Man Of The Year

 

For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Galatians 6: 3 NKJV 

Have you ever followed the tradition of Time magazines "Man of the year" award?  This is where a few select editors of a outdated dinosaur publication get together and give their opinion on just who it is that deserves to be man of the year, or woman of the year.  Mind you, this selection is based strictly on the opinions of the magazine itself.  Through the years they have graced us with men of the year such as Adolf Hitler (1938) and Joseph Stalin (1939, 1942).  Mind you, I've never seen this yearly tribute as anything more than stroking the ego of some underachieving fool who rarely deserves the honor.  General H. Norman Shwarzkopf was once asked who he felt deserved the award.  Not surprisingly, he said that he would bestow that honor on the common soldier, on the men who deserved such a honor.  I agree.  When we talk about ego and pride, we all too often speak of these in others and rarely in ourselves.  We can talk all day long about how arrogant our neighbor is, but we cringe at the very mention of our own pride which is on display every day for all to see.  I will admit that I tend to be a bit prideful at times.  But I will also say that I have learned how to not live only for myself over the years.  Let's face it, we all love the attention and adoration of others, it's part of who we are.  Yet, there is a reason that the apostle Paul warns us of thinking more of ourselves than we should.  See, Paul knew that his ability to teach lay not with him, but with Christ Jesus who was in him {Galatians 2:20}.  Many Christians view Paul as one of the great teachers of the gospel of all time.  Yet, Paul did not seek his own honor.  What he did do was give credit where credit was due...to Jesus.  For, as Paul claimed, he was chief among sinners {1 Timothy 1:13-17}.  Will I, knowing all which Christ has achieved in my own life, hold myself in such a high place of honor?  Well, those who know me understand that it wasn't a twelve step program or fancy sermon that brought about the change in my life.  That honor goes to Jesus alone.  

Also He spoke this parable to those who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.  "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men - extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.  'I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all I possess.'  And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'  "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." 

Luke 18: 9 - 14 NKJV 

I can imagine, back in the day were there such things, that this Pharisee's face would have been plastered all over the pages of Jewish society as a "Man of the year."  Indeed, pride feeds a good many people.  However, look at the reaction of the tax collector.  He understands that it is not he himself that stands in the spotlight...but God.  It is difficult to see that both of the men in this parable of Jesus worship the same God.  Yet, if we were to look closely at our houses of worship today we would come across the very same thing.  Christianity is full of those who walk into church each Sunday brimming with pride over their tithes and contributions to the church.  That's good, the Lord has blessed you, now what will you do with it?  Why do we feel the need to campaign for that man of the year honor?  As I said, I do not consider it my own accomplishment that my life has changed from where I once was.  Why?  Because I understand that without Jesus it would not have been possible.  I can talk all day long of how much I've changed, but in the end it is Christ in me that made the difference.  I was thinking this week, why has Jesus never received a man of the year award?  Indeed, Jesus is recognized as one of the most influential men in history by Christians and non Christians alike.  Yet, in the eyes of Time magazine, he is continually upstaged by hipsters and third world dictators.  Of course, I know the honor which He surely deserves.  Despite being put on the back burner by society, Jesus continues to make Himself known through the lives of those who follow Him.  I'm good with that.

~Scott~ 

Justice For All

 

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.  

