Author: imikemedia

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior” (Eph. 4:11 NLT)…

A man was criticized for failing to provide for his family.

Times were hard.

He couldn’t find a job so he decided to go into the fish business.

After his first catch, he set up shop underneath a sign he made: “Fresh Fish for Sale Today”

The first passerby offered a criticism: ‘Why would you use the word today? Everyone knows you don’t want to sell them yesterday or tomorrow. That leaves only today to sell them.’

So he sawed off that last word and mounted the new version: “Fresh Fish for Sale.”

The next passerby asked, ‘Why use the word Fresh? Do you mean to imply that at other times the fish are not fresh?’ Again he changed his sign. Now it said, “Fish for Sale.”

The next critic said, “Why not leave off the words for Sale? Any numbskull would know that’s why you have a fish market?”

Finally, he wound up with only the word “Fish.”

Even then, he still had a critic. The next passerby said, ‘Why do you need to put up a sign at all? Anyone who comes within half a mile of this place knows from the smell what you are selling!’

THOUGHT: Folks who are determined to leave no stone unturned will find something to criticize about any endeavor we undertake.

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Eph. 4:29

“God loves you and I love you and that’s the way it’s gonna be!” – Mike

Christians should do everything within their power to put moral leaders into positions of power in every level of government, whether it be local, state or federal…

Without a doubt, the best way to revolutionize the American nation (or any nation for that matter) is to convert one person at a time to the holy nation that belongs to Jesus Christ, the church (Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Peter 2:5-9; Col. 3:1ff).

Neither the United Nations, the Congress, nor the White House, can pass enough legislation to make the world a better place apart from Christ.

Civil government, in and of itself, is insufficient to save the world.

Having said that, it is apparent that the more righteous the climate of a nation is, the better the chance is of finding receptive hearts for the Gospel plan of salvation.

It is harder to reach souls for Christ in a lawless, immoral society than it is in a society that reveres and respects the moral code of the Bible.

Proverbs 29:2 proves that life is better when the righteous are in authority.

The passage declares: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”

Since the people rejoice when the righteous are in authority, should it not be the goal of every Christian to attempt to put the righteous into places of authority?

Since righteousness exalts a nation (Prov. 14:34), should not every Christian seek to elect officials who adhere to righteous principles and practice?

The stark contrast between a righteous and unrighteous ruler is evidenced on many pages of the Old and New Testament.

Consider the difference between Haman (Esther 3:15) and Mordecai (Esther 8:15).

Read the history of the kings of Judah and Israel and see if the righteousness or unrighteousness of these rulers had any impact upon these nations.

And, what about the ruler Herod?

Did not his attitude toward righteousness affect the people over whom he reigned (Matt. 2:1-3,16-18)?

His subjects did not have the opportunity to vote him out of office for someone better.

They were stuck without the right to vote.

However, those of us who possess the right and privilege to vote can help to determine the moral climate in which our children will be raised.

Accordingly, it is the conviction of this author that Christians, as individuals, should not completely divorce themselves from the consideration of political issues and the election of suitable political officials.

Rather, Christians should do everything within their power to put moral leaders into positions of power in every level of government, whether it be local, state or federal.

We have the opportunity and obligation to try to ‘leaven’ our society by either running for office as individuals or seeking to vote into office individuals who are committed to righteous principles.

Furthermore, these “principles of righteousness” will be as broad as the New Testament and not as narrow as the platform of a particular political party.

Hence, we will look for candidates who are as concerned about the poor as they are the unborn and vice versa.

Please observe that I am not writing this article as a Republican, nor am I writing as a Democrat.

I’m not even writing as an Independent.

I am writing as a Christian.

Whenever I enter the voting booth, I do not enter it as a Democrat, Republican or an Independent.

After all, it wasn’t a Republican or Democrat who died for my sins.

And it won’t be a Democrat or a Republican sitting on the judgment seat on the Day of Judgment.

I belong to Christ.

He died to purchase my redemption.

Therefore, whenever I enter the voting booth, I will remember that the Democratic Party doesn’t own me.

The Republican Party doesn’t own me.

Christ owns me.

That is what the word “Christian” means.

The question is this: When I vote, will I vote as a Christian in name only?

Will my vote reflect Christian principles, or will it help to elect a candidate whose positions are blatantly antagonistic to the moral teaching of the Christ to Whom I belong?

When I vote, will I turn a blind eye to the positions of the candidate I am voting for simply because he/she has a “D” or an “R” after his/her name?

Will my allegiance to the political party for which my family has always voted be greater than my allegiance to Christ?

Pray help me if it is.

What about you? BJ Clarke

“God loves you and I love you and that’s the way it’s gonna be!’ – Mike