How Can You See Jesus?

Several years ago the doctor told me that I needed to cut out any added salt on my food when I was diagnosed with elevated blood pressure.  OK, I thought, I can do this.  But, to my dismay, the food tasted so bland.  I searched and searched for something to replace the salt, but I just couldn't get the food to taste as good.  Have you experienced this?
In our lives, Jesus tells us that we are to be "Salt and Light" for the world to taste (Matthew 6).  John Piper tells us:
"To be the salt of the earth and the light of the world means that at root Christians are so profoundly satisfied by Christ as our eternal reward, we are freed from fear and greed for the sacrifices of love, and are able to rejoice at persecution. When the world sees this, they see the glory of Christ and taste the satisfying pleasure of who he is." (15 Days in the Word with John Piper)
When Jesus tells us that we are to be light, what he is saying is that when the world sees us, they are to see Him.  For some in the world, that is too overwhelming and they will attack us and He says that we are blessed when they do so ... it is because they see Him, not us, but since they can't get to Him, they come after the one who reflects Him.  When that which is darkness sees the light coming, it will do one of two things: try to hold onto what it has; or, it will flee.
However, oftentimes, a light in the middle of the darkness will draw some toward it like insects drawn toward a light bulb.  For people who see the light in us and are drawn to it, what they are seeing and hearing is the reflected light from the throne of God.  In other words, they are drawn to Jesus through His disciples.
Once they come to you or me, they begin to see the grace of Christ and they taste the saltiness of it finding that it is indeed very good.  Like food without salt, they have been living their lives totally unsatisfied.  But, now, once they taste the salt of Christ in us, they cannot get enough of it and they find themselves desiring Him.
The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 10:13f that "whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved."  But, he goes on to say, "how can they be saved unless someone is sent" to tell them.  That, my friends, is the salt in those of us who have tasted and received the grace of Christ.
Being salt and light is not a choice, it is a natural by-product of living the grace-life.  However, Jesus also said that there is a possibility that the salt could lose its savor and the light could be put under cover.  When that happens, it means I have walked away from Him.  What?  Does that mean that I am no longer His?  No!  It means that I, as a believer (a child of God), have walked away from Him.  I have stepped into sin.  Like the "Prodigal Son" in one of Jesus' parables, I have chosen to step away from the Father. However, like the prodigal's father, our heavenly Father is waiting for us to come back to Him.  When we do, He receives us with open arms and restores us.
When we walk with the Lord, we are "salt and light" and, trust me, this is so much more enjoyable than walking out there away from Him.
If you have never tasted the salt of God's grace, I would like to talk with you.  Just email me at gevans43@gmail.com.  If you are a child of God and you have been walking "out there," you can come back to Him ... please do come back and remember, like the prodigal son, that it is so much better in the household of faith.

HOW TO PRAY FOR OUR PRESIDENT

HOW TO PRAY FOR OUR PRESIDENT

We are all fascinated every four years as a phenomenon that is unique in the annals of world history takes place: the Inauguration of the President of the United States of America.   As T.V. sets around the world are tuned in, hundreds of millions of people watch this grand example of a truly free nation at its best. No matter which political party has won at the ballot, all of us watch to see the spectacle and ceremony of freedom in action.

The significance of this act, however, goes beyond the event itself as the new president settles down to administer the government of the country.  With the tremendous changes in world order…nations in upheaval, governments toppling, terrorists striking out slaughtering men, women and children for selfish causes, natural disasters occurring killing tens of thousands of people, starvation and disease spreading in third world countries, our president finds himself in a position of being able, in some degree, to influence the course of the world for the future.  Not since the era of the Alexandrian and the Roman empires has one country and its one leader had such tremendous power for changing world politics.  Can one man be a match for the personal responsibility which lies before him?  Will he be a success or a failure?  Whose fault will it be if he fails?  What we will seek to better understand is the degree of our responsibility for his success or failure, not as the world sees it but as God desires it to be.  The question at hand: How do we pray for our president?

