The history of man, people, as recorded in the Bible is one story after another where God provides people everything they need. People recognize what God has done for them for a short time, then turn away, falling for temptation, pride, and selfishness. God sends prophets to teach people and attempt to bring them back, but that ultimately fails and God is forced to take dramatic steps to remind people of his presence and power. This story is repeated in various forms in the Garden of Eden, the time of Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah, in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt, and many other times.

However, God used a different strategy once.

John 1:1-2 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” and in verse 14, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

The Word is Jesus who came not just to tell people about God’s presence and power, he is God and became a man. By sacrificing himself for us we may avoid the punishment we deserve for disobeying God.

This plan is so much different and as John writes in, John 1:17, “For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.”

The different plan is that God came to us out of love, as Jesus, to save us, rather than destroy and demonstrate his power and our failings. John 3:17 says, “God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”

Dear Lord, Thank you for the mercy you showed us by sending Jesus for our salvation. Help us cherish this amazing gift and maintain our love for and obedience to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

This is essentially the same devotion I sent eight years ago and 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, and may God Bless America. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today is Election Day in the U.S.A., and though many are anxious about the outcome, we know that our hope is not in that candidate, party or proposal, it is in our Lord Jesus.

Paul writes in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

And also in Romans 8:28 he writes, “and we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

Regardless of the results of this election, we know God has power over all and therefore we do not need to be anxious.

Dear Lord, on this Election Day we thank you for the amazing country and freedom with which we have been blessed. We pray for your hand of guidance and strength on the USA. Give us leaders that help advance your kingdom in this world, and protect us all from the destructive power of the evil one. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Many people wonder, “What about people who have not heard the Gospel?”

In Romans 1:19-20 Paul writes, “They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

The beauty, complexity, symmetry, and order of science and nature shout that there is a Creator. Once one recognizes this, wouldn’t he or she want to learn more?

In Matthew 7:7, Jesus says, “…..seek and ye shall find….” and in Jeremiah 29:13 God says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

We cannot know what happens to those who do not hear the Gospel message, but we know God loves us all and works on each of us to save us.

Dear Lord, you came to save us, and continue working to bring us all to you. Use us also to be the ones who help others find you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The book of Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon, King of Israel after David, who, when asked by God what he wanted, asked for wisdom, rather than riches or power. As a result, God granted him wisdom, riches, and power. In Ecclesiastes he writes about his search to understand what life is about, and the conclusions he reaches.

In chapter 3 he starts by describing how there are different seasons in life, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up….” and so on.

His conclusion in Ecclesiastes 3:11-13, he says, “Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.”

We will go through seasons in our lives, good times, difficult times, and we will not know what work God is doing in and through our lives during these periods. What we can know is that God is in control and has a reason, so as Solomon says, we should be happy and accept what life brings along, focusing on and enjoying the gifts God has given us.

Dear Lord, You have given us all so much to be thankful for. Help us reflect on these things, and live the seasons in our lives with happiness and enjoyment. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.