Romans 12: 19 NKJV 

Not a day goes by where someone somewhere wishes for justice in some area of their life.  I've seen it more and more often lately.  We've just completed a election cycle where allegations of fraud and cheating have stained the process.  Granted, these are not simply allegations, as we have also witnessed proof of the wrongdoing of certain people and parties.  So what are we, as believers, to do in these situations?  Start a revolt?  Take to the streets and protest?  Well, there are indeed some who have already taken matters into their own hands to help push along what they themselves see as justice.  President Trump, for his part, is pursuing each and every legal challenge that he can to expose this fraud.  That is, of course, his right to do so.  The question I ran across this week might make more than a few believers stop and think.  That is, how does the God we serve see justice?  More than a few times in scripture He tells us, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.'  In other words, He is reminding us, 'Hey, don't worry, I got this.'  Besides, when it comes to revenge, do you honestly feel that you could do a better job than God?  I wouldn't even entertain that question.  One question I would consider is do I have a right to pursue vengeance in order to seek the justice I desire?  Perhaps, but am I not then meddling in God's affairs?  Believe me, there is certainly a good reason that He desires for us to stay out of the revenge business.  Do we really feel that the Lord knows what is truly best for us?  If we do then allow Him to do what He does best.  I had a conversation with a friend last week who actually wondered if God knew what was really happening in our country.  Seriously?  Of course, that thinking comes from the old paradigm lie that we are somehow separated from God.  Yes, we are created in His image, but because of our sinful nature we have been separated from Him...blah blah blah.  The truth is, we have NEVER been separated from God despite our condition.  The apostle Paul introduces us to this reality in a few of his letters.  In Galatians, Paul explains that it is Christ Jesus who lives through us {Galatians 2:20}.  In Romans, Paul deals with our perceived sin condition and lays it to rest {Romans 6:6-11}.  

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.  "Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.'  "And he would not for awhile; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.' "

Luke 18: 1 - 5 NKJV 

What I love about the parable Jesus spoke of the widows plight is that she never lost hope that she would receive justice even from someone who did not fear the Lord.  I recall a pastor saying once that the lesson learned from this passage was that we were to pray continually to "nudge" God in the direction we wanted Him to go.  Yeah, good luck with that.  Besides, if Jesus truly lives through us, can we not trust that He knows already what we are feeling even before we ask Him?  I believe so.  For centuries, popular Christian teachings have instructed us to pray, and pray and pray some more until we receive the desired result.  Is God similar to the judge who grew weary of the widow showing up every day?  If so, will He tire of us coming to Him all the time?  Thankfully, that would be out of character for God.  Nevertheless, too many Christians have seen the Lord at one time or another as a "name it and claim it" type of God.  I've been there.  The trouble with that is, when our prayers aren't answered, our immediate instinct is to think that we've somehow upset God.  That is a dangerous and lonely cycle.  So, how is it that we should view the Lords justice?  Well, for starters, we need to allow Him to work in these situations.  Trust me, He knows how we feel.  He knows how we hurt.  And, He knows how we feel slighted.  Obviously, our take on justice often does not fall in line with His.  Would we have mercy on one who was harming another?  Well, God would.  Which is why He continues to assure us, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.'

The one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If you are the Christ, save yourself and us."  But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  "And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."  Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when you come into Your kingdom."  And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." 

Luke 23: 39 - 43 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

Was That Me?

 

That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4: 22 - 24 NKJV 

Not too many people think of the holiday season with bad memories.  For most of us, the holidays are a time of family, sharing and coming together in celebration of a special season.  Although we often lose sight of the reason for this season which is upon us, of the promise kept which began with a infant in a manger.  Whatever your reason for seeing the holidays as special, you undoubtedly may have already began your celebrations.  I'm a bit different.  For me the holidays do not represent coming together...but loss.  See, it was on Christmas eve that my mother was brought into the hospital for the last time.  Shortly after that she passed away.  So, yes, I still see the Christmas season as one of loss.  Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy the holidays, just not some of the memories.  Why do I mention this?  This past week as I was thinking about the coming Christmas season my thoughts also carried me to a few times which I'm not so proud of.  Of course, then I began to think along the lines of if my mom ever forgave me for behaving that way.  Well, I know that she did because she made a point to tell me whenever she could.  How many of us, in times of doubt, dig up those old memories of times gone wrong?  Times where we, even though we knew better, decided to behave in a way that others told us was not in our nature.  As I think back on a few of those times I wonder...was that really me?  Was that who I really am?  Thank goodness, the answer to both of those questions is NO.  Yet, this opens up a interesting discussion among believers and non believers alike about our own thoughts and behaviors.  Now, I know that the misbehaving scallywag that I resembled more than a few years ago is based on a lie.  Simply put, I didn't know any better about the man I really was inside.  Not only that, it wasn't until I really came to know and understand Christ that I realized that the old man, who I once believed I was, was dead.  

