise of what caught my eye.

Folks, skeptical folks if I were to guess, were beside themselves with wonder and they exclaimed that emotion.

At what?

Not the latest celerity crush.

Or the championship ball game scores.

Or having won the lottery.

They were amazed at what God did through the Holy Spirit.

He knocked their socks off. Made their jaws drop. Left them scratching their heads in thunderstruck awe.

Here's the most exciting part--He still does it today!

He stirs hearts to revival, He brings sinners to repentance, He moves mountains no one thought could ever move.

He still amazes. He still leaves us wondering how and why He would do that for us.

Watch for His work--we need something to be utterly impressed with this day and age!

 AS YOU HAVE DONE

Today's reading: Obadiah

"The day is near when I, the Lord, will judge the godless nations! As you have done to Israel, so it will be done to you. All your evil deeds will fall back on your own heads." Obadiah verse 15 NLT

While the reading today has us finding out what God spoke to the land of Edom, I believe we can also find ourselves--our country--being addressed as well.

Watch our nation's stance on Israel.

Our backing and supporting of God's land.

The drawing we have to pray for the Promised Land and the held-close-to-His-heart people.

After all, what we do to/for them will be done to/for us.

 HOME

Today's reading: Proverbs 26-27

"A person who strays from home is like a bird that strays from its nest." Proverbs 27:8 NLT

Dorothy Gayle said it over and over, but it's true...There's no place like home.

If you've ever been away from home for any length of time, you have I'm sure, had the desire to click your ruby red slippers and be transported back to where you are comfortable, at ease, welcome and settled.

As Christians, this world is not our home. It's our mission field. It's our classroom. It's our launch pad. It's our current address, but it is not our home.

So if you feel unsettled, it's because you're waiting to be back home.

With God.

Where there are no diseases. No death. No night. No controversy. No division. No sin. A place of radiating beauty. Crystal seas. Streets of gold. And our Father is there!

Every breath brings us one step closer to home.

 IDOLS

Today's reading: Psalm 114-116

"Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They cannot talk, though they have mouths, or see, though they have eyes! They cannot hear with their ears, or smell with their noses, or feel with their hands, or walk with their feet, or utter sounds with their throats! And those who make them are just like them, as are all who trust in them." Psalm 115:4-8 NLT

Maybe your local Chinese restaurant has one, too The jade-like, cross-legged, couch-potato belly, bald-headed Buddha.

I have to admit, he is almost comical. As a girl from the 70's, he for most appearances, reminds me of Boss Hogg from the Dukes of Hazzard.

If only, and I truly mean if only, every idol would be so easily spotted. So quickly recognized. So quickly rendered inept at attempting to fill a spot made for God alone. So quickly placed up next to God and found lacking.

HIS REASONS

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 6-10

"Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT

We have heard the verse.

We have prayed the verse over our land.

We have truly intended to receive what He promises us in this verse.

But have we stopped long enough, studied hard enough, looked beyond the promise to His purpose?

It's found in the verse right before this one...

"At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or I might command locusts to devour your crops, or I might send plagues among you." 2 Chronicles 7:13 NLT

There is a reason for verse 14 and that reason is we have sinned. Wandered. Taken to a path other than the one He has laid out for us to travel. Diverted our attention from off of Him. Turned to the help of idols. Allowed our doubts to override our faith. 

And in discipline He desires to draw us back.

He wants us to see where we have strayed and why it is not the best for ones called by His name.

He wants us to remember who He is.

To call out to Him.

To turn our backs on anything but Him.

And if it takes dry seasons, devouring locusts and plagues to do that, He is willing--because He loves us so much!

 PASSIONATE ZEAL

Today's reading: Numbers 25-28

"Then the Lord said to Moses, Phenehas son of Eleazar and grandson of the priest has turned my anger away from the Israelites by displaying passionate zeal among them on my behalf. So I have stopped destroying all Israel as I had intended to do in my anger." Numbers 26:10-11 NLT

You can read the preceding verses to find out what exactly Phenehas did to stop the killing plague, but I suggest you read even further to see what brought the plague on. Take note of the one single rule of God that had been broken--to have no other gods before Him.

