Following any major election many questions form in the hearts and minds of believers and non-believers alike.  In our most recent election “change” was promised and change we got.  When all the votes were counted, for the first time in the history of the United States of America, an African American was elected into office!  This is truly historic!  Many wonder just what kind of changes will occur.

Many are concerned about the possibility of horrible and devastating policies being made into law that will work against the family and the church.  Believers are concerned about things like the redefinition of marriage and other homosexual matters plus abortion issues. Homosexual Marriage is on the threshold in Maine.

The question comes to the minds of many; is the outcome of this presidential election an “act of God”?  Are we getting what we deserve?  Is this somehow God’s judgment on the United States?

The day after the election, I received an interesting email from a friend who had received it from a Rabbi.  Here it is: 

“Shalom dear ones.

This message reaches over 2000 people around the world, but most of you are Americans.  And, in the wake of our election, most of you reading this are probably not pleased with its outcome.

But now is the time for all of us to show ourselves strong in the L-rd.  Now is the time for us to come together in unity for the purpose of G-d and to reach across the divide that has separated us throughout these last long and hard months of the campaign.  Now is the time for all Americans, and especially those of the household of faith, to demonstrate the love of G-d and His sovereignty over our lives.
 
One dear brother suggested this morning that perhaps this was exactly what the L-rd had planned so that He could demonstrate His power in a unique way.  About a year ago, it was prophesied that the next President would enter the White House far from G-d and would come into His family there.
 
G-d is King of the entire universe and He has not been surprised by this day's events.  Now is the time for His people to wait with hope for His glory to be revealed beyond anything we have ever seen.  Now is the time for us to pray with hope in G-d's miraculous power.
 
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Keep praying.
Rabbi Marty & Carol Cohen”

Sometimes people recall the past with slightly misty eyes; remembering by-gone years when we would never have dreamed of a society that applauds immorality such as we have today.  Those precious times have changed because time changes things and when people forget about their God, things get very bad.  All change is not bad. 

Jesus was meticulous in the way He sought to prepare His disciples for the change that was coming with His bodily departure from this world.  He was also careful to encourage them to look forward and be ready for the gift of His Holy Spirit.  Things were not ever going to be the same again.  Change was coming.  Indeed, change was here to stay.  Jesus wanted His disciples to be prepared, to be ready: “I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.”  During this departure speech, Jesus promised to leave His peace with His disciples. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (14:27). 

During the next four years, God alone knows what new challenges we will face as individuals, as families, as churches, as a state, or as a nation.  Some of us may suffer from the unexpected.  People that we currently rely upon may no longer be there to be relied upon.  The spiritual landscape may never be the same.

In John 14:18, Jesus said, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” Jesus was leaving!  He wanted His disciples to be happy for Him for that after His death, resurrection and ascension He was returning to His father (14:28).  However, He was also promising the Holy Spirit to come and live in them as “Counselor”, comforter, encourager, advocate and helper.  To be His witnesses we need the same Holy Spirit.  Let us pray that we will be open to His Spirit.

The words of John 14:1-7 are the marvelous words of Jesus that we have gained comfort from many times; words that are special and dear, in a society that we perceive as anxious and troubled.

It is important to see the context in which Jesus is talking and promising, here.   Some automatically assume it’s in the context of troubles; work, partners, relationships, anxieties, debts, parents, children, cars or those things that are the focus of our troubles, today.  But Jesus’ comments are in the context of Him going away and the disciples are suddenly filled with doubts and troubles over this.  They may have been thinking, “How are we going to cope without you?”

What the world thinks of God, today, illustrates its desperate need for a Spiritual revival.  It is interesting today that we have real problems here in the USA believing in God for various reasons, including the suffering going on elsewhere in the world.  But in the world where Christians are experiencing suffering and poverty, their souls are blossoming!   Such trust and peace in their lives is evidenced!   The reason is because their primary concern is for their relationship with God and Jesus, the state of their souls, and their destination for eternity.  And so they get peace and trust thrown into the deal.   This passage works for them because that’s what it’s about.  Jesus is saying: “You trust God, trust in Me - I will be there.”

So Jesus is asking; "How is your soul?  How is your relationship with Me?  What matters most to you?  Are you concerned about Heaven?"  "If peace evades you, you may have wrong priorities," says Jesus.

In John 14:1-3, Jesus says, "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms [or dwelling places].  If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also."

What a marvelous truth Jesus has given to us here!  What a privilege!  What a relief from the burdens of life to be told by God Himself, "Do not worry, only believe in Me!"   We are given permission, and even commanded; "You do not have to allow your heart to be troubled; just believe in Me."