I.  WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT THE PRESIDENT

Whether he be president, prime minister or king, the Bible says that the people are to be involved in his life through submission, support, encouragement and prayer…he is a minister of God for this particular time.

A.    1 Timothy 2:1-2

1.     First things first

Notice that Paul’s direction is not pray as a second thought or when things are in turmoil, but “First of all…then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,  for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”

2.     What kind of prayers

a.      Entreaties – “to make an earnest request of or for someone…to ask urgently.”

b.     Prayers – (legal terminology) “a request that the court will grant the aid sought.”

c.      Petition – “a formal request addressed to God on behalf of another.”

d.     Thanksgiving – “a celebration in recognition of divine favor.”

3.     For Whom do we pray

The people of God are instructed to pray for all men, but especially for those who are in authority…”in order that we all may live in peace and tranquility in all godliness and dignity” (2b).

B.    Psalm 75:5-7

“Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak with outstretched neck.   No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt a man. But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.”

God is the One who puts all men into places of authority.  Do we really believe this?  We better for His Word established this fact.  We need to take care what we say about the anointed of God.  Speak against unjust policies, but take care of speaking ill against the person.

C.    Daniel 4:17

In the process of interpreting King Nebuchadnezzer’s dream, Daniel reminds the king that it is God who is ruler over the realm of man-kind.  “The Most High” is the One who gives authority to “whom He wishes.”  Sometimes He even places a very lowly man in that place.

D.    Romans 13:1-7

Paul’s letter to the Roman Christians answers their questions about being in subjection to Caesar.  He tells them, that though they may not agree with Caesar’s rule, they are to “be in subjection to him for “there is no authority except from God.”  We are never to resist the authority placed over us, except where that authority might demand that we go against God’s established principles.  Again, “authority is a minister of God” and we are to “render to all what is due them; tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.”

II. RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS NATION RESTS IN THE PEOPLE

The Constitution of the United States states that this government is “of the People, by the People and for the People.”  The Word of God tells us that a greater nation is being built by Jesus Christ Who is “building His church (the people).”  Whether it is a kingdom on earth or a kingdom in heaven, it is a kingdom of people who are responsible to its authority.

A.    The People Can Move the Hand of God

2 Chronicles 7:14

“If ... My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

By our devotion to prayer, confession, and submission to God’s established authority on earth, we will see the hand of God move and change the life of that authority.   He will either change the heart of the man or he will remove the man.

B.    Voting and Praying

Many people believe that their responsibility ends with voting.  However, voting is not the beginning.  It is secondary and must be wrapped in prayer.  It is not voting or praying, but voting and praying.

III. TEN REQUESTS FOR OUR PRESIDENT

PRAY:

1.     That he would realize his personal sinfulness and his daily need of the cleansing power of Jesus Christ.

2.     That he would recognize his personal inadequacy to fulfill his task and that he must depend upon God for wisdom and knowledge and understanding and the courage to do what he knows is right.

3.      That he would reject all counsel that violates spiritual principles and then to trust God to prove him right. (Really tough)

4.     That he would resist those who would pressure him to violate his God directed conscience.

5.     That by the power of God he would reverse the trends of humanism and socialism in this nation which deify man rather than God.

6.     That he would be ready to reject his personal ambition and his political career if to do so would be to the best interest of this country. (Very hard)

7.     That he would rely upon prayer and the Word of God as his source of strength and courage and wisdom for his daily decisions.

8.     That he would maintain dignity, honor, trust and righteousness in the office of the presidency.

9.     That he would remember to be a good example in his conduct to the fathers and sons of this nation.  And, lastly:

10.  That he would be reminded daily that he is directly accountable to God for his position, for the way he handles himself, for the decisions he makes that will influence not only the present day, but the future of our nation and in some degree, the future of the whole world.  And, that if he does not he will be removed from office by the One who put him there.

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[i] Stanley, Charles,  1992,  How to Pray for the President, Atlanta, GA: First Baptist Church, (Adapted)