Knowing this, that our OLD MAN was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.  For he who has died has been freed from sin.  Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more.  Death no longer has dominion over Him.  For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.  Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6: 6 - 11 NKJV 

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that very few of us, when we behave badly, realize that we are living a lie.  When I think back on those moments in my own life, the last thing on my mind was saying 'Hey, this isn't the man that I am.'  Instead, we dwell on those tried and true human emotions of ours which tell us that the other guy deserved it or that we ourselves had somehow been cheated.  Whatever way we try and sugar coat our misdeeds, it all leads to one reality...that isn't who we really are.  The apostle Paul gives us a glimpse into the reality of who we truly are in Galatians.  For Paul, that old church persecutor was dead.  Now, if you think you have bad memories of times you behaved badly, try imagining some memories Paul might have conjured up.  This man who single handedly was responsible for the persecution and death of many followers of Jesus.  That is, until the day when God revealed to him who he truly was {Galatians 1: 15-16}.  Likewise, the same Jesus who was in union with Paul is also in union with us as well {John 17:21, Galatians 2:20}.  Now, notice the scripture in Galatians 1, where Paul claims that the Lord chose to 'Reveal His Son in me.'  It is my belief that Jesus was always Paul's real identity, he just did not realize it until the day it was revealed to him.  We know that we are created in the Fathers image {Genesis 1:27}.  We also know that God breathed into us the breath of life {Genesis 2:7}.  How can we then claim that God has not been a part of us from the very start?  Whether we realize it or not, it is Jesus who has always been our one true identity.  That is who I am.  

Last night I dreamed I died and stood outside those pearly gates

When suddenly I realized there must be some mistake

If they know half the things I've done they'll never let me in

~Love Without End~  George Straight

~Scott~ 

The Man Jesus

 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  

Hebrews 4: 14 - 15 NKJV 

Have you ever felt that Jesus does not know you?  That He could care less about the problems in your life?  If you've been a Christian for as long as I have, then these thoughts have surely gone through your mind at one time or another.  A lot of this comes from our own view of Christ, how it is that we see Him.  Do we see Jesus as the popular church teachings tell us, as a deity who resides in heaven at the Fathers side?  Well, the scriptures do tell us that upon His resurrection that Jesus indeed ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father {Ephesians 1:20}.  This verse only seems to solidify the lie that we ourselves are separated from God.  We've been told that we are but sinners unworthy of the Lords presence {Romans 3:23}.  We are also taught that God cannot be in the presence of sin {Psalm 5:4}.  So, where does that leave us?  Well, if you believe trust the teachings of the institutional church, you might just believe that you have no hope of ever knowing Jesus on a personal level.  That the best we can ever do is to somehow "Be like" Jesus...if we're good enough.  It is this hamster wheel of guilt and shame that has driven many a Christian into confusion when it comes to Christ.  Take it from me...it sucks to live this way.  But believe me when I tell you that there is something better out there.  See, that image we have of a Jesus who is removed from our life is simply not true.  No, I'm not a heretic, but I have been known to associate with a few of them.  True, those who claim that Jesus is separated from us have a few cherry picked verses to validate their own image of Jesus, but so do those of us who see Jesus for who He truly is.  The apostle Paul tells us that not only is Jesus among us today, but that He lives on in us {Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:8}.  Now, if you're one who has trusted the church teachings, this might come as a shock to you as it did to me.  

