Lest We Forget
October 11, 2010
by John ImlerJohn is an RVchurchesUSA Ambassador and author of It’s Never Too Late Forget what, you might ask me. This phrase is often used to encourage us to remember the
various challenges our country has gone through and the accompanying resiliency that has resulted in its citizens. That is certainly a good thing to remember; however, it is not what I have in mind.
As believers in God there are several other things the Bible admonishes us not to forget. Of course, we should never forget about God, His Word, and His commandments (Deut. 4:9, 23).
In Psalms 78:4 we read “we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.”
I recall a story of an individual being shown around heaven. In one room he saw people as far as he could see who were working as fast as they could to handle prayer requests. In another room he saw one individual reading a book with their feet up on a desk. When he asked what this person was doing, the angel indicated this was where all thanks for answered prayers were received.
As I read through the Old Testament, I notice that the Children of Israel were derelict in their duty to do as the Psalms promised. They were quick to complain at every new circumstance failing to recall God’s faithfulness in delivering them (answering their prayers) when they turned to Him and failing to remember or thank Him for those past “praiseworthy deeds.”
It occurred to me that I am so often guilty of the same sin. When I receive an answer to my prayers, too often I say a quick Thank You and then go on my merry way. We may start our prayers with a short summary of things we are thankful for, but often we do not hold all of His “praiseworthy deeds” in our memory for long.
When I turned my back and walked away from God (www.faithrescued.com ), it was because I doubted His promises and forgot the many reasons I had to trust Him and to remember His “praiseworthy deeds.” While shortness of memory is often attributed to aging, it is one of Satan’s schemes that we are warned about in 2 Cor. 2:11.
As believers we are asked to walk by faith. That faith is not only based on God’s promises to us but also on His faithfulness in keeping those promises “to answer us when we call upon Him” (Jer. 33: 2-3).
So, let us not forget to be believers who are “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 5:20). Perhaps starting a journal of answers to prayer might be helpful.
John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.com
The Christian Vote
October 11, 2010
by Dountonia S. Slack as appeared on BellaOnline
a contributing author on RVchurchesUSA
Christian. Therefore, we are apart of a different culture; called to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16); and, value what Christ values as it is spelled out in the Word of God.
However, when it comes to exercising good citizenship, while we sojourn on this earth, we have a tendency to make decisions based upon standards other than the biblical standard we claim allegiance. In the voting booth, especially, we exercise our “rights,” follow familial voting patterns, or make our selections based upon media sound bytes without taking the time to research who the candidates are and what they represent.
Because almost every aspect of human life has found its way onto the governmental agenda, those we choose to govern over us – their personalities and beliefs, their virtues and vices – will affect what they do to and for us. “Now, more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature. . . . [I]f the next centennial does not find us a great nation . . . it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces,” (President James A. Garfield, 1876).
While we understand that only God is in control and no matter what happens at the polls, there are no mistakes and everything happens according to God’s purpose (Romans 13:1-7). Yet, when we have a sound theological basis for the campaigns/issues that we support, we send a clear message to the world that our faith, values, and beliefs will not be compromised. We will lift our voices in unison to say that the Christian culture is more important than my socio-economic status, ethnic group, or gender expectations. Now, this does not mean that we would politicize the church or impose our religion upon others, but this does mean that we have a responsibility to live godly and faithful lives using the Word of God as our guide in order to be the conscience of the nation and a witness of Christ no matter what the political climate is.
But the bottom line is that our vote should reflect what we believe. Sending mixed signals by being Christian but not Biblical confuses everyone and devalues the significance of making choices based upon a biblical worldview. Christ followers die to self daily, are becoming less concerned with self proclaimed rights, and seek to do the will of the Father – just like Jesus. Jesus was not concerned about political/religious/cultural agendas; He gave His life for the Kingdom Agenda so that you and I might have life. We live in a post-modern world where everything is subjective – the definition of life, the distinction between a male and a female, the difference between religion and worship – our Christian walk should not be one of them. We have a duty to cast a biblically educated ballot that leaves no question as to who and what we stand for – Christ.
Dountonia is BellaOnline’s Baptist Editor
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