We have no reason to be uneasy, the Lord is close by - He is near. The Lord is at hand;  To the believers in Philippi, Paul, the Apostle said in 4:5, "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

The Lord does not want our hearts distressed about any facet of life.  Jesus also said it; "Do not be anxious how you are to speak," Matthew 10:19. "Do not be anxious, saying, ’What shall we eat?’ or ’What shall we drink?’ or ’What shall we wear?’" Matthew 6:31. "I want you to be free from anxieties," 1 Corinthians 7:32. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you;" 1 Peter 5:7. "He has said, ’I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we can confidently say, ’The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’" Hebrews 13:5, 6.

The Lord is at hand; He is near, He is standing by, He is close.  Be anxious about nothing.  Believers have no reason for a disquieted heart. "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?  Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation;" Psalms 42:5, 11; 43:5.  In three places, perhaps to emphasize the importance of the question, the psalmist asks, "Why are you cast down, O my soul?"  What reason do you have, O my heart, for being troubled? Put your hope in God.

Do not be shaken in mind.  Do not lose heart.  Do not let your heart be restless.  Trust in Jesus.  Trust in God.  When you go to bed at night, rest your head on the pillow with Jesus’ words: "I will come again and will take you to myself." 1 Peter 1:13 says, "Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

All of life’s worries seem to pale in comparison to the joy of someday seeing Jesus face to face.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience;" Romans 8:18-25

In the same dialogue, in John 16:5-6, Jesus expounded on this by saying, "Because I have said these things to you [concerning My leaving], sorrow has filled your heart.  Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you."  Jesus has gone away to prepare a place for us, and He has given us His Holy Spirit.  His Holy Spirit is our Helper, our Comforter - He calms our troubled hearts.  He is here to help us in our sojourning.  The Holy Spirit He gave to us when He left is that same Spirit who testifies in our hearts that we are sons of God.  He has been put in our hearts and is our guarantee that Jesus will fulfill His word and bring us to Himself.  So; we are of good courage; our hearts are not troubled, we are confident in him.

"In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory;" Ephesians 1:13-14.

Do not be troubled by the condition of the world.  "Believe in God;" He said, "Believe also in Me."

This election may have been a wake-up call to the Church.  It will be interesting to see what God does through those who are fully yielded to Him.  One thing is for sure; the church no longer has the luxury of remaining silent.  We must be good stewards of the Bible based nation that has been passed down to us.

There was a bit of good news on November 4th.  The results bring to 30 the number of states, nationwide, that have affirmed marriage with a constitutional amendment.   In fact, in every state where marriage has been put to a vote, the people have shown their resounding support for this fundamental institution. 

God is not through with the United States of America just yet.  Believers must become activated and vocal in the public square.  The Church must loudly proclaim the truth about holiness and virtur in these dark days.  The culture war suffered a major defeat but it is definitely not over.

Election reflections from the Patriot Post

Colson; The Day After

Colson; Weight Conversations

Lesbians Go To Church

What Same-sex marriage has done to Massachusetts

To learn more about The Maine Family Policy Council, go to http://www.mainefamilypolicycouncil.com/

Sunday November 2nd was the day that many churches around Maine received a love offering for the League.  The matching grant offer is active until Thanksgiving.  This provides some extra Sundays to receive that special offering.  Every donated dollar will be matched. Your offering will be doubled.  Thank you for considering this.  Donations can be mailed to The League at P.O. Box 5459, Augusta, ME. 04332.  The Maine Family Policy Council is asking Churches to consider receiving a special offering before Thanksgiving. Special League Sunday at your church

The League was formed in 1897 to name and confront sin.  We continue to do so because of the love of Christ, knowing that He is the only eternal answer to a sin-infestation.  Psychology isn't enough.  Counselors can't do it.  There isn't enough money in all the world to hire enough politicans and policemen to reign in sin and the devil.  The only solution is both the most costly and least expensive.  The only solution is the righteousness of Jesus Christ - the Gospel.

Consider this your invitation to partner with The Maine Family Policy Council, as we proclaim the uncompromised truth of God’s Word in the public square.  The MFPC has a public voice that churches and even denominations don’t have.  The MFPC is a Home Mission to the legilators in Augusta.  Some Maine churches have included the League in their missions budget for years.  The League started a program called 500-50-5 with a five year goal of engaging the support of 500 churches to support the League at the rate of $50 per month.  Thank you for considering joining other churches who are parterning with MFPC.