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Philippians 2: 5 - 8 NKJV 

Think about that for a minute.  Jesus, being in the form of the Father, humbled Himself to the point that He became as a man.  So, when you hear someone speak of the man Jesus, this is what they are referring to.  It is important for all who seek the truth about Jesus to understand that Jesus was, and is, God in the flesh.  It is the man Jesus who took my place on the cross {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  It is also Jesus in the flesh who lives through me today.  Part of our podcast discussion this week centered on the truth that the only way that the Father will be known by His creation is through us.  That's right, others will see God through Jesus who lives in you {Matthew 5:16}.  Once we realize this truth about Jesus, it's not very difficult to realize His presence in other areas of our life.  Indeed, if He is revealed in us, then we understand that Christ shares in everything that we will ever experience.  That kind of puts a positive spin on our worst days doesn't it?  It has never been the Lords intent to leave us wandering alone in this world.  However, it HAS been the Fathers intent that we would be united with Him {John 14:21}.  Through the man Jesus, that truth has been realized.

"You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5: 14 - 16 NKJV

~Scott~ 

What About Me?

 

Also He spoke this parable to those who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus to himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men - extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.  'I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'  And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'  "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." 

John 18: 9 - 14 NKJV 

I was thumbing through a self help book the other day when something caught my eye.  It seems that the author had a surefire way to start a conversation and make anyone feel at ease.  That secret, is to encourage anyone you meet to talk about themselves.  Now, to some this might sound whacky, but I saw a bit of truth in his theory.  Indeed, we as humans have the undying knack of hyping ourselves when nobody else seems willing to.  We all too often seek the limelight.  We desire the compliments of the job well done.  I get it.  I've talked well about myself from time to time as well.  Perhaps the reason that getting someone to talk about themselves in a conversation doesn't seem too hard to do is because we do it so well?  Just a thought.  Now, I don't see anything wrong with doing this, as long as others around you aren't preparing a shallow grave while you're doing it.  That is, if you are talking positively about yourself and those around you agree, then you're good.  I see that as a form of affirmation if you will.  However, if you ever find yourself speaking compliments about yourself and others do not seem interested, your best bet is to abandon the conversation post haste.  Just a little advice on how to win friends and influence people.  In Christian circles, self advertising is all too often seen as being haughty, arrogant or prideful.  But, where do we draw the line?  Well, let me give you a example.  In the past few months, I've gotten quite good at my weight training at the gym.  So much so, that I've been able to press some impressive weight totals.  Now, if I were thinking as Jesus, I would explain that it was through Him that I've been able to accomplish my goals.  However, I could also tell everyone who would listen that it was my abilities alone that allowed me to reach such heights.  Which one of these statements shows the most arrogance?  I'll make it a bit easier, whenever we we place ME above HE...we're going down the wrong path.  What am I without God?  What good are my abilities had not the Lord breathed the breath of life {Genesis 2:7} into me?  Indeed, it doesn't take much to see that, apart from God, we are nothing.  As the Lord is all in all, so He is in all we will ever see or experience.  

But "he who glories, let him glory in the LORD."  For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

2 Corinthians 10: 17 - 18 NKJV 

I have known a good many people who have been good at a good many things.  I've also known a good many people who have had no issues with pointing out how good it is that they are.  Usually, when I hear someone talking like this my first thought is, 'where is God in all of this?'  Maybe I'm far too humble at heart, but I also recognize that God is to have a significant place in our lives.  One of my main goals is to someday organize these blog posts into a publication of some sort.  If that is where the Lord leads me, then His will be done.  I believe that in order for us to avoid the pitfalls of pride, that Jesus needs to be the central piece of all that we do.  After all, it is Christ Jesus with whom I share everything with.  It is Jesus who lives through me {Galatians 2:20}.  The apostle Paul assured us of this truth.  Can I ever rise above the glory of Jesus?  Through my own pride I might just think that I can.  Remember, Lucifer also had false thoughts of being greater than God {Isaiah 14: 13-13}.  It was also the deceiver who claimed the lie to Adam and Eve that they could be separate from God {Genesis 3:4-5}.  It is this lie which has done much damage to our own relationship with Jesus.  Jesus prayed that we would be one with He and the Father {John 17:21}.  Yet, contemporary Christianity continues to claim that there is a separation between ourselves and God.  The most which we can hope for, it seems, is to 'be like' Jesus.  Well, at risk of being seen as arrogant, I AM Jesus.  Indeed, if Jesus lives through me and experiences all which I do, I am part of Him.  This is the answered prayer of Christ we see in John 17.  Through Jesus, we are one with the Father.  So, knowing this, is there anything we will ever accomplish that Jesus has not already had a hand in?  Yes, I've made some great strides in my exercise goals, but I accomplished that as Christ who is in me.  Whatever it is you are thinking you're good at, it is but a extension of the Lord Jesus within you.

