You have probably seen movies, where one person wronged another and it started a “cold war” between them, where neither will talk to the other. Until they can put that bad experience behind them, they cannot complete some important objective that is critical to both of them. Ultimately it comes down to one of the characters apologizing, in order to become “right” with the other, and the other granting forgiveness.

This is the type of relationship man has with God. Paul writes in Romans 3:24,25, “..assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.”

People are in a “cold war” with God, separated from him until we believe that Jesus was raised by God from the dead. Jesus’ sacrifice for us, and our belief in him, makes us “right” with God, so that we can finish the story and live in and with God eternally.

Dear Lord, though it may seem to some that we have to do the work to become right with you. Really, you have done all the work already. We must only accept this righteousness you offer. Help us to accept your gift, and remember it regularly in prayer, reading scripture, attending church, and receiving your holy communion. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Worry is an interesting emotion. When we succumb to worry, we can worry about anything and everything, losing good things, bad things happening, what people think, that people don’t care, etc.

But worry doesn’t prevent problems in the future, it steals the joy from today.

When we worry, we are living the pain and discomfort of problems that will probably never occur.

Jesus said in Luke 12:25-26, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”

And In Matthew 6:28-32 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. ”

It is faith in what Jesus told us that allows us not to worry.

Dear Lord, give us the faith in your promises to protect us so that we do not need to worry. And Lord please bring Justice and Integrity to the US election process, for your Glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen

We have all probably seen the stories of great sports coaches, military leaders, and business executives who led their teams and players to great results and performance; Performance that they probably would not have had without that leader’s support and guidance. As a result, the leader and the players are recognized and awarded.

In a similar way, God has a plan for his creation and each of us have a part in that plan. God also wants us to do great things and succeed while we work our part in His plan.

Psalm 35:27 says, “Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.”

God wants you to be a great Teacher, Lawyer, Engineer, Pilot, Business person, Pastor, Student, Parent, or whatever your calling may be. We need to know and live with the confidence that when we put God’s will first He wants us to succeed.

Dear Lord, what confidence it gives us to know that when we have your will as our priority, you are supporting us and taking pleasure in our success. May our success bring you glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Yesterday I wrote about the important election in the USA and the likelyhood that roughly half of voters would be unhappy today because their candidate did not prevail. Well today it is probably more that half who are likely unhappy, because we don’t have a result, and the country will be arguing about the election for some time.

There were probably millions of people praying that their candidate would prevail on Election Day, and millions are praying today, along with me, for the integrity of the country we cherish.

I cannot imagine anyone would choose this course for the election and the country, but this is how God let it play out.

Isaiah writes in chapter 55:8,9, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

God is good, all the time. He is working in ways we cannot understand in this situation. Our job is to pray, praise and have faith in God’s love and power.

Dear Lord, we put our faith and trust in you amidst the confusion and evil in our world. Help us remember that your ways are higher than our ways, and remember that if we do what we can, you will do what we cannot. Bless us and bless America. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This is the same devotion I sent four years ago. I scheduled it to be sent before the results of the election were known. What I do know is that when the results are tallied, about half of the voters will not be happy with the result.

However, Paul tells us in Romans 13:1-2, “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 will be punished.”

As I was thinking about the implications of this, I thought about the conditions of the people during Paul’s time. They were governed by the dictator in Rome. The Romans considered the Emperor to be their God. Christians were persecuted, tortured and killed. However, eventually in 380 AD, Christianity was declared the official religion of the Roman Empire.

God is in control.

No matter who is elected in the USA, our responsibility is clearly provided in the Bible, and our hope is in the Lord.

Dear Lord, what peace it provides us to know that you have control over all things. As Christians, help us continue to follow your will, love our neighbors, and pray for our leaders, even if they are not our choice. In Jesus’ name. Amen.