It took a man being so stirred by God, so righteous in his anger, so passionate for God himself to stop the sin before it took root any deeper in the camp of the Israelites.

I don't know about you, but I want that kind of zeal.

The kind that makes me get up and do something.

Or in regards to my own life, to stop what needs stopping.

To live a life so close to God that I know what He would have me do--in regards to keeping Him first in my heart, in my family, in my church, in my portion of the world.

 BE CAREFUL

Today's reading: Hebrews 1-4

"Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God." Hebrews 3:12 NLT

Do you remember the children's song...

Oh, be careful little eyes what you see...

Oh, be careful little feet where you go...

Oh, be careful little ears what you hear...

The song was elementary, but the message was deep. 

Before we can pray for anyone, ask God's conviction on any unsaved friends, seek His will in any decision or choice we're called upon to make--we have to make sure our hearts are right.

No one else's but our own.

What sins are we hiding?

What doubt is taking root in our hearts?

Where in our lives are we veering away from God's path, from God's will, from God's presence?

 WHO ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

Today's reading: John 19-21

"She glanced over her shoulder and saw someone standing behind her. It was Jesus, but she didn't recognize him. Why are you crying? Jesus asked her. Who are you looking for?.." John 20:14-15 NLT

It happens to us all, not fully recognizing someone in a place you would never expect to see them or at a time you know they shouldn't be there.

There is that moment in time when you don't 'see' them.

It's a crying shame it happens too often in the life of Jesus followers.

We don't expect to see His hand work in any way other than the way we have prescribed Him in prayer.

Or we don't recognize His part in a circumstance because it's too trivial or too silly.

Or it's at times a matter of not seeing Him in small glimmers of hope He sprinkles in our day.

Even worse, we don't always see Him in answers to prayer, the very answers we have asked Him for

Either way, I can hear Him asking me--fill in your own name if it applies--Who are you looking for?

 THE LORD IS HIS NAME
Today's reading: Amos 5-9

"It is the Lord who created the stars, the Pleiades and Orion. It is he who turns darkness into morning and day into night. It is he who draws up water from the oceans and pours it down as rain on the land. The Lord is his name!" Amos 5:8 NLT

We have had some beautiful September days here in southern Illinois.

The bluest skies.

The as-close-to-perfect-as-one-might-have-this-side-of-heaven temperatures.

The most lovely breezes.

And, my favorite, the clearest night skies!

My husband and I were discussing just last night the brightness of the stars, the closeness of them and the difference between twinkling stars and bright planets.

The reason for all this loveliness is not the distance of the sun from the equator or the place we are on the autumnal equinox calendar. It's all to do with God.

His creativity. His organization. His engineering. His sustaining power. His blessing. Only One deserves the praise for all this September wonder--the Lord is His name!

The Lord is his name!

 THE KING

Today's reading: Proverbs 25

"No one can discover the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king's mind." Proverbs 25:3 NLT

If I may take liberties with the punctuation in this verse.

Not to take away from it or to add anything to it--who am I do even think I could do such a thing.

But to put another set of lenses on our Bible-reading eyes.

What if this verse looked like this:

No one can discover the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the King's mind.

With that one simple capitalization, the focus completely leaves the head knowledge of wise Solomon as described by his advisers, into the realm of our reigning Lord and King.

There is no limit to what we can learn from God, about God, with God, for God.

We cannot begin to question His motives, His ways, His means--because in doing so it only opens more doors and more facets of His loving, just, grace-filled nature.

There is truly no discovering the boundaries of God, there is only appreciating them, leaning on them and learning from them.

The intrigue draws us ever so close to Him.

 THEY

Today's reading: Psalm 111-113

"...They are generous, compassionate and righteous." Psalm 112:4 NLT

Have 'they' ever been referenced to you or used in your own arguments?

In our teen years, 'they' got to do all the stuff your parents wouldn't allow you to do. Go to the movies on a school night, stay up past midnight, go uptown with all your friends.

In our early adulthood, 'they' got the fellas, the good jobs and the fancy new cars, while you didn't. 'They' seemed to have all the good luck.

In our adult life, 'they' make the news, 'they' change the policy in our government, 'they' always reach potential you never reach, 'they' get a whole lot of credit for a faceless group of individuals most of us never meet.

