CoffeeBreak With The Word

Yes, I watched the Debate to the end last night and at the close I felt only heart-ache. I’ll leave the analysis to others. Those who are committed to one candidate or the other will reach their own conclusions.  The exchanges of words, to me, were mostly campaign rhetoric. A true understanding of the needs of the nation seemed largely absent, God invisible in the words and ideas expressed on that stage. Because of that,  sleep came slowly as I prayed for my country, wondering what kind of nation she will be become in another decade.

America is in a moral crisis the likes of which I have not known in my lifetime. I know that politicians are not preachers, but both ignored the root cause of the issue of our era – the spiritual bankruptcy of the nation.

Millions of us have empty hearts and exist without an anchor outside of ourselves. Indeed, the religion of America is too often the worship of the Self, the highest purpose of millions only to create a  life of self-fulfillment, to avoid both pain and sacrifice. Increasingly we live without a significant reference to God or eternity, ignoring the hunger of the soul.  So many who claim to be Christian chase the same mirage with only a veneer of religion that is described by St. Paul this way – “They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.” (2 Timothy 3:5, NLT)

It is too superficial to simply say – “Jesus is the answer” though true. He is the One who heals us inside out, who bridges the yawning gap between our Father Creator and us. But, the ‘abundant life’ that He offers is much more than enough money, more food, and a great job!  He restores us to our place in the family of God, teaches us to live nobly with purpose, shows us what authentic love is, and leads us home to Heaven where there is a rich reward waiting.  

Tragically many see the failures of church and spiritual leaders and confuse that with a failure of the Gospel.  I believe whole-heartedly that the truth is that  “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” (G.K. Chesterton)

In my 7 decades of life, He has proven Himself gracious and faithful too many times to count.
I have known failure and found Him the One who forgives and leads to life. 
Disappointments, both of my own making and of life in general, have overtaken me many times – when dreams crashed on the shoals of reality- and He has sustained me and renewed my hope!  
Death has brought grief, as it does for all, but He has been the Light of Life, the Way through the grave. 
In Him I have peace – with God, my world, and myself. 
Because of His grace and mercy I am made more than I could ever be in my own pursuit of human potential.

The gift of Christ’s good news about us is not just for a certain class of people or for one race or for one nation. He is the Savior of the world, the Hope of the ages, the Lord of man and woman, of black and white, of rich and poor, of East and West.  Here is how John speaks of Him. “So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. John pointed him out to the people. He shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before I did.’ ” We have all benefited from the rich blessings he brought to us—one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:14-17, NLT)

You need not be a preacher or a theologian to know Him. You need not have a stellar moral record or a life of high achievement to experience His love. He comes to those who turn to Him in faith and leads to new life; indeed He describes it as being ‘born again!’   I hope you know this – America’s future will not be secured by Washington, DC, the election of either party, or continuing economic prosperity. 

That is why I pray so earnestly as He taught – “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10, NIV) Of course, I pray for this nation, thankful to be an American, often wondering ‘why me?’  that I should enjoy such a privileged life among the billions of people on this planet.

Ah, my friend, avoid making Jesus a Therapist or confusing real Christianity with a system of ethics. He is greater – God with us. His Way is the Way to life now and eternal. Trust Him to save and let Him be Lord.

As you reflect on the debate, let these words of warning and encouragement shape your thoughts. The word from the Word –  “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.” (Psalm 20:7-8, NIV)  “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD.” (Isaiah 31:1, NIV)

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(Video of this blog at this link)

Be Thou my Vision

Be Thou my Vision,
O Lord of my heart;
Nought be all else to me,
Save that Thou art
Thou my best thought,
By day or by night,
Waking or sleeping,
Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom,
And Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee
And Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father,
I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling,
And I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not,
Nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance,
Now and always:
Thou and Thou only,
First in my heart,
High King of heaven,
My Treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven,
My victory won,
May I reach heaven’s joys,
O bright heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart,
Whatever befall,
Still be my Vision,
O Ruler of all.

Be Thou My Vision

Hull, Eleanor / Byrne, Mary E.
© Public Domain