For who makes you differ from another?  And what do you have that you did not receive?  Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? 

1 Corinthians 4: 7 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

Brothers

"Lieutenant Welsh remembered walking around the sleeping men, and thinking to himself that 'they had looked at and smelled death all around them all day but never dreamed of applying the term to themselves.  They hadn't come to fear.  They hadn't come to die.  They had come to win."

Stephen Ambrose ~ E Company, 101st Airborne 

It's interesting to witness it when you see it.  Even more interesting to become a part of it.  That being the evolution of a group of men from mere acquaintances into a group that will literally walk through hell for their brothers.  History is full of stories of these groups of men who came together to form bonds which were never broken, even after their calling had come to an end.  The Tuskegee airmen, bonding together in their fight against not only the Germans, but the racial divide in their own country.  The young men of the 1980 United States Olympic hockey team, who bonded together to defeat perhaps the best team the sport had ever known.  Then there were the "Band of Brothers" of E company of the 101st Airborne division in World War Two.  From the chaos of Normandy to the end of the war, these men fought, bled and died as one.  Whether it is the hell of war or a common belief that brings a group of common men together, it is always interesting to see the interaction within the group.  While we're not a large group, I enjoy a bond with a small group of fellow believers, some of whom I've known for some time.  However, as I thought about this writing, something else more interesting caught my attention.  Twelve men with perhaps nothing in common other than a few who shared the occupation of fishing for a living.  There were a few fisherman, a tax collector as well as a religious zealot prone to stoking calls for rebellion amongst the Jewish people.  Who would have ever thought that such a ragtag group could ever be molded into something positive?  Nobody...but Jesus.  As Jesus began His ministry, He called each and every one of these twelve men to follow Him.  One has to wonder the reactions of these men as Jesus invited them to "Come and see" {John 1:39}.  As we ourselves consider the possibilities of giving our lives to Jesus, we are faced with the same decisions which the twelve disciples also were.  What if I'm wrong?  What if He leads me astray?  This is all based on fears of the unknown.  The advantage that we have over these men is that we have the advantage of history on our side.  We already know where it is that Jesus will lead us.  If we are indeed willing, He will walk the journey with us.

Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, 'What do you seek?"  They said to Him, 'Rabbi (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), "where are you staying?"  He said to them, "come and see."  They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).

John 1: 38 - 39 NKJV 

So it is that Jesus called to Himself a group of twelve key followers who would not only follow Him, but live amongst Him as well.  Yes, there were others who followed Jesus from time to time, but this group of men were the core group who followed, and learned from Jesus during His ministry.  It is with this group that Jesus spent His ministry teaching and preparing for His death.  I've often wondered what it would have been like as one of the disciples of Jesus.  Of course, we know a lot of what the day to day life of these men was already.  Fishing, listening and learning from Jesus.  But these disciples of Jesus also shared life with the Lord.  That is, they shared good times as well as bad.  They shared jokes and stories as well as their experiences.  The truth is, I might long to know what sharing life with Jesus would have been like, but in a matter of speaking we already have an idea of this experience.  The apostle Paul tells us in a few various scriptures that we live with Christ Jesus today.  Paul reveals to us that it is Jesus who lives is us {Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:8}.  Not only do we get the benefit of walking side by side with Jesus, but we can also stake the claim that we (gasp!) are Jesus.  Now, try relating that truth to some pastor sometime and you may get mocked as a heretic, but is scripture really disputable?  The Lord spoke it, so it must be true?  I do not disregard scripture simply because it is difficult to understand.  I imagine that some of the teachings of Jesus were difficult for the disciples to comprehend as well.  No matter, I'm happy to be among my group of brothers. 