But in this passage, we are 'they', if you are a believer in Jesus Christ. It tells us this in verse 1.

Are others referring to you as a generous, compassionate and righteous individual?

Are others noticing a difference in you that the oft spoken of 'they' seem to lack?

 READY

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 1-5

"...All the priests who were present had purified themselves, whether or not they were on duty that day." 2 Chronicles 5:11 NLT

This portion of this very verse has my heart pounding, my head spinning, my senses on alert and my ears wide open to God's speaking this morning.

Am I always ready to do God's work?

Always purified and prayed up?

Ready, at a moment's notice, to step in where He needs me to serve?

It doesn't matter if it's my turn to serve, my day to be on call, my preferred area of ministry-or even in my own church.

Am I ready? Am I prepared, heart, mind and soul, to do the Lord's work?

God places opportunities before me without notice. He puts people in my path. He opens doors for me to walk through and into conversations about Him.

Am I ready when those times come?

 TALKING DONKEYS

Today's reading: Numbers 21-24

"Then the Lord caused the donkey to speak..." Numbers 22:28 NLT

I don't know about you, but I am often flabbergasted by the movement of God's hand.

Not that He moves, because He promises to do it.

Not even His timing, because to Him there is only His time.

But how He chooses to do a work.

To the amazement of men and women.

To the point at which there is no doubt as to it being Him.

With a flourish of His signature--or with the quiet falling apart of what had been building in the shadows.

His ways astound me.

Who He chooses to work through.

The circumstances He sets in place.

The peace that He showers us with through His moving.

A talking donkey is surely a rare occurrence in the history of mankind, but God's work is not if we just choose to look for it!

 PRAYING IN HOPE

Today's reading: Philemon

"Please keep a guest room ready for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return soon." Philemon verse 22

Funny truth: I cannot read this verse without my mind going to the Motel 6 radio ad starring Chris Bodet. His closing remarks for those ads always stated, We'll leave the light on for you.

I think that's what Paul is asking Philemon to do for him.

Keeping a guest room ready was a mental picture for Paul, while he was in prison for preaching. But it was also a great task to give to Philemon, to put feet to his prayers.

Maybe we should be doing the same with our prayers.

Leaving the light on for a prodigal.

A seat open beside us in the pew.

Purchase those gifts.

Set place settings at the table.

Planning on the circle being unbroken when we get to heaven.

Just some ideas of putting in action what we are praying for.

Because if we're not praying in hope, believing our prayers are heard, coming alongside God in His will in each of our prayers, then why are we praying in the first place?

 RED WRITINGS

Today's reading: John 16-18

"O righteous Father, the world doesn't know you, but I do..." John 17:25 NLT

I won't be so bold as to know on a theological level just what Jesus was feeling when He spoke these words, but as a fellow world-inhabitor...I get what He is saying.

I've had to say those same words to myself, and in prayer, on many occasions.

Because this world is a tough place to live.

It's a hard environment to be Christ-like in.

It's, as beautiful as He created it, dirty and dark and infected with sin.

So, in several circumstances and in regards to several dealings with some of His created ones, I've had to say it to myself...

God, the world doesn't know You, but I do.

In regards to some of the things I'm living and hurting through, I've had to repeat...

God, the world doesn't know You, but I do.

To my enemy's tempting suggestions to just throw in the towel and give up all hope, I've had to stand up and shout...

I know You, God!

And what I know about Him is this: He can be trusted! 

 I WILL NOT FORGET

Today's reading: Amos 1-4

"This is what the Lord says: The people of Damascus have sinned again and again, and I will not forget it." Amos 1:3 NLT

This same verse is repeated another seven times in the first and second chapters of Amos, but with different cities mentioned.

Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, Moab, Judah and Israel are all mentioned in separate places for their sins against God.

And the verses that follow? Those verse are the warnings of upcoming punishment. From the hand of God. For their disobedience. By their own choosing. In order to show them His power and might.

One could get 'hung up' on the disciplinarian side of God after reading a portion of Scripture like this.

One might believe that because God 'will not forget', these places have no hope, no glimmer of help or rescue in their futures. That they are forever doomed to be on God's naughty list.

