To Whom it is Due...

  As the election draws closer, I cant help but remember how many Evangelical Christians that I knew, didnt vote in the last election. Their reason was based on the side of, "Well, I dont like either one of the candidates so I am just not going to vote! That kinda is voting in a way, right?" Wrong...
The statistics show that 41% of the US population claims to be part of the evangelical church...the statistics also showed that only 26% of the votes cast in the 2008 elections, were by evangelical Christians. There is a problem...this means that nearly 40% of Christians did not vote in 2008.
  What does God say about that? Is it wrong NOT to vote? I believe that it is wrong.
Look at Matthew 22:21b. Jesus said, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." There is a principle here that He wants us to see. So obviously we dont live in the Roman Empire, so the question is, who is Caesar? Who do I owe something to in this society? And what do I owe? If you understand the Declaration of Independence, you will remember that the opening line is, "We the people..." It wasnt "I George Washington..." nor "I Ben Franklin..." or even "We the Congress...". It was "We the people...". The people were established as the authority. Basically, when King George of England heard of the "revolution" in the Colonies had begun, he asked who was responsible...the reply? "We the people, in order to form a more perfect union...".
The people in America were established as the authority from the very beginning...the people are the Caesar. We vote, and by that, we decide who is put into office (put simply). So, we know who Caesar is in America. It is me and you...the citizens..."the people".
  As it is the king's duty to protect his people, to govern wisely, to lead them, so is it our duty to each other. It is your duty to me, to vote. Likewise, it is my duty to you to vote. "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's..." If you as a Christian (or as a citizen) do not vote, and an evil man gets into office, then you have allowed it by default. Your silence has condemned you and your fellow citizens (God forbid), to alot of suffering possibly. What I am talking about was displayed openly in 2008. Had that 40% of Christians voted, the outcome would have been different. We would have been spared alot of headache. Maybe spared as a nation. Nobody knows. That 40% of votes in this years election may well prove the difference between hell on earth for the next four years, or a gradual turn toward the right. Vote people...it is your duty to your fellow citizens, your children, your children' children...etc.
  What is God's? What are we commanded to give to God? A clear concience in all of this. Do not vote for those who want to destroy Godly principles. I know that I am probably going to get some serious hammering from the covenanter group who calls Romney an "evil man." But I do not care, I have prayed about it. My conscience is clear before God here. I wont be moved. I already voted.

God bless you all, do your duty, Christians.

Josh

Give Us the Power...

Today was Starved Rock Day here at IBLP HQ. It really was a great time with my amazing friends that I have come to get to know over my time here at HQ. They are so much fun. We drank energy drinks on the way down, had a sorta staff meeting there, ate a huge Southern meal of fried chicken, played football (not the best idea in the world right after lunch), then had plenty of time to think on the drive back. Was a fun day.

But during the day, Dr. Fredrickson prayed a prayer that I have been thinking about all this evening. He said, "...Lord, give us the power to be more effective for Your glory." Wow...Something in me said, "Yes Lord, thats what I need!" I know that I am nothing, that I am so small, that nothing about me is good...I am reminded that the only true smile that I can wear, and the only time I have the ability to love others is when He gives me the power to do so. Without Him, I can do nothing. I want only Him to shine through me.  I want the world to know the truth. The truth of the matter is, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him," in the words of John Piper. Very true.

So I prayed that He would show His power in me however He saw fit. Then walking to my house, I met a friend along the way. I stopped, and we talked for awhile...seeing that it might be the last time I ever see him again. He has been really down due to some circumstances and the Lord just put the words in my mouth to encourage him. God so showed His power to me. I was really humbled that God even answers my prayers (sometimes quickly) much less hears them! So many take that for granted...
I was encouraged to see the work that God has been doing in his life. But what really shocked me was, as we parted he told me, "You know, I was actually praying that i would get to see you one last time, then I ran into you! I needed to talk to you." That was humbling again, God cares about such seemingly small things even like letting two friends meet...wow. So here i am thanking Him for the answered prayer. Then he said, "Thank you for your friendship. You are one of three people in this world that I have opened up to...thanks for letting God use you." Something in me like melted as God just said to me, "Before you ask of it, I know your needs...I am before all things and by me, all things consist." Folks, GOD IS BEFORE ALL THINGS!!! HE IS THE 'I AM THAT I AM'!!! Praise Him!

I am honestly speechless right now...amazed. He is so good to me. He knows how to make my day! :)
Thought I'd share that!

May the Lord give you the power to be more effective for His glory,

Josh