~Scott~ 

God And Politics

 

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.  Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgement on themselves.  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil.  Do you want to be unafraid of the authority?  Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.  For he is Gods minister to you for good.  But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is Gods minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.  Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake.

Romans 13: 1 - 5 NKJV 

In all of the turmoil of our recent elections I've lost sight of one very important thing.  I was reminded of this the other day while talking to a friend about the eventual outcome of the election.  He told me that whichever way the election swings, it is God who orchestrated it, not the human voter.  No truer words were ever said.  As emotional beings, we often get lost in the emotions of politics.  That benefits nobody.  It seems that the days are gone where we would look at the two candidates, see where they stood on important issues and base our decision on what matters most to us.  No longer.  For now we have the "party voters" who vote for a particular candidate because he or she is a member of certain political party.  I'm not gonna lie, I've been guilty of that a time or two myself.  But, where does that get us?  Do we ignore a candidate, chosen by the Lord, simply because they don't reside within our chosen political party?  This year my choice was rather easy, I voted for the one man who had the can do attitude and actually implemented policies to help our nations citizens.  That man is Donald J Trump.  Yes, I benefited from his tax cuts, but so did millions of other American voters.  Another aspect of Trump that I admire is that he is unabashedly proud of his country.  I will stand behind that all day long!  Contrast that with Joe Biden, the candidate who barely left his basement throughout the entire campaign.  Granted, we've had virus issues to deal with, but that did not stop Donald Trump.  So, out of the two men whom the Lord presented to us, I chose the one who I felt benefited the country the most.  So sue me.  Looking at the two candidates as being placed before us by the Lord puts this election in a entirely new perspective.  No matter the outcome of Donald Trumps election challenges, it is God who will seat in the White House whom He desires to accomplish His will.  

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "vengeance is mine, I will repay," says the Lord.

Romans 12: 19 NKJV 

There is another reason that I'm rooting for Donald Trump to succeed in his election challenge.  Some time ago a good friend of mine, who remains in exile in Hawaii, struck a deal on a side bet on who would win the election.  Yes, I know that it's not the most Christian way of doing things, but it was all in good natured fun.  So it is that I have a dog in the fight in this election challenge.  That being said, it does not change the fact that it is God who will ultimately decide this contest.  I guess I kind of feel better, knowing that God is indeed in charge of this situation.  But what if God chooses the candidate I didn't vote for?  Did God miss the boat somehow?  Not really.  However, it is thinking such as that which takes God out of the equation and injects ourselves into it.  Thinking that if a certain candidate wins that all hell will break loose.  That if a certain man wins a election that everything we know and love will come crumbling down.  Well, how would you feel about God if everything you loved came crumbling down apart from a election?  How did Job react when he lost all he had?  Despite his loss, Job remained faithful {Job 2:10}.  Shall we indeed accept good from God but not accept adversity as well?  They go hand in hand.  Job knew in his heart that despite all that raged around him, that the Lord was still in control of it all.  Dare I say that this kind of faith takes a strong believers heart.  I was struck the other day by a town hall interview which former president Barack Obama did on PBS.  A gun rights conservative in the audience asked the president what he would do in relation to gun rights in the wake of recent gun violence in the country.  Now, Barack Obama was not a big fan of the second amendment, that much he made clear in his campaign and presidency.  But as he stood and faced this republican in the audience, Obamas answer was blunt and to the point.  Obama said that, in his time in office to date, that no effort had been made to restrict the second amendment.  Furthermore, he claimed that were such an effort to be made, that the congress and the National Rifle Association lobby would be a huge hurdle to climb.  I respected him for that.  I might not agree with all Obama did, but in that moment, he had my support.  Now, we await the outcome of whatever challenges Donald Trump will bring to a election he sees as unjust.  I just want to win my bet.  

Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast to your integrity?  Curse God and die!"  But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks.  Shall we indeed accept good from God and shall we not accept adversity?"  In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Job 2: 9 - 10  NKJV 

~Scott~