GENESIS 20-22
MATTHEW 7
24“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
24“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
JOURNAL
I have to wonder if God tested Abraham here because of the way he had handled Sara and their relationship. He always passed her off as his sister for fear of his own life. He risked hurting others to save his own skin. Here now is the one thing in his life that he wants and loves more than anything and God asks him to destroy it. Abraham was in danger of making Isaac his God. God pushed Abraham and he proved faithful and obedient. Because of this his faith was never questioned and Isaac was spared.
I think this goes right along with Jesus' story of the man who built his house on the wrong foundation. When the tests came...it crashed. It again goes back to the same question...Who is your God and do you obey him?
I have really struggled with this whole election and honestly with the devotion and belief in Donald Trump. Since his initial inauguration I have felt that he is dishonest and self-serving. Obviously, every human is to one degree or another, which therefore includes politicians etc. But I believe that his God is himself. Now that is really dangerous territory and wrong for me to make those kinds of judgements. I have no authority to do so. I do not truly know him so I have no right to make those claims. Yet what disturbs me the most is how diametrically opposed I am in this opinion to people I respect, value and love. There seems to be a commitment and passionate belief in him that I just don't see or understand.
I've really tried to see him differently but I keep coming to the same conclusion. I've questioned myself and my own heart to try and see if I am blinded by some kind of pre-conceived bias and I keep coming round to the same opinion. It's been hard to find my footing here because there is such a divide among people that love him and people that hate him...it really seems to be that most people fall on either side of that divide and it's not just democrat or republican, conservative or liberal.
I have resolved that this is one of those issues that I must leave alone. Otherwise it will drive me to places that are not Godly and are certainly not loving. I must resolve that I see things differently and that is ok. I will not take the bait to hate or question the heart and mind of others. I will not try and convince them of my own opinion but will honor their right to their own opinion. Likewise I will continue to look for the good, as I should in all people. This gives me peace and gives me the resolve to not be consumed with him or this issue. Because ultimately he is not my enemy nor my God...keeping that in proper perspective is the key.
58Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
I have to wonder if God tested Abraham here because of the way he had handled Sara and their relationship. He always passed her off as his sister for fear of his own life. He risked hurting others to save his own skin. Here now is the one thing in his life that he wants and loves more than anything and God asks him to destroy it. Abraham was in danger of making Isaac his God. God pushed Abraham and he proved faithful and obedient. Because of this his faith was never questioned and Isaac was spared.
I think this goes right along with Jesus' story of the man who built his house on the wrong foundation. When the tests came...it crashed. It again goes back to the same question...Who is your God and do you obey him?
I have really struggled with this whole election and honestly with the devotion and belief in Donald Trump. Since his initial inauguration I have felt that he is dishonest and self-serving. Obviously, every human is to one degree or another, which therefore includes politicians etc. But I believe that his God is himself. Now that is really dangerous territory and wrong for me to make those kinds of judgements. I have no authority to do so. I do not truly know him so I have no right to make those claims. Yet what disturbs me the most is how diametrically opposed I am in this opinion to people I respect, value and love. There seems to be a commitment and passionate belief in him that I just don't see or understand.
I have really struggled with this whole election and honestly with the devotion and belief in Donald Trump. Since his initial inauguration I have felt that he is dishonest and self-serving. Obviously, every human is to one degree or another, which therefore includes politicians etc. But I believe that his God is himself. Now that is really dangerous territory and wrong for me to make those kinds of judgements. I have no authority to do so. I do not truly know him so I have no right to make those claims. Yet what disturbs me the most is how diametrically opposed I am in this opinion to people I respect, value and love. There seems to be a commitment and passionate belief in him that I just don't see or understand.
I've really tried to see him differently but I keep coming to the same conclusion. I've questioned myself and my own heart to try and see if I am blinded by some kind of pre-conceived bias and I keep coming round to the same opinion. It's been hard to find my footing here because there is such a divide among people that love him and people that hate him...it really seems to be that most people fall on either side of that divide and it's not just democrat or republican, conservative or liberal.
I have resolved that this is one of those issues that I must leave alone. Otherwise it will drive me to places that are not Godly and are certainly not loving. I must resolve that I see things differently and that is ok. I will not take the bait to hate or question the heart and mind of others. I will not try and convince them of my own opinion but will honor their right to their own opinion. Likewise I will continue to look for the good, as I should in all people. This gives me peace and gives me the resolve to not be consumed with him or this issue. Because ultimately he is not my enemy nor my God...keeping that in proper perspective is the key.
I have resolved that this is one of those issues that I must leave alone. Otherwise it will drive me to places that are not Godly and are certainly not loving. I must resolve that I see things differently and that is ok. I will not take the bait to hate or question the heart and mind of others. I will not try and convince them of my own opinion but will honor their right to their own opinion. Likewise I will continue to look for the good, as I should in all people. This gives me peace and gives me the resolve to not be consumed with him or this issue. Because ultimately he is not my enemy nor my God...keeping that in proper perspective is the key.
58Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 CORINTHIANS 15:58
I understand what you are saying—I think. DT comes off as self-centered.
ReplyDeleteWho, in your opinion, in politics today would be the best type of person to be president? Serious question.
Keep in mind that people like Xi Jinping of China do not respect the Christian doctrine of “turn the other cheek.” They see weakness and will lie and deceive and use your innocence against you and just when you think you have won him over, he will take off the mask and destroy you.
I believe at this point in history we do not need leaders who are sympathetic to evil people. Not aggressive, but not innocent enough to fall for their games.
The WORST president we ever had was Jimmy Carter who got bullied by EVERYONE because he wanted people to think he was Jesus. THERE is an example of overweening hubris— and people like Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, and Mike Pence are guilty of it, as well.
I understand your point, but I do not see an alternative who has the balls to fight hard enough to get elected against the Communist backed democrats.
Personally, I think a self centered Republican beats Communism—although they call it Socialism—wink wink.
That rant out of my system : ) I agree with you. It's over and my team lost, so I am going to give it to God and just try to love Him and His people.
ReplyDeleteLove you!