It's true God does not forget. Ever. But in knowing that, we must also know that once you come to Him--in repentance, with a seeking heart, in order to be made right with Him--He doesn't forget that either!

For me, that means on my worst days of living for Him, He still remembers when I asked Him to be my Savior at a small country church's altar!

It means He remembers that I am the frail, weak, as-human-as-human-can-get creation He made!

He also remembers my prayers each morning to Him. For His guidance through the day. With each person I meet. That I live in glory and honor of Him!

He will never forget.

That's comforting and reassuring, not foreboding and anxiety-provoking.

 WISE

Today's reading: Proverbs 23-24

"My child, how I will rejoice if you become wise. Yes, my heart will thrill when you speak what is right and just." Proverbs 23:15-16 NLT

In our finite minds, attaching a human emotion like pride, to God is a little hard to do. At least it is for me.

But imagine Him beaming with pride as we become more and more wise with each turn of the page of our Bibles.

Not more street smart.

Or informed.

Or savvy to the world's charms.

But wise--being able to use the knowledge we have acquired to change our lives, to make us more like Jesus.

Saying what's right.

Doing what's honoring.

Thinking what's holy.

Portraying Whose we are!

 GOD'S SIGNATURE

Today's reading: Psalm 108-110

"Let them see that this is your doing, that you yourself have done it, Lord." Psalm 109:27 NLT

I have an earnest prayer request. One that God hears about daily, sometimes several times in one day. One that rises from the pit of my stomach, effects all areas of my heart and fills my head with an evenly distributed amount of fear and faith--if that can happen.

It's one that when it is answered, I want God's name, His fingerprints, His will and His ways all over it. His signature, really.

Like an artist signing a canvas. A masterpiece created.

And to tell you the truth, I want it answered RIGHT NOW. But that's the 'me holding the paintbrush' talking.

Because if I have it happen on my time...

In my way...

To the specifications I would prefer...

In the order I'd like to see it happen...

Well, then I've taken the brush out of God's hand and am wielding it unskillfully--and the work done will have my signature on it, not His.

So, I repeat the prayer David prayed today:

Lord, Let the world see that this is Your doing, that You Yourself have done it, Lord!

 PRAISE HIM
Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 25-29

"David and the army commanders then appointed men from the families of Asaph, Heman and Jedutha to proclaim God's messages to the accompaniment of the lyres, harps and cymbals..." 1 Chronicles 25:1 NLT

Imagine being appointed to such a praise team!

The honor. The esteem. The responsibility. The all-eyes-on-you feeling.

It was daily work. Yes, one might call it work. Work for the Lord. 

Because some days I truly believe Asaph, Heman and Jedutha didn't get up feeling 'worshipful'. They didn't 'rise and shine' every single day. I won't be foolish enough to think their lives were perfect enough to assume every day it was a 'given' that praise came naturally off their lips and into their service to God and His people.

But they were asked to do it. Commanded, really.

Not because of their circumstances or their feelings or the sunshine or rainclouds of any given day...but simply because God deserved the praise!

He still does.

Every day.

By those appointed to praise Him--and lead others in praising Him.

Like us.

"Let everything that lives sing praises to the Lord!" Psalm 150:6 NLT

 OFFENSES

Today's reading: Numbers 17-20

"The Lord now said to Aaron: You, your sons, and your relatives from the tribe of Levi will be held responsible for any offenses related to the sanctuary. But you and your sons alone will be held liable for violations connected with the priesthood." Numbers 18:1 NLT

I've chatted with a friend this week who has been hurt by the church and folks in it.

Unkind words were said. Sandpaper was used where there was already raw emotions--on both sides of the conversation.

Offense was taken, and probably will never be forgotten. Or possibly forgiven.

If only Aaron and his relatives were here to take the 'blame' for these wounded hearts.

But he is not and they are not, so Christian brothers and sisters, we must accept full responsibility.

For unkind words.

For misguided accusations.

For unsolicited advice.

For condemnation which has no place.

For evaluating circumstances for which we don't have full details.

For spreading information in the form of prayer requests.

For attempting to play the role of Holy Spirit in the lives of those we see sinning.

For doing anything but loving others--no matter their choices, their actions or their sins.

It's time the church of God evaluates their work in the world to see if we are doing more harm than good, preaching more hate than Gospel, more opinion than Jesus.

