Author: John Page 82 of 166

Psalm 95:1 “O come, let us sing unto the LORD:  let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.  For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”

Matthew 6:16 “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance:  for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast.  Verily, I say unto you, They have their reward.”

General Colin Powell reminds us that “perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.”  A positive attitude is contagious, spreading quickly to uplift any group.  It encourages, it motivates, it challenges, it attracts.

Unfortunately, many Christians follow the path of the pessimistic, gloomy, depressed donkey from Winnie-the-Pooh.  They are Eeyore Christians who wander through lift with an “Ohhh-kayyy” attitude that attracts no one to the cause of Christ.  After all, who would want to follow the person who seems perpetually miserable.

We serve a great God and a great King!  Our attitude should reflect the joy in our hearts and the thanksgiving of our spirits.  This demeanor encourages, motivates, challenges, and attracts.

PLEASE PRAY FOR A POSITIVE, OPTIMISTIC SPIRIT IN THE LIVES OF AMERICAN CHRISTIANS.  We need such a force multiplier!

Ephesians 4:27 “Neither give place to the devil.”

A wedge is one of the six classical simple machines that have been in use for thousands of years.  It is defined as “a piece of hard material with two principal faces meeting in a sharply acute angle, for raising, holding, or splitting objects by applying a pounding or driving force, as from a hammer.”  It works by “converting a force applied to its blunt end into forces perpendicular to its inclined surfaces.”  With just a relatively small amount of force, it can separate objects, lift objects, or secure objects.

A wedge needs only a small opening to operate.  Once placed in an opening, it magnifies force through mechanical advantage that allows it disproportionate effects.

The devil seeks a small opening to operate in the lives of believers.  He does the same to operate in the affairs of a nation.  Once he makes his way into an opening, it magnifies his force and allows him to have disproportionate effects.  In doing so, he can severe relationships, move institutions, and stifle progress.

American Christians need to realize that giving even a small place to the devil can provide inroads into our lives that give the devil advantage.  In many ways, this effect has been evident in our acceptance of sin and acquiescence to the worldliness around that has caused our nation to steadily slide away from God.

PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO SEAL UP THOSE FISSUES THAT GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL IN OUR LIVES.  We must no long accept the small openings that allow the devil a wedge that can impact our lives through mechanical advantage.

Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God:  I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Proverbs 14:9 “Fools make a mock at sin:  but among the righteous there is favour.”

Psalm 37:1-3 “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.  For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.  Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”

It is easy in our flesh to see the victories of the enemies of God and conclude that justice is not being served.  It is simple to be trapped in a human-centered short-term view that discounts the longevity of God’s perspective.  It is natural for us to want immediate justice for the world, and to desire immediate ramifications for rebellion.  It is understandable to be bothered by the mocking spirit of a sinful world.

Instead, we must be still!  We must know that God is in control as we serve Him in this world.  He will be exalted among the heathen, and will be exalted in the earth.  There is favour among the righteous.

Justice will be served!  There will be ramifications for rebellion!

PLEASE PRAY THAT AMERICAN CHRISTIANS WOULD TRUST GOD’S JUSTICE AND GOD’S PLAN.  As we strive for Him, let us be still!

NOTE:  There will not be a post next weekend as I enjoy a vacation with my family.  See you in two weeks!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.  For if they fail, the one will lift up his fellow:  but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”

Several years ago I was able to spend an afternoon at the Pratt & Whitney headquarters and assembly line in Hartford, Connecticut.  Pratt & Whitney is one of three major worldwide advanced engine manufacturers, and they are constantly in stiff competition with Rolls Royce and General Electric.  If there is an industry where business is considered a zero-sum-game, this is it.  A win for one seemingly implies the loss for another.

Interestingly, though, as I wandered through the advanced Pratt & Whitney complex in Hartford I noticed something surprising and encouraging.  Just off the high-tech assembly floor were liaison offices of Rolls Royce and General Electric.  Yes indeed, Pratt & Whitney had employees of their competitors embedded in their operations.  Their rationale for doing so was simple but powerful – even in the most competitive businesses there is a strong need for communication and ample opportunities for collaboration.

This is a great reminder to all of us who call on the name of Christ with like doctrine.  There is a strong need for communication and ample opportunities for collaboration, and we should do so at every opportunity.  Even when we view our partners as competitors, we must remind ourselves that there is outreach to be done and mutually beneficial partnerships to be formed.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO COMMUNICATE AND COLLABORATE WITH OTHER LIKE-MINDED BELIEVERS.  Two are better than one!

Genesis 41:15-16 “And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it:  and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.  And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me:  God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

Several years ago, our church had an amazing lead singer named Elizabeth.  There were several times that I had the opportunity to go up to her after a solo and compliment her amazing talent.  Yet, her response was the same each time – “Praise God!”  While I was intending to compliment her, she wanted to ensure the praise, the glory, the honor, and the credit went to where it belonged.  The power was not in her.  Instead, it was completely in God’s hands, and Elizabeth wanted to make sure that we all knew it.  The Lord deserved it all!

When asked by Pharaoh to interpret his dream, Joseph immediately gave God the praise, the glory, the honor and the credit.  The power was not in him.  Instead, it was completely in God’s hands, and Joseph wanted to make sure that the Pharaoh knew it.  The Lord deserved it all!

PLEASE PRAY THAT AMERICAN CHRISTIANS WOULD GIVE GOD ALL THE PRAISE, THE GLORY, THE HONOR, AND THE CREDIT.  The power is not in us.  Instead, it is completely in God’s hands, and we should make sure that the world knows it.  The Lord deserves it all!