 BIRTHDAYS

Today's reading: Titus

"Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that is appropriate for someone serving the Lord..." Titus 2:3 NLT

I used to think this verse was for another generation of believers, until my last birthday. And now? Well, now I believe it's me it's speaking to!

But, as I heard a speaker talking this week, age has less to do with how many birthdays you have had and more to do with how many birthdays you have left.

Case in point...

If you are 50 and only have 5 more birthday to celebrate here on this earth, then you are old.

If you are 50 and will get to blow out candles for another 40 more years, then you are really quite young.

That gives me a new set of lenses to view today's verse through.

I don't know how many more birthday cakes I'll be allowed to eat--so I need to consider how important it is to live appropriately for the Lord every day! Every single day, whether today is one in another fifty years of living or my last day here on earth.

You do, too.

 EVEN AS

Today's reading: John 13-15

"I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love." John 15:9 NLT

I don't know if you've noticed it or not, but we live on the 'Island of Misfit Toys'...And before you think you are the only sane one, well, you are here for a reason, too!

The 'dysfunctional' label  can be attached to just about any and every family on earth today. Whether it be in what the family keeps under wraps, how it chooses to cope, what all it does to keep from imploding or how it airs its dirty laundry.

So this verse gives me hope!

Jesus loved, and died, for me based on the love He was shown by his Father. God.

Jesus loved us as God loved Him.

What better example could there be?

Perfect love.

Unmarred.

Unchanging.

Sacrificial.

 MY PEOPLE

Today's reading: Joel

"Don't be afraid, my people! Be glad now and rejoice because the Lord has done great things." Joel 2:21 NLT

Joel tells us to not fear.

Us, his fellow believers.

We, the members of the family of God.

Those words are not being spoken to those outside the faith. It's not being said to those who are taking their chances with their own strength, luck or depending upon the power and might of those in charge.

So if your faith is in God...

In the One True God...

The same God who created us and all we see...

Provided his Only Son for our sacrifice...

Adopted you into His family...

Pardoned and cleansed your every sin...

Remains King, Great Shepherd, Captain of the armies of angels, Friend and Sustainer...

We need not fear!

 HARVEST

Today's reading: Proverbs 22

"Those who plant seeds of injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will end." Proverbs 22:8 NLT

Harvest. It's the theme of the year.

The corn is beginning to dry and wither. The ears on the stalks starting to lose their moisture and prepare to be gathered and stored for their purpose, whether it be seed for the next year or to be ground into meal.

As I drive to work each morning, I can see the progression of the season in the fields I pass. 

I guess 'harvest' is also the theme God has chosen for me to hear this week as well. Here is the verse from Sunday's lesson that has stayed with me all week...

"I said, Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of my love..." Hosea 10:12 NLT

Neither the farmer, nor myself in regards to our tiny, now weed covered garden, would ever expect to harvest anything other than what we had planted in it.

If corn is planted, one doesn't expect to harvest beans.

If tomatoes are planted, one won't expect to find okra underneath all the weeds!

So it makes me pause to think about what I am 'expecting to harvest' in regards to what I am 'planting'.

Have I planted good or evil?

Truth or lies?

Faith or doubt?

And what am I expecting to harvest? 

 JOSEPHS

Today's reading: Psalm 105-107

"Until the time came to fulfill his word, the Lord tested Joseph's character. Then Pharoah sent for him and set him free; the ruler of the nation opened his prison door. Joseph was put in charge of all the king's household; he became ruler over all the king's possessions. He could instruct the king's aides as he pleased and teach the king's advisers." Psalm 105:20-22 NLT

I'm believing, and it's hard some days, that God has a modern day Joseph positioned somewhere in Washington DC, that will at the appointed time bend the ear of our magistrates and turn their hearts back toward God.

I'm trusting that there are men and women of God in our congressional and representational houses.

I'm sure there are saved and born again believers holding offices.

As sure as God placed 'Josephs' in Pharoah's court for a specific time and day, I believe He can, and has, done it for us.

I'm praying for those unnamed missionaries.

I'm asking God to strengthen those unknown soldiers in a raging war.

I'm trusting in the One who places men in